Rummana to Burqin
Hike through the olive groves of the north and visit the ancient church of Burqin.
This 17km long stage starts at the village of Rummana, which in Arabic means pomegranate. Rummana, located around 17km northwest of Jenin, is the most northern village of the West Bank.
The village is located on a hill slope which conceals traces of ancient remains, including cisterns and caves carved into the rock. The village is well known for the abundance of its olive trees, some of which are said to date back to the Roman times (63 BCE-324 CE).
Further on, the trail leads towards a hill overlooking the town of Ti’innik, located just next to the ancient Canaanite site of Tell Ta’annek, strategically positioned along the ancient trade route – Via Maris. From there colorful fields of Marj Ibn Amer (or Jezreel Valley) are clearly seen in the background.
The destination of this stage is the town of Burqin, famous for its 4th century Church of St. George. The church is considered one of the oldest churches in Palestine. It was built to commemorate the spot where Jesus Christ had stopped in his path in order to heal the ten men who suffered from leprosy.
Most important thing in a Hike is to stay Hydrated & Full ! So you need to bring some few things to make sure you are always Hydrated & Full:
- At Least 3L of water, and refresher like juice.
- Snacks, Fruits or Vegetables.
- However, Food and water can be purchased in Rummana.
You can reach Rummana from Jenin with a shared taxi for around 5 NIS.
Always remember the following tips:
- check the weather before you go.
- Always use sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses).
- During the summer season wear light but modest clothes. During the winter season you need to wear warmer jacket – mornings and evenings are usually cold.