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Naturerelations. And it has paid off handsomely.” Last year,says Hagay, “together with the Regional Council, weinvited the Palestinian Authority for an event in theGilboa. It was a great success for future co-operation.Our motto is - Let’s walk together and work together.”End Of The TrailThe Gilboa Big Walk ends at the Spring of Harod whichflows from Gideon’s Cave. This is the place whereGideon gathered his men before fighting the Midianites.Judges 7:1 describes how, “Gideon, and all the peopleCharles Wingate, a British intelligence officer who wassympathetic to the Jewish people fighting for a nationalhomeland.Wingate organized special night brigades composed oflocal Jewish settlers, who operated from his headquartersat Kibbutz Ein Harod.Soaked in history, and sweating with perspiration,thousands of walkers from all over Israel and abroadmake their way to the green lawns of Ma’ayan Harod.The atmosphere is one of a carnival with music anddancing and the smell of barbeques.Many of the young participants were wearing theIsrael Sport for All AssociationFamily Affair. Walking the Gilboa attracts whole families from grandchildren to grandparents.that were with him, rose up early, and pitched besidethe well of Harod, so that most of the Midianites wereon the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in thevalley.” It was here that Gideon administered the ‘watertest’ (see box) as a way of choosing the warriors for thecoming battle (Judges 7:4-7).Today it is a nature reserve with the second largest poolin Israel, sprawling lawns, a picnic area, shaded bytowering eucalyptus trees. Aside from Gideon’s Cave,visitors can view the remains of an ancient aqueduct,a memorial to soldiers who died fighting on Mt. Gilboaand the home of Yehoshua Hankin, the “Redeemer ofthe Valley” (see box) which is today a museum and alookout to the valley. The tombs of Hankin and his wifeOlga are located here as well.The Harod Spring also served as one the first trainingbases for the Palmach (special strike force) under Ordeuniforms of their youth movements. The writer hadheard them earlier, singing inspiring songs from theirmovement as they descended the serpentine pathsdown the Gilboa. Following the arrival of the lastwalkers crossing the finish line and collecting theirmedals and certificates, Hagay Herzel takes to the stageand welcomes everyone. Clearly he is so proud that thisannual event has emerged so popular attracting eachyear more and more overseas visitors.For visitors to Israel who enjoy natural beauty coupledwith a hunger not only for local cuisine but local history– from ancient to the present - why not set aside a dayand ‘Take a hike’.You will not regret it.For information about walking tours and sights contact Ma’ayanHarod information center 3639 from inside Israel or emailmoked@npa.org.ilSpring-Summer 201232