Khirbet al-Mird to Tal al-Qamar

Tal al-Qamar which in Arabic means Hill of the Moon, remote from the hustle and bustle of the city life, is a perfect spot to watch a full moon or stargaze.

Warning: Travelers are advised not to hike this stage alone or in small groups due to security risks near Khirbet al-Mird. It’s highly recommended to be accompanied by one of the certified guides that are listed on Palestine Heritage Trail website for your safety.

The winding trail takes hikers down into the Kidron Valley full of various in size caves that in the Byzantine times were inhabited by monks. There can be also found a spectacular Mar Saba Monastery with few Byzantine wilderness monasteries matching its serenity and beauty. The cluster was named after Saint Saba (439-532 AD), who settled in a cave opposite the site to live in complete seclusion. The area is a perfect spot to take a break and enjoy the view and the atmosphere.

The trail then takes walkers through hills and valleys leading to the Tal al-Qamar area. There, in the middle of the wilderness, can be found a guesthouse with a Bedouin type like lounge where hikes can have a homemade meal, relax and overnight

Elevation Profile

Khirbet al-Mird to Tal al-Qamar  Stage Elevation Profile

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Service Providers

Bethlehem Guides

Bethlehem - Wi’am Al-Masalha
Bethlehem – Wi’am Al-Masalha
“life is a game we have to win “ Wi’am began working as a guide on The Palestinian Heritage Trail, and found her passion and love for the environment which made her study tour-guiding in the university and develop herself by taking various courses in leadership and first aid. She is known for being a
Bethlehem - Usama Zughbi
Bethlehem – Usama Zughbi
"Making you fall in love with my country is my mission… I am looking forward to meeting you!" “The walkers I guide is my home guests and my joy comes from their happiness” Usama. Usama is married and a father of three children. He is an English-speaking tour guide in Bethlehem as well as different
Bethlehem - Riziq Ghyada
Bethlehem – Riziq Ghyada
“Your patriotism lies in your knowledge of your country and the way you talk about it.” Riziq, “The national guide”, so called by many people, is an agricultural engineer and a community tour guide in all areas of the West Bank. Riziq cares about various environmental plants, and his love for nature and land has
Bethlehem - Nidal Rishmawi
Bethlehem – Nidal Rishmawi
Working as a guide means responsibility towards my country. I love my work for it gives me the opportunity to meet new people from different cultures and nationalities. It also gives me the opportunity to spend as much time as possible in nature with people who are interested and who appreciate it. Nidal Rishmawi is
Bethlehem - Nadine Al-Yateem
Bethlehem – Nadine Al-Yateem
"For me, guiding is a hobby not a job, I wanted to know my country and for that reason I studied it. Unfortunately, I didn’t know a lot of things about my country back then, and now I am sure that I will discover more and more each time I walk". "I think the most
Bethlehem - Muhammad Al-Qurna
Bethlehem – Muhammad Al-Qurna
Help people, enjoy nature, get to know your country, and reflect a beautiful picture of it to the world. Muhammad Al-Qurna lives in Handaza, which is east of Bethlehem, with his wife and three children. He graduated from Hebron University in 2013 with a Masters Degree in Agriculture. One day he read an announcement on
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 Women Associations in Bethlehem

Tuqu’ Women’s Center
Tuqu’ Women’s Center
They meet together in their office space on the second floor of the municipal building in Tuqu’ and proudly open their doors to visitors. Around the room many different handcrafts are displayed. Among the various embroidered dresses, shirts, purses and pillows, a display of handwoven rugs catches your eye. The rugs are made by women who know the time-honored
Shawawreh Women’s Association
Shawawreh Women’s Association
:“Shwawreh Women Center”, When reaching Shawawra village, located east of Bethlehem, make sure that you will pass by the women cooperative in which visitors are always welcome. The women offer special breakfast containing al Duqqa that contains wild thyme which is seasonal. The women at the cooperative say that “the Duqqa is found in each
Ezariya - Cooperative of Rural Development
Ezariya – Cooperative of Rural Development
aizariya-women-center-1[1]DSC03222-e1636710810132[1] “Al Eizariya Cooperative for Rural Development” Due to the fact that women of al- Aizaria village are suffering Economically and Socially, the women of Cooperative for Rural Development have been working on enhancing and changing the situation of the women in the village. They are happy to meet new people, to share their stories
Dar Salah Women’s Association
Dar Salah Women’s Association
“Dar Salah Women’s Association”. Focusing on women and community empowerment and targeting children, youth, poor people and special needs, the women’s center of Dar Salah has been networking with other women centers, cooperating with many local authorities as well as centers for special needs to make a change in the society.  It has been arranging
Bethlehem - Nabd Women Center
Bethlehem – Nabd Women Center
“Nabd women center”. Their main activities: food processing- pastries, trainings on handicrafts and Palestinian Labor Law. Their products: Pickles, Jam, Pastries, Desert Palestinian food, Handicrafts (embroidery, and straw) Facebook Page Samerah Odeh/ Head Women Telephone Number:0598321720 Email: popw.bethlehem@gmail.com Accommodation Guides {{ vc_btn: title=Next&color=success&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fphtrail.org%252F2018%252F07%252F25%252Fdar-salah-womens-association%252F }}
Beit Sahour - Arab Women's Union
Beit Sahour – Arab Women’s Union
IMG_0666IMG_0579 – CopyIMG_0586IMG_0587IMG_0597IMG_0649 The Arab women union is one of the pioneer organizations in the area of Beit Sahour that aims for supporting women and advocating for their rights through offering different programs reflecting their needs. It was established in 1956. The programs varied with their purpose including economic, social, cultural and rehabilitative such as
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Photos of Bethlehem Region
Khirbet al-Mird to Tal al-Qamar
  • Distance: 11.20km
  • Time: 4-5 hours
  • Challenge: Moderate
Stage Logistics

Food And Water

For the hike take:

at least 3 liters of water
snack

Transportations

Khirbet al-Mird can be reached by walk or 4 x 4 car
Tal al-Qamar can be reached by a private taxi or car
Mar Saba can be reached by a private taxi or car from Bethlehem
There is a public transportation between Bethlehem and Dar Salah (close to Tal al-Qamar) or Al-Ubeydiya (close to Mar Saba). The cost is around 5 NIS.

Notes And Tips

Check the weather before you go. Always remember about sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses). During the summer season wear light but modest clothes. During the winter season remember about a warmer jacket – mornings and evenings are usually cold.

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