Bethlehem Atlas

topographical maps &

route descriptions
a work in progress - 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

Trail Features and Warnings

Scrambling: A section of trail where rock scrambling (using hands) is required. Note that these are all non-technical;
no sections on the Abraham Path require the use of ropes or other climbing equipment
Ladders: A section of trail where the climbing of ladders, staples or ropes is necessary. Again, it is never necessary
to bring any special equipment on the Abraham Path; all ladders, ropes, and handholds are already installed
!

!
!

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

900

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

Abraham Path (Masar Ibrahim)

Bethlehem Region (Palestine)

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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1: Mar Saba to Bethlehem

Distance: 21.5km
Time: 4-7 hours
Physical Challenge: Difficult
Trail Difficulty: Moderate

(Bethlehem Region)
km

Walking notes

+km

BEGIN STAGE at parking lot by St. Saba Monastery sign. Head

S to the lone tower across from the monastery, then follow a water
channel S and around the hillside from that, up another streambed

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

Turn L, downhill on a 4x4

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

Reaching the lower streambed, turn R on a footpath along it and

curve L (following another streambed). Stay L along it, climbing
rocks along L side to get above a waterfall

0.2

1.5

At the waterfall, turn L to climb steeply up the hillside, the waterfall

at your back. At the top of the hill, turn R heading down other side

0.3

1.9

From a dark-colored stony ridgetop, curve R then L to get to the

other side of the valley

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

Meet a 4x4 running along a hilltop; go L

0.6

2.9

At the Y with another 4x4, go R

0.1

3.0

Then go R on an even fainter 4x4 as the one you followed continues

straight; this leads down to wadi below, close to Bedouin tents

0.1

3.5

At valley bottom, go R away from the Bedouin camp, following a

footpath upstream

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

From the ridgetop, head S downhill, toward a 4x4 track and a

burned area/trash dump

0.4

4.5

Join the 4x4 at the trash dump; go R uphill

1.8

6.3

Reach a larger, wide streambed with 4x4 tracks in it; turn R to go

upstream along it, passing caves on R

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

Pass Abu Matlub well above the wadi on L. Continue up a footpath

along the hillside, then it stay level not far above the wadi as it
curves R to head W

1.7

9.1

Go slightly L to begin climbing away from wadi bed toward a small

building on ridge above, following a rough footpath. Continue past
the house onto a 4x4. Continue W to a fence and head R along it
with another 4x4

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

At the bottom of the larger valley, go around a small wheat field,

cross a 4x4, and head across the valley bottom, for a 4x4 that winds
R up the other side of the valley heading W. Village of Ras Sinsil
visible on hills above to R

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

Reach an asphalt road crossing the wadi. A main road is just to L.

Stay straight down the paved road, toward the mosque with the teal
dome, through the western outskirts of Ras Sinsil

0.4

13.8

At the 4-way junction, stay L, staying uphill to pass the mosque

after 150m on L

0.2

14.0

At the next 4-way junction; stay straight, downhill, continuing on

the asphalt road

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

Stay W on the footpath as it widens to a dirt road

0.4

16.0

Stay straight in the valley, past a dirt road going R, uphill

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

Turn L uphill on the dirt road by the apartment block under

construction; then after After 130m, U-turn R up onto a dirt road
leading up the hillside (passing a pile of dirt at its base)

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

Just after passing the house with large cross-shaped windows, go R

down onto the dirt road below and turn L. Continue onto the paved
street that jogs R

0.3

19.3

Turn L at the T onto a street heading WNW

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

At the roundabout by Ararat Hotel, turn L and then turn R uphill

past Antonio Caf. Continue up the steep hill

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

Reach Manger Square. Entrance to Nativity Church is just to R.

STAGE END

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Bab al-Zqaq

Shepherds Fields

Bethlehem

Church of the Nativity

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of Omar

Beit Sahour

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Milk Grotto
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Dheisha

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Artas Spring

Beit Bassa

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Convent

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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

BEGIN STAGE at Manger square, head S past St. Antony Souvenir

store and al-Andalus Restaurant and stay R downhill onto Maslakh
St. Then go sharp L staying downhill past a parking lot full of yellow
minibuses

0.3

0.3

At next intersection, stay R, still on Maslakh St. Then at the T go R

onto Bab al-Jbeah St.

0.3

0.6

Continue on the same street, passing a sign for Saf St.

0.1

0.7

Go L uphill at the next intersection, passing fields with olives trees

by the road. Stay uphill, curving to R

0.5

1.2

Pass Uthman bin Afan mosque on L, then a mini market on R

0.5

1.7

Turn R toward the deep valley on a paved street

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

Stay straight, entering the village, as the road temporarily becomes

partly unpaved

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

Tequa has services to Bethlehem; as always, these leave when

full and not according to a schedule.

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

Water and Supplies:

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

Continue in same direction on other side of wadi, 4x4 becomes

footpath, rough path across terraces

0.2

4.9

Join wide 4x4 in same direction

0.1

5.0

Walk on uphill side of wide 4x4 across hillside

0.4

5.4

Take footpath down into wadi, across olive grove toward paved road

0.1

5.5

Turn R on paved road

0.2

5.7

Turn L after USAID water station, onto footpath

0.1

5.8

Continue along bottom of valley in same direction along olive

groves

0.4

6.2

Stay straight, cross paved road, chicken house on R

0.4

6.6

Stay straight in wadi along stone wall

0.2

6.8

Stay straight in wadi, major stone quarry dump/scree field on R

0.2

7.0

Stay straight in wadi, cross over dirt 4x4

0.2

7.7

Stay straight in wadi, climb under/through wire fence/wall, nice

shade trees nearby

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

Turn L on dirt 4x4/sometimes paved road; Hwy. 356 visible below

to L

0.3

10.6

Turn R after passing water station on L onto footpath up towards

minaret

0.1

10.7

Turn L, leave 4x4 to cut back to paved road

0.2

10.9

Turn R on paved road, uphill very steep

0.3

11.2

Stay R at Y

0.1

11.3

Stay straight, small shop on L

0.2

11.5

Turn R along main, busy road - Hwy. 356

12.0

Turn L up to the house on footpath; STAGE END

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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Abraham Path

Bethlehem Region (Palestine)

From the desert around Mar Saba, the path meanders steeply up the hills towards Bethlehem, the birth place
of Jesus. Home to a long range of holy and historic sites such as Manger Square, the Church of Nativity, and
Shepherds Fields, Bethlehem is a natural rest and recovery point for walkers. From here, the path continues
to Artas and Tequa, passing near the ancient water works at Solomon Pools and the Convent of Hortus Conclusus in Artas.
Passing mainly through populated areas, the Bethlehem region does not have any special logistical challenges
in terms of supplies and food. The region does, however, lack accommodations and public transportation at
a few points (see below and next page), but through-hikers will be able to bring supplies from previous stops,
and day hikers can easily arrange private transport for short distances.
Accommodation:
Mar Saba does not have overnight accommodations. The nearest option is at Tel al-Qamar, 7km west of Mar
Saba along thr route; Bedouin tent-style accommodations are available by prior arrangement. Call Ahmed
Abu Haniya at 054-205-4914. Tel al-Qamar is accessible only by 4x4 vehicle.
Beit Sahour: Savior Guesthouse: 140NIS/person; includes breakfast. Book through Siraj Center, 02-275-5273
Bethlehem, as a major city and tourist center, has a huge number of hotels and guesthouses; find information
and booking options online. There are also families in Bethlehem offering homestays; inquire through Siraj
Center (www.sirajcenter.org)
Tequa homestay: Abu & Um Ghassan & family. $40/person. Includes dinner and breakfast. Book through
Siraj Center, 02-275-5273
Water and Supplies:
Mar Saba has water; fill up enough to last you at least until Ras Sinsil, where the mosque youll pass (like all
mosques) has water available by its entrance. For the remainder of the stage, you will always be near populated areas where water can be obtained.
Beit Sahour, Bethlehem and Tequa all have grocery stores. If you are continuing from the Jericho region, Beit
Sahour will be the first grocery store since Jericho, 3 days prior. If you are continuing into the Hebron region,
Tequa has the last grocery store until Beni Naim, in 2 days.

Abraham Path

Bethlehem Region (Palestine)

Transportation to the Bethlehem region:
The closest airport to access the West Bank is Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv (Israel). There are no direct
public transport options from Ben Gurion to the West Bank, so we suggest traveling first to Jerusalem via
the Nesher airport shuttle (which leaves when full, 24/7, from outside the airport, and drops you off at a
requested address). Car rentals are also available at the airport (though these cars will not be insured to drive
into Areas A and B of the Palestinian Territory), and private taxis can also take you to Jerusalem (cost about
300NIS, higher rates nights and weekends).
An alternative option is to fly into Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, and cross to Israel/Palestine
via Allenby Bridge.
Transportation within the Bethlehem region:
Buses to Palestinian cities do not depart from the West Jerusalem Central Bus Station but rather from two
bus stations near Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem. Buses depart regularly but do not have a formal schedule.
Buses normally run from about 6am to 7pm.
From Jerusalem to Bethlehem, depart from the bus station next to the light rail stop called Damascus Gate
a short way west of Damascus Gate. Blue bus #24 goes regularly to the main checkpoint into Bethlehem,
after which youll need to take a taxi (10-15NIS) or walk (30 min.) into Bethlehem. A faster option is bus #21
(8NIS) which goes directly into Bethlehem; the last stop is a few minutes walk from Old City Bethlehem.
Services to Tequa leave from Bethlehem, a block south of Manger Square - look for a parking lot full of yellow minibuses and ask for the one going to Tequa.

Most towns in the Bethlehem region have minibus service from nearby transportation hubs; however, Mar
Saba is not reachable by public transportation, nor is or Tel al-Qamar.

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