Nahal Piran and Nahal Talkid (Piran Stream and Talkid Stream)

Rocky slopes descend from Samaria to the northern part of the Jordan Valley, creating a diverse mosaic of plants. Here, heat-loving plants such as Jericho balsam and mild broom live together with Mediterranean plants such as cyclamens and daffodils. Get organized in the parking area cleared by the NPA to the side of Highway 90, and away you go.

Main Points of Interest

An experiential trail along the stream in eastern Samaria

Desert-edge flora

The scenic Jordan Valley

In late March, the Gilboa iris in blossom

Landscape Observation Point

A beautiful view of the Jordan Valley from the watershed between Nahal Piran and Nahal Talkid.

NPA Activities to Improve Services to Visitors

The NPA has prepared a parking area and picnic area, marked the paths along the trail and set stakes in rocks along the steep sections.

How to Get There

The trail begins in the parking area at the entrance to Nahal Talkid, west of the Jordan Valley road (Highway 90, by the 350-km mark), about 5 km south of Brosh Habika.

Background

The Piran And Talkid Streams are within the area of the Umm Zuka Nature Reserve on the slopes of Samaria that descend steeply to the east of the Jordan Valley. The reserve is spread over 22,000 dunam and the altitude differences here contribute to the wide variety of animal and plant species.

The close proximity to the Jordan Valley is responsible for plant species of Sudanese origin, such as mild broom. Other plants include plants from the Mediterranean boundary, such as common asphodel, common ballota, Palestine buckthorn and Rhus tripartite. You’ll also find the Gilboa iris, turban buttercup, sun’s-eye tulip, and common narcissus.

The Trail

1. The Mohammad Shibli Monument

Walk south about 500 meters from the parking area along the side of Highway 90 to the Mohammad Shibli Monument (100 meters north of the entrance sign to Wadi Piran). The monument commemorates the Senior Sergeant Mohammad Shibli, who was killed at the site in 1991 in a clash with terrorists. Jericho balsam grow by the monument, a common tree in East Africa that grows in our region in the Arava Valley and the Jordan Valley, which provide it with a warm climate and sufficient amounts of water.

2. Wadi Piran

From the monument, go south down the small slope, parallel to Highway 90. The white marlstone soil is covered with thick, gray Salsola damascene bushes. At the foot of the monument hill, there is a sign directing you to Nahal Piran. There is a somewhat limit field of vision because of the curve in the road, so cross carefully. One step from the road onto the trail marked in red, and the valley gives way to the slopes of the Umm Zuka ridge, east of the mountains of Samaria, offering you a completely different world.

The wide channel of Nahal Piran narrows until it becomes a canyon with erect walls. Quite an experience awaits the hiker. Small waterfalls 2-3 meters high block the channel and you’ll need to climb over them or find a way around them.

In winter, already in January and February, you’ll see beautiful areas of blooming daffodils. Cyclamens aplenty peep out of crannies alongside huge white broom bushes. In March, there are huge carpets of crown anemone and blue lupine. In winter, Palestinian buckthorn stand out with their fresh, green color. In this area, the bushes reach a height of 4 meters on the slopes of the riverbed, creating forest vegetation formations. It is easy to recognize the plant by its thorny branches and its leaves, which are divided into three lobes.

3. Nahal Talkid

About a kilometer further on, the slope becomes less steep and the green markings on the big rock direct hikers north (right). The climb further up the wadi is prohibited because it is an active IDF firing zone.

The slope is moderate and leads to an extension that separates Wadi Piran and the channel to its north, Nahal Talkid (Wadi Ko’od Ida). In March, this slope is covered with widespread blossoming. Near the top there is a large concentration of mild broom, a rather large and rare bush in Israel.

To the right of the top of the channel, there is a small cliff of worn rocks. We recommend climbing up to take in the magnificent view of the Jordan Valley and the Gilead.

All that is left now is to return to the exit point. A marked trail descends to Nahal Talkid. The waterfalls are a little higher here than in Wadi Piran, and there are pegs to use on your way down. At the end, there is a high, impassable waterfall. The path wisely detours to the right and returns to the parking area, by Highway 90.

About the Gilboa Iris

The end of March is a good time to feast your eyes on the blossoming Gilboa iris. Drive from the Shibli Monument about 2 km south and turn west along the paved road, following the signs to Givonit. The green NPA sign, which informs you that you’ve reached the Umm Zuka Reserve, confirms that you’re on the right track. Ascend the road about 500 meters until you reach a wide right bend in the road. From the bend, a dirt road turns west. Park here and climb the dirt road for about 500 meters. To the south of the road, after the first bend, you’ll see a large field of Gilboa irises.