Portzei HaDerech Recreation Area in Rabin Park

The recreation area has picnic tables, next to which are explanatory signs about the missions of the Palmach's Sixth Battalion during the War of Independence. The battalion's main mission in the first months of the fighting was to secure the road to Jerusalem. About 200 m west of the recreation area, a staircase leads to the top of a small hill where a small village called Khirbet Zunuqleh (Zunuqleh Ruins) used to exist and now is the site of the Portzei HaDerech Memorial to those who broke through to Jerusalem. The Memorial is the work of sculptor Naomi Henrik. The Diefenbaker Trail begins at the recreation area – a road suitable for all vehicles which goes down Command Post Ridge to Sha’ar HaGai.
 
Directions: When coming from Jerusalem, drive on Route 1 towards the Shoresh Interchange. Just before the junction, near the Km 45 marker, turn right into the traffic circle and the recreation area. When coming from Tel Aviv, turn right at the Shoresh Interchange towards Beit Meir. At the next traffic circle, about 250 m away, turn right, back towards Tel Aviv. The road leads to the traffic circle that is the beginning of the Diefenbaker Trail.
Portzei HaDerech recreation area. Photograph: Yakov Shkolnik, KKL-JNF Photo Archive
Portzei HaDerech recreation area. Photograph: Yakov Shkolnik, KKL-JNF Photo Archive