Bicycle rental for hotel guests
New at the Gordonia Hotel!
We are always looking for new ways to treat our guests…
And now we’re offering bicycle rental. Who says you can’t have it all?
Enjoy a leisurely ride through the countryside at your own pace.
There’s no better way to take in the breathtaking landscapes!
The hotel is perfectly situated for bicycle trips.
We have prepared a road map to ride around and in Kibbutz Ma’ale Hachamisha.
You are welcome to enjoy the magical views of the Jerusalem mountains, to breathe freely in nature, and to work out a bit on the way…
- Special rates for hotel guests (payment at the living room)
- 30 NIS for two hours / 50 NIS for a whole day
About the kibbutz and the track
Kibbutz Ma’ale Hachamisha is located west of Jerusalem atop of one of the highest peaks in the Jerusalem mountains, at an altitude of 810 meters. On a clear day, the view stretches out from the Judean foothills to Carmel. South of the kibbutz are Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim and the village of Abu Gosh, and to the east is the village of Har-Adar. Near the kibbutz, to the north, is the border of Israel that was set until the Six-Day War, and the Israeli West Bank barrier was built along this route.
On December 19, 1937, five members of the “BaMa’ale” youth movement were killed near the top of the mountain. Six months later, on July 19, 1938, as part of the movement of the “Wall and Tower,” Kibbutz Ma’ale Hachamisha was founded, named in the memory of the five who perished.
In 2005, the kibbutz changed the way of life of its members. Today, Ma’ale Hachamisha is a “renewed kibbutz”, in which each member is responsible for their own livelihood. However, the kibbutz still remains responsible for the welfare of its members in terms of social services, nursing care, and social security. Today (as of the end of 2015), there are 319 members in the kibbutz, eighty residents and their children.
Bicycle trip to the Kibbutz 'Ma'ale Hachamisha' - Tourist Information
Cowshed
The herd comprises about 300 cows and 150 calves. The calves are sold; all the milk yield is delivered to Tnuva.
The milk quota is 3,400,000 liters per year.
Visiting Policy: Visitors are welcome, however they are requested not to enter the enclosed nursing calves’ area (still in cages).
Milking hours: 4:30–7:30; 12:00–15:00; 19:30–22:00.
View from the barn
Below us is the kibbutz fence, just below which is the West Bank barrier. Past the West Bank barrier on the slopes of the ridge and in the valley is the village Qatna. The village Haradar is located to the east. Look to the west, far toward the horizon, and you can see Modi’in and Modi’in Illit. On a clear day, you can even see the Judean Foothills.
Ruthie Garden (Gan Haslaim)
Ruthie Garden was once called the Rock Garden, but today it bears the name of a beloved kibbutz member who passed away several years ago. In her memory, several pleasant seating areas were created in the heart of the forest. There are delightful small wooden houses for children to explore, and at the end of the trail, you will find a magnificent observation platform.
View from the platform
On the opposite side you can spot the villages of Qatna and Tel Kfira. Tel Kfira is an archaeological hill, north of Qatna.
Kfira is a biblical city mentioned in the Book of Joshua as one of the cities of the Giv’onim, which made peace with the Israeli people. Later on, it is mentioned as one of the cities of the tribe of Binyamin and a place to which the Babylonian exiles came back during the times of the Return to Zion. Its name is derived from lion, Kfir in Hebrew, an animal that was common in Israel in biblical times. Kfira is commonly identified with Tel Kfira which is near the village Qatna. Today Nahal Kfira and Ein Kfira, located near the village, are named after it.
Dining room
The impressive building was designed by architect Arthur Goldreich and was inaugurated in 1970. It served as a dining room until 2005, and since then it serves as the community center for the kibbutz.
Beit Tzila
The concrete building, painted in a bright orange-pink color, was established as a cultural center for the residents of Ma’ale Hachamisha in 1947. It was designed by the architect Uriel Schiller. The building was named after Tzila Nevet, a member of the kibbutz who was killed in 1945 during an attack on a children’s field trip to Masada, which she accompanied. The highlight at Beit Tzila today is the large, three-wall mural. The fifteen-meter long painting was made in the 1950s by the artist Sheldon Schoenberg. It is now considered to be one of the largest and most impressive murals in Israel, a unique masterpiece. We highly recommend trying to see it during your visit to Ma’ale Hachamisha.
