Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Abraham Path-Bethlehem Atlas v1.1
Abraham Path-Bethlehem Atlas v1.1
Amenities
Accommodations: Hotel, hostel, guesthouse, homestay, or free trail angel room
Implies: Water, Bathrooms with showers, Shade, shelter
Bedouin tent accommodations: Guesthouse with sleeping arrangements in Bedouin-style tents, not buildings
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter
Campsite: An area officially designated for camping, a commercial campsite, or a well-established, often-used wild
campsite. In some natural areas, camping is only permitted in designated sites in order to protect the environment
Implies: No services unless otherwise noted
Free unless otherwise noted
Recommended campsite: An area suitable for wild camping, but not typically used for it
Implies: No services unless otherwise noted
Drinking water: A reliable source of potable water
When appearing next to a spring, well, stream or other natural water source, the water still should be purified before
drinking. The symbol will only appear next to natural water sources that have water year-round
Restaurant: Any establishment selling prepared meals
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter (possibly only for customers)
Grocery store: A store selling substantial foods and essentials (rather than simply snacks)
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter (possibly only for customers)
Bus stop: A station or stop where public transit can be taken. May be a central bus station or a roadside stop
Bathrooms: Western-style toilets and sinks unless otherwise noted. Does not imply showers; does imply shelter
Picnic area: An area with picnic tables and other park amenities. May be a good camp spot, if noted
Implies: Shade
Gas station: A gas (petrol) station and its accompanying facilities
Implies: Water, Bathrooms, Shade, shelter, and a snack shop
Shade: A reliably shady spot to rest in. Only appears in stages where shade is otherwise nonexistent; sometimes
refers to the point at which a stage begins to have regular shade after having lacked it (see stage notes for details)
All Amenities: A large town or city generally has everything a hiker needs for resupply, and many shopping,
accommodation, and restaurant options; this is used to save space rather than showing all icons
Implies: Accommodations, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Public Transportation, Bathrooms, Shade, Water, shelter
Natural Features
Spring: A natural water source emerging from the ground, or a pool. May have water only in season. Often
only visible as an area of heavy plant growth. Does not imply drinking water unless otherwise noted
Well or cistern: A man-made water source dug in the ground. May not have water; also appears to serve as a
landmark. Does not imply drinking water unless otherwise noted
Lookout: A natural or man-made viewpoint with a view in the specified direction
360-degree lookout: A lookout point in all directions; usually the summit of a hill, or a watchtower
Cave: A cave of any size; may be anything from a small nook in a cliff wall to a large cavern system
Implies: Shade and shelter (caves marked on maps are always large enough for people to fit into)
Waterfall: A wet or dry waterfall; dry ones run only seasonally or after rain. Does not imply drinking water
!
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Exposed trail: A section of trail that is narrow and exposed to a long drop on one or both sides; path may be
slippery or unstable as well. Use extreme caution when crossing.
While none of these sections are inherently dangerous, people with extreme fear of heights may find these
sections impossible to pass and may wish to plan not to hike these stages
General warning: When this symbol is present, a note beside it or in the walking notes will explain why caution or
extra attention is required on that trail section
Flash flood risk area: An area, normally in a narrow or deep wadi or canyon, where dangerous flash floods (large
walls of water moving extremely quickly) can occur.
It does not have to be raining for a flash flood to occur; rain upstream of a desert canyon can cause flash
flooding in the canyon. Always check local weather forecasts before hiking in flash flood risk areas
Cultural Features
Ruins or archaeological site: Ruins of any age or size. Free admission (or non-maintained site) unless
otherwise noted
Church/Mosque or religious site: This may be either a significant site for one or more religions (tomb of a
famous figure; traditional site of a story or event; etc.) or simply one serving as a landmark
Point of interest: Generic symbol for relevant locations not covered by another symbol; see notes beside the
point for more information
Trail Indicators
Abraham Path route: Shows the route followed by the Abraham Path on a given stage
Other Abraham Path route: Shows Abraham Path routes other than the one that is the focus of a stage
map; includes previous and next stages, detours, spurs, etc.
City Walk routes: Shows City Walk routes, special spurs/alternates of the Abraham Path
Begin/End Stage: Mark the beginning and ending of a stage on stage maps
1.4
Waypoints and Distance Indicators: Waypoints mark turn-by-turn directions and navigational
landmarks along a trail stage. There may be a distance markers, indicating cumulative distance from the
beginning of the stage. Even if no distance is attached, each waypoint has a corresponding entry in the
stages data book which does list its distance as well as a description of the location and directions
Other Geography
Roads: Beige are larger highways, up to expressways; white are smaller roads as well as city streets.
Labelled with road number if applicable
Roads marked this way are virtually always asphalt, but in some places with very few paved roads, a wide,
smooth, easily driveable dirt road may also be marked as a white road (e.g. Harran region)
Dirt road or 4x4 track: A wide, unpaved surface generally large enough to accommodate a jeep or 4x4
vehicle. Should be assumed not to be accessible by normal car unless otherwise noted. The distinction
between these and paths (below) is a gradual one, and some trails are on the borderline between both, or
change from one to the other over a distance
Footpath: A narrow, unpaved walking surface generally too small or too rough to be driven by a 4x4
vehicle. May be wide enough for two people to walk abreast, or a narrow, faint goat path. May be very
clear and easy to follow, or faint and more intermittent.
Wadi Name
Wadi or ditch: A wadi is an intermittent streambed which flows with water only in the wet season or
after rain. Many of them form very large canyons, and wadi can refer either to the broader canyon or to
the streambed in the bottom of it
Stream/River: Waterways that flow year-round, rather than seasonally. A stream is usually small enough to
cross easily by foot, while a river is larger. Canals appear the same as streams or rivers
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Contour Lines: Show the topography of a landscape; a line is drawn every 10m of elevation, and a thicker line
every 100m with a label showing its height. Lines closer together mean a steeper slope; further apart mean a
gradual one
Summit: A peak or local high point
Built-up area: A town, residential, commercial or industrial area
Forest: A densely wooded area
Border: Country boundaries
The Abraham Path is a long-distance cultural walking route following the footsteps and memory of Abraham
across the Middle East. The Abraham Path celebrates the Abrahamic values of hospitality and kindness to
strangers, provides eco-nomic benefits to local communities along the route. For more practical planning information, including downloadable companion GPS tracks and waypoints, visit www.abrahampath.org.
This map series is part of an effort by local partners and the Abraham Path Initiative to produce the first allpath online guidebook, covering over 400 km of walking trail and Abrahamic memory and heritage across
the Middle East. We invite you to take part in this project by walking the path, visiting communities along the
way, and by providing comments and suggestions for improvement. These routes are still in development, and
map feedback is especially helpful for name corrections (towns, wadis, landmarks), areas which are difficult to
navigate, and updates on current path conditions (feedback@abrahampath.org).
Map data OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Databook & Diagrams Abraham Path Initiative
Disclaimer
This map may not be up to date with recent changes on the ground. By making this map available, the Abraham Path Initiative does
not assume any liability for use of the information provided or for its accuracy. All hiking and other outdoor activities have potential
hazards involving risk of injury or death. The wilderness in and of itself can be a dangerous place and there are areas in the Middle
East that can suddenly become subject to security instability.
By using this map for any use, you recognize this, assume all risks of property damage, personal injury and death, and agree to
hold the Abraham Path Initiative, its Board Directors, its staff, its partners, its contributors and authors harmless from any liability
and loss. You accept the terms and conditions set forth in this Disclaimer on the Abraham Path Initiative website by downloading,
streaming or using any map or other information or materials provided on the Abraham Path Initiative website.
Find out more at www.abrahampath.org
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Teqoa
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Beit Bassa
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Ras Sinsil
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Zaatara
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Kfar Eldad
Settlement
Herodion ($)
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Shepherds Fields
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Beit Sahour
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Khalayal al-Luz
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Harmala
Milk Grotto
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Bab al-Zqaq
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Bethlehem
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Har Homa
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Tel al-Qamar
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Distance: 21.5km
Time: 4-7 hours
Physical Challenge: Difficult
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
(Bethlehem Region)
km
Walking notes
+km
0.5
0.5
Cut L away from the channel and past a dropoff in the wadi on L;
pass through a low stone wall, going SW up a smaller streambed.
Head L past stone platforms as you reach the end of the streambed
0.3
0.8
0.8
1.0
At the Y in the 4x4, go R. It winds down to R, then fades to a footpath. Then go L down the streambed that it leads into
1.0
1.2
0.2
1.5
0.3
1.9
0.4
2.2
After crossing the valley, turn L again and continue climbing higher
up along the hillside, following a footpath. Continue S
0.3
2.8
0.6
2.9
0.1
3.0
0.1
3.5
0.5
3.8
Pass few more structures in the streambed. From here head L, uphill
and away from the streambed
0.3
4.2
0.4
4.5
1.8
6.3
0.7
7.0
Turn L along the next wadi that branches off, and follow it S past
several more streambeds joining it. Tel al-Qamar just uphill on R
0.4
7.4
1.7
9.1
0.4
9.5
Stay straight on 4x4 past another rough one going uphill to R. Then
leave the 4x4 youre on, heading L down into the valley heading
SSW toward a larger valley bottom
0.3
0.6
10.4
Continue on the dirt road past a cemetery above to L, and two 4x4s
joining from L above
0.6
11.0
Where a paved road (at R) ends and turns to dirt, cross it just to L
of the barbed-wire fenced area and follow a footpath W above the
valley on L, toward another paved road. Herodion is visible ahead
past another village
0.4
11.4
Turn L at the long farm shed onto an asphalt road. At the end of
that shed, turn R to make your way down toward the wadi below
(Wadi Darja), and head W along the ridge above it, then along its
bed
2.0
0.4
13.8
0.2
14.0
0.5
14.5
Turn L at the next 4-way junction onto a larger, busier road, passing
a bus stop shelter on L
0.6
15.1
Just after you go under the overpass bridge, at the junction with
spraypainted signs to Shdema on R, cross the busy road, continuing onto a footpath up the valley, in the general direction of the tall
apartment block, which is next to Beit Bassa
0.5
15.6
0.4
16.0
0.4
16.4
Cross another paved road and stay straight; then curve L (S)
0.5
16.9
Turn sharp R, steeply uphill, onto a rough 4x4 past a house under
construction. Turn L up onto a rough 4x4 just before reaching a
high-walled building uphill
0.4
17.3
Soon after the road becomes paved, turn L on the residential street,
continuing uphill. Look for a low point in the rock ledge on R to
climb up, then head for the top of the hill to find Beit Bassa ruins
0.3
17.6
From the hilltop, head N down the steep hillside through ancient
terraces to the street below, with another apartment tower; turn L
(W) on that street
0.4
18.0
At the first street heading L, turn R onto a dirt road heading down
into the valley. It vanishes into olive groves almost immediately;
continue N toward a dirt road on the far side of the valley
0.2
18.2
0.6
18.8
As you approach the valley ahead at the end of the hillside, pass several lines of boulders blocking the way to vehicles. Curve L around
the hillside, passing just above a building with an octagonal turret
on R. The road narrows to a footpath
0.2
19.0
0.3
19.3
0.4
19.7
At the junction head uphill, continue straight, then the street curves
slight R. Soon see a street sign indicating you're on "Plastic Factory
Street"
0.3
20.0
Turn R onto al-Nasr St., L onto Star St., then L onto Central St. at
the mosque
0.2
20.2
After passing the Citadel Restaurant, take the first R onto Old City
St., then immediately go L onto a narrow pedestrian-only street.
Just after passing Al-Awda Youth Activities Center on L, turn R
onto St. Michael St., passing Dar al-Balad restaurant
0.2
20.4
At the end of St. Michael St. turn L uphill onto a busier road, leaving
the old city, and passing a Catholic church on R
0.3
20.7
0.3
21.0
When you reach perpendicular street (sign for Atan St.) jog R to
climb the stairs and then turn L, staying uphill on Milk Grotto St.
Stay straight until you reach Manger Square
0.9
21.9
Bethlehem
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it
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Bab al-Zqaq
Shepherds Fields
Bethlehem
Mosque
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Beit Sahour
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Milk Grotto
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0.7
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Dheisha
Artas
Artas Spring
Beit Bassa
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3.4
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Hortus Conclusus
Convent
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Quarry
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Khalayel al-Luz
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356
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Herodion ($)
Harmala
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Tekoa Settlement
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Wadi Tequa
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baptistry
Tel Tequa
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Quarry
Minya
1 km
2: Bethlehem to Tequa
Distance: 12.0km
Time: 2-4 hours
Physical Challenge: Easy
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
(Bethlehem Region)
Transportation:
km
Walking notes
+km
0.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.6
0.1
0.7
0.5
1.2
0.5
1.7
0.7
2.4
At the Y, stay on the L, lower road, then stay straight past another
road joining from L
0.4
2.8
0.6
3.4
Pass Artas spring on R, and head down into a small walkway leading into the valley opposite it. OPTION: Continue uphill to visit the
Hortus Conclusus convent
0.2
3.6
Turn R in the canal to cross the valley. Scramble up a low rock ledge
and head L on footpaths above the valley on L
0.3
3.9
Merge down onto a footpath along the wadi bed, then cross a pile of
rubble and continue onto a gravel road
0.6
4.7
0.2
4.9
0.1
5.0
0.4
5.4
Take footpath down into wadi, across olive grove toward paved road
0.1
5.5
0.2
5.7
0.1
5.8
0.4
6.2
0.4
6.6
0.2
6.8
0.2
7.0
0.2
7.7
0.7
8.4
Stay straight, pass stone factory building on R, road becomes broken asphalt, follows electric lines
0.9
9.3
Turn R on paved road at first building along path, then turn R and
continue up into Harmala towards mosque visible ahead
1.0
10.3
0.3
10.6
0.1
10.7
0.2
10.9
0.3
11.2
Stay R at Y
0.1
11.3
0.2
11.5
12.0
From the center of Beit Sahour (next to Souq al-Shaab supermarket, the local landmark) services between Bethlehem and
Ramallah and all points in between run up and down the main
street; just flag one down (2NIS to Bethlehem).
Bethlehem has several bus stations, from which services (minibuses) depart to nearby towns and to major cities in the West
Bank. One station (for access to Tequa) is located a block south
of Manger Square; another (the central station, or mujama is
downtown a short distance west of Manger Square; while a third
(Bab al-Zqaq) has buses to Hebron and Jerusalem.
The very short distances between towns mean that water supply
should not be a concern on this stage; however, you should still
bring (and drink) plenty, especially when the weather is hot.
Bethlehem and Tequa both have grocery stores; Tequa has the
last store for several days
Stage Notes:
The stage begins at the Church of the Nativity, traditional birthplace of Jesus and one of Christianitys holiest sites. In the immediate area is Bethlehems old city, which is worth an on-foot
exploration in itself; the short distance of this stage allows time
in a day for a city detour.
In Artas, dont miss a visit to the Hortus Conclusus convent just
off the trail. There are no visiting hours, but visitors are usually
welcome (just knock on the door or ask someone inside).
0.5
END
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