6. Crossing Syria, Jordan, West Bank, Israel to Jerusalem: 25 days

Route Description

Anacleto, Mario and Rinaldo's 2008 journey over 25 days: Antioch, Turkey to Jerusalem, Israel crossing Syria, Jordan and Israel. The document includes a map with detailed route description, and accommodation details. With thanks to Martina Landolt.

1. Antioch - Reyhanli (280m asl)

Cumhuriyet Square (Museum), cross the 'Orontes, and you get to Piazza Ulu, take the road opposite the second and turn it off to the left after just over 50 meters. Kemal Paşa arrived on the CD (the second on right) turn right and continue along this until you reach the Kurtluş Cd (third on left) which is the E91 - D420. Turn left and continue along this straight, the Sureyya way becomes the CD and then, now in the suburbs, the Antakya Reyhanli Yolu; junction with Junction continue straight along the Antakya Cilvegözü Yolu Demirköprü and reach (21Km). Go straight, pass Tayfursökmen (25km), arriving at Konuk (28km) and reach Beşarslan (33km). From here continue up to Reyhanli.

Progressive km: 42

2. Reyhanli - Al Kaser (camping) (400m asl)

Continue along the D420 and reach Cilvegözü (8km). It is turkish border. Continue for 2km and come to Bab Al Hawa, Syrian border (10km). S5 on the road, at the end of the straightaway, when the S5 bends right, take the road off to left (pass under an arch and between archaeological remains), continue straight on this. Arrived at the large open space with lots of shops and keep to the left, about half-square, take the road that branches off to the left, continue for about 500m until you get onto the M5 leading to Aleppo. Take a left and right along this, at the end of a climb to reach a settlement with a fine stretch of Roman road on the left side at the start of descent (21km). To achieve straight Atarib (25km) and reach Al Kaser (34km), turn left for the camp, following the indications (37km).

Progressive km: 79

3. Al Kaser - Aleppo (400m asl)

Back on the M5 (3 km), continue on the M5 and reach URMA Al Kubra (14km). Kafarnaha straight you reach (19km) and passing through it exceeds a wooded tract, and get onto the M1 (22km) to two lanes coming from the right and you arrive in Aleppo (29km).

Progressive km: 108

4. Aleppo - Saraqib (400m asl)

Placing the M1 and walk back along the same, straight over the Zarbah (11km) and Ash Shaykh Asmad (25km) and reach Saraqib (46km).

Progressive km: 154

5. An-Numan Saraqib Maarrat (500m asl)

Also on the M1, pass Khanalspel (12km) and An Numan Maarrat reach (30km).

Progressive km: 184

6. An Maarrat Numan - Moreke (400m asl)

Along the M1 Khan Shaykhun reach (22km), continue straight until Moreke (32km).

Progressive km: 216

7. Moreke - Hamah (300m asl)

Along the M1 Tayyjbat exceed the Imam (10km), Qimhaanah (18km) and arrive in Hamah (28km).

Progressive km: 244

8. Hamah - Homs (400m asl)

Always on the M1, passing through the Maarri Jabat (12km), cross the river Orontes and come after two miles Ar Rastan (23km), continue, Talbisah reach (31km) and finally arriving at Homs (45km). Keep an eye on the same plane you get out of Hamah.

Progressive km: 289

9. Homs - Hisyah (800m asl)

Exit from Homs along the M1 (two lined sections) and, on this, continue straight on past two intersections with interchanges raised (after the second intersection on the left is a road parallel to the M1). Straight, pass Shinsho (14km) and enter Shamsin (21km), the M1, leaving about one kilometer from the village and taking the road that continues straight on the left. Merge onto M1 and along the same plane on the left to reach the Maamora (25km), Melkite Christian village, and, going straight, reaching Hisyah (36km).

Progressive km: 325

Hisyah 10 - Qarah (1150m asl)

Straight on the M1 over the industrial area Burj al Ahmar (9km) and, taking a large quarry on the right, you reach the Burayj (18 miles), hence, straight, up to Quarah (32 miles). Continue until the end of the country and, in correspondence with an open space with a bar restaurant, patriotic and Christian cemetery memorial stone on the left, take the road that separates right and come to the monastery of Mar Jaqoub (35km).

Progressive km: 360

11. Qarah - Maar Muse (1400m asl)

Qarah exit along the highway, to reach Deir Atiyah (11km), home to a large university, and then Nabk An (22km). In the center of the village take the road that starts left and head towards the big cave. Continue leaving the pits on the left, go over an area of landfill and, with a nice descent down into the desert valley. Continue straight ahead on the left until you left off the road to Maar Musa (sign). At the end of terraced road begins the trail which leads to the monastery (41km).

Progressive km: 401

12. Maar-Musa Yabrud (1400m asl)

If you do not want to retrace the road back from the monastery leads to An Nabk, ask for directions to the monastery for stadicciola-path leading to the caves: you save 7 km. Once in Nabk An (12km or 19km), dropping the M1 at the roundabout and take right Yabrud (21km or 28km), which is reached by going straight. In town to visit the Basilica of Constantine and Elena (ask for hospitality in Musa Maar).

Progressive Km: 422; if you follow the road are 429 km

13. Yabrud-Mal'ula (1500m asl)

Exit the village and take for Ra's al 'Ayn (4km), continue straight on into the village on a straight right. Approximately 2.5 km after leaving the country to continue on the straight road, though it seems the main, to an area with numerous sheds for rearing chickens, take the road which bends to the right and continue along this. Exceed an area of caves and go straight until you come to Sarha As (14km). After about 2km from the village at the exit of the wide and gentle curve that puts an end to take the straight road that branches off to the left and continue along this Mal'ula we reach (21km).

Progressive km: 460

14. Malula - Saydnaya (1400m asl)

Leave the town to 'Ayn Al Tinah; output arc of the village take the road branching off to the right and continue for Jabadin (6km), which pass on your right. Continue straight and arrive at Ath Thawani (11km) from the village going straight out and reach Akubar (16km). Go straight into the village on the left and center, with features beyond chicken farm sheds and quarries, you get on the road left to As Sarha that comes from the right, straight on along this reach Saydnaya (29 km), located on the right. Into the town and reach the monastery of Our Lady of Saydnaya (30km).

Progressive km: 480

15. Saydnaya - Damascus (800m asl)

Get out from taking the road that leads from the center in Damascus; edge of the village, about 100m after a pronounced curve to the left, take the road branching off to the right and with a slight inclination, is separated from the road so far followed. Continue straight along this abandoned road and reach the last to enter the city, turn right on this, go straight and reach Manin (11km), continue straight through the city to enter into a gorge, dropping the road that branches off to the left and straight, Taff joins Acts (15km), which extends to our left. Continuing straight on you than the M1 and you get to Barzah (19km). From here, continue straight, you enter Damascus (28km).

Progressive km: 508

16. Damascus - Ghabagheb (700m asl)

Leave the town along the highway 5, parallel to the M1 (about 300m), which develops on the right, straight over the M1 and come to the Kiswah (16km). Straight ahead, leaving the town on the right and reach the small village of Khan Dannua (20km) and continue straight along two straight Ghabagheb reach (37km).

Progressive km: 545

17. Ghabagheb - As Sheikh Miskin (600m asl)

Exit S5 and along the straight line along a reach Sanamayn As (13km), always right and always on the straight reach Qanayah (9km), continue along the highway and 5, always in a straight line, we arrive at Sheikh Miskin As (40km.

Progressive km: 585

18. As Sheikh Miskin - Daraa (550m asl)

Along the road to arrive at IBTA 5 '(4km) and then to the Dail (9km), go straight and get to' Uthman (18km) and from there straight up to Deraa (23km).

Progressive km: 608

19.Daraa - Neaime (700m asl)

Along the S5 is reached Syrian border (6km), from there to the Jordanian border, located 4km later, it continues only motorized (hitchhiking). After the barrier, go straight and come to Ar Ramtha (12km). Continue along the highway 25, past a great first cloverleaf junction (18km) and the second largest cloverleaf junction (27km), turn right, cross the road after about 400m turn left and continue taking 35 for about 4 km entering Neaime (31km), which is located on the right of the road to Amman, after release, takes the number 35.

Progressive km: 639

20. Neaime - Jarash (700m asl)

Far from the center of the village take right (east) the road on State 35; exceeded the olive groves, follow the road turn right and stay away from the secondary that continues straight.Overcoming a stroke and with rocky outcrops along a straight stretch, bend to Anglo right on the main road, leaving aside the minor road continues straight. This leads to a town (3 km), at the roundabout turn right and after about 400 m, still bending to the right and immediately turn left, cross the village, continue straight on, going down a rocky ridge, reaching the State 35 (5 miles). Turn right (south) along this, passing the sign of the 30 km leave the highway 35 and turn right to North Jarash (lowercase junction) and at the junction bear left and Jarash reach (23km).

Progressive km: 662

21. Jarash - Amman (600m asl)

Leave the town along the road that joins the archaeological area, continue straight (south) to take back on the road 35 (5 km) along this is reached Suwaylih (35 miles), a suburb of Amman, and then, leaving the highway, drive through the city center of Amman (45 km). From Suwaylih to the dangers of the path, you should rely on mechanized transport (bus or taxi).

Progressive km: 707

22. Amman - Madaba (800m asl)

Exit 40 from Amman along the main road and along this reach Naour (18 km) to the bifurcation into the city to keep the left and continue straight along the highway 40 without entering the city, which develops on the right. After about 2.5 km, at an intersection with secondary highway junction (on the left there is an extensive olive grove), leave the main road and turn left, pass an industrial area and, after about 1km, come to a junction with Junction proceed taking, and dropping in front of the road that goes left. Straight, from Hiban (26 km) and Jariyna (32 km), we arrive at Madaba (37 miles).

Progressive km: 744

23. Madaba - Bethany Beyond the Jordan (400m in lm)

Exit from Madaba along the road leading to Mount Nebo (signs); come to the roundabout with Y-split, take the tree-lined street on the left. Continue on this, through a town (4km) and, going straight, to come to the monastery of Mount Nebo (10 miles). From here, take a beautiful descent into the desert to take the state 40 (25 miles), turn right and after about 70 meters, turn left on the road that goes off at 90 degrees. Overcoming a first wadis and continue until you pass a second, this extensive and well cultivated, and immediately after, at a mosque. take the road branching off to the left. Continue along this, between cultivated fields and banana plantations, and go underneath a channel going straight, come to a Y input and bend turn left then immediately right. Continue straight and get on the S65, turn right and follow the road that turns left to reach the Visitor Center at Bethany (35km).

Progressive km: 779

24. Bethany - Jericho (250m in lm)

Returning to the S 65 go left along this (warning: it's a road), when the latter, at an intersection at a right angle bend to the right, continue straight along a side street. After about 500m, placing a T, turn right (top of a banana), continue straight for about 300m of dirt road to a small road that branches off to the left and turn on this. Cross a small wadi and continue along the direction NE greenhouses (right) to take the road that leads from Salt at the border. Turn left and reach the Jordanian border (9 miles). From here to the Israeli border (12 km), passing on the Jordan-King Hussein Bridge Allenby, bus and proceed only by the barrier Israeli checkpoints to a place about 3 km further, you can only go on the bus to Jerusalem, paying the full price, but going just past the dam (15 km). From here, cross the dual carriageway bypassing the guard rail and onto the road which goes straight for J heather (20 km of which 6 must-motorized). Reach the convent of the Good Shepherd at the Terra Sancta School.

Progressive km: 799

25. Jericho - Jerusalem (800m asl)

From the Convent of the Good Shepherd, turn right, past the valley (wadi Alqet) take the small road (Roman road) that runs along the left side (right side hydraulic) of the valley and continue along it, reaching the portal of three arches from which part of the road that descends into the wadi Alquet, or Kelt as found in other writing, and reach the monastery of St. George (8km).From the monastery to continue along the path marked "white-green-white" which, with steep steps, stands on the left side (for hikers is right) is flanked by a small canal remaining before that, except for two small sections that pass downstream. The path becomes "white-red-white" came to an extensive oasis with numerous homes and shelters for cattle, the channel passes on the opposite shore. Continue on the "white-red-white" down in the bed dell'wadi; here the path becomes difficult, both in dense vegetation (reeds) that prevents the sight and transit, which for some small steps that require climbing and many fords. Once at the source with guardhouse and small tubs, keep going on the trail "white-red-white" and soon after, the Wadi bifurcates. Get on the left and back again along a slope at a considerable slope, continue along a pipe and, following this, back down into the wadi bed and come to a beautiful green area (Oasis of Jerusalem).From here continue along the path of "white-blue-white" which, with a steep staircase rises to the Russian Orthodox Monastery (right side, left for hikers), continue to rise and reach the house and entrance to the reserve (you pay the ticket even if you're coming out). Now follow the dirt road marked "white-green-white" and, after an extensive tour with a remarkable ups and downs, you get on the S437, turn right, cross the junction to reach the Almon and Lion Gate of Jerusalem.

Variant: the S437 passed the junction for Almon, after 300 m leave the dual carriageway that goes straight and turn left to Anata and continue from there until you reach the Mount of Olives. Path is slightly longer than the previous one, but on road less traveled

Some notes on the path in the wadi:

• From the first descent into the bed of the wadi and the path becomes very difficult, rather than distances, the times become significant. Departed from Jericho, at 5.30, we reached the S437 at 15.30, in particular: the Monastery of St. Giorgio Oasis of Jerusalem we took five hours and three quarters. S437 from the road to Jerusalem is 10 kilometers. A rough estimate of the distance from Jericho to Jerusalem should be about 35 km, with about 2000 m in altitude.
• From the monastery of St. George on it is not advisable to go solo, evaluate alternative routes to be the portal of three arches from which you descend to the monastery of St. George is lead by the extensive oasis with homes outside the wadi. For the second alternative is to take the path "white-black-white" which leads on the right side (left if you walk) and from this out of the wadi.
• With the threat of rain to continue in the wadi over the monastery of St. George is extremely risky for any sudden and violent floods.
• Returned home and reviewed the final section of Google Earth location we found to have committed a gross mistake, from the house entrance to the reserve, where you pay to be clear, the path goes on, well optimized: the house, instead of following the track shown in "white-green-white" road to reach the village Almon Anathoth, which is located immediately to the right, and from there on up to take the S437. Compared to the path we have taken the path is reduced by at least an hour, thereby avoiding inter alia a challenging ups and downs and a section of S 437

Progressive km: 834