Israel's almond blossoms gone wild

In Japan, the blooming of cherry blossoms is a holiday that brings hundreds of thousands of people out to marvel at the trees. The blossoms last just a few days before creating a pinkish white carpet on the ground.

In Israel, the blooming of almond trees is equally beautiful, and it has just reached its peak. The flowers have already begun to fall to the ground, leaving a white carpet. The final days of the blooming of the almond trees are their most beautiful, so the time to head out and witness this phenomenon is now. The almond blossoms are our version of the cherry tree.

Mount Tabor is seen behind almond trees.Credit: Gil Eliyahu

Credit: Gil Eliyahu

There are two kinds of almond trees in Israel. The bitter wild almond is the product of a type of tree that was cultivated and then spread back into wild. They are widespread and their presence in many places is a sign of the remnants of former Arab villages in the country.

Then there are almond trees growing in agricultural groves that are being cultivated for their nuts. This month, in the region around Mount Tabor in the north, there is an almond festival, which prompted me to pay a visit to the area. The scene is magnificent, with long rows of flowering trees and almond petals covering the ground.

An almond tree near Gazit Junction.Credit: Gil Eliyahu

Credit: Gil Eliyahu

From the Gazit Junction, head south to Route 7276. Almond trees are blossoming on both sides of the road. If you look northwest, you will find the path of the Tabor stream and Mount Tabor itself. Further south along the road, up to the entrance of Ein Dor, there are a lot of trees to marvel at. Set your GPS to Ein Dor.

North of the road leading to Moshav Kfar Kisch, there’s a grove that is at its peak. Set your GPS to to Kfar Kisch. Behind the Kfar Tavor cemetery, there are two beautiful groves. From there, you can take nice footpaths named after local resident Itzik Dagan. Set your GPS to Kakal Blvd. in Kfar Tavor.

Credit: Gil Eliyahu

Between Shadmot Dvora and Kafr Kama, east of Route 767, which leads to the Sea of Galilee, there are two groves at their peak. Set your GPS to Olive Café in Shadmot Dvora.