Israeli Nature Blogger Says Popular Northern Sites Have Dried Out and Deteriorated

Nature blogger and experienced hiker Hen Yosef returned this week to two northern Israel spots she had previously praised, Yimka Pool near the Sea of Galilee and Ein Tina on the Golan Heights, and found them badly changed. In an interview with ynet, she said the sites should be described honestly when conditions are poor, adding, “Not every place is worth visiting in every condition.”

At Yimka Pool, Yosef said the scene was shocking after repeated dry seasons. She noted that the shoreline had receded significantly, the water no longer reached the trees that once stood in it, and the pool had turned into what she described as a “putrid swamp.” She said the pool had once looked extraordinary after a particularly rainy winter about two years ago, when it seemed to merge with the Sea of Galilee, but now “there is no invitation to enter the water.”

Her visit to Ein Tina was also disappointing. Yosef had gone expecting the well-known waterfall at the end of the trail, but found only “two trickles.” The artificial waterfall was barely flowing, even though the pipe was still there and water could still be heard. She said the upper sections of the trail had become drier, with less water than before, and that the route no longer matched the image many visitors remember.

Despite the letdown, Yosef did not remove Ein Tina from her recommendations. She said the water walk is still pleasant, the scenery remains beautiful, and the trail is still suitable for families. But she stressed that the sites have changed from year to year, and visitors should know what to expect before setting out.