The Beth Shean Valley is an area in the Jordan Valley of northern Israel.

 

Hitchhiking is common in this part of Israel and considered safer than in other parts of Israel. If you want to go somewhere just up the road (going to or from the kibbutzim to Beit Shean)or close by make a pointing action towards the gowned with your index finger.

 

Kibbutzim

There are several Kibbutzim or communal villages in the Bet She'an valley. Many of them have natural springs that are relatively warm even in the winter and have nice hikes. It is also interesting just to walk around a kibbutz to see how they farm and go about there lives. The kibbutzim are private property so you might have to ask permission before you visit (depending on the kibbutz and what you want to do there).

• Kibbutz Nir David

• Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu

Has a natural spring and a mini zoo.

• Kibbutz Ein Ha-Natsiv

Has a great natural spring with clean water, a diving-board and a Tarzan swing. Hold you feet very still and you can feel the tiny fish biting your toes. You might meet other people and maybe get some free food from someone making a bbq. Mostly young people with their friends or soldiers visit the natural spring.

• Kibbutz Tirat Tsvi

• Kibbutz Shluhot

Most of the Beth Shean Valley is situated below Sea Level and extremely hot and humid in summer. However, the valley has a lot of natural springs and flowing rivers, and it is one of the wettest regions in Israel. For that reason, Beth Shean valley is green and beautiful and many Israelis travel there to relax in the springs or during hot summer days. The valley was even nicknamed the "gateway to heaven" in Jewish sources.

Though considered by many to be an extension of the neighboring Jezreel Valley region, the Beth Shean Valley really does possess its own unique geography and character.