Recently, KKL, together with the Kishon Drainage Authority and the Southern Jordan Rivers Drainage Authority, inaugurated the Kishon River Trail – the first segments of the transformative "From the Sea to the Jordan" project. These are the debut sections of a massive natural corridor planned to stretch approximately 90 km.
The trail that has now opened reflects for the first time on the ground the vision of the project: A restored river, riverbanks returned to nature, new walking and cycling paths, and points of interest including springs, tree planting, and the rehabilitation of river vegetation. The inauguration marks the transition from a vision that has been developing for over two decades to a stage of tangible recreational infrastructure.
The Project: From the Mediterranean to the Jordan Valley
"From the Sea to the Jordan" is a large-scale national initiative that will, for the first time in Israel, create a continuous natural corridor about 90 km long, connecting the Jordan Valley to the meeting point of the Kishon River with the Mediterranean Sea. The corridor will include walking trails, cycling routes, nature sites, overnight camping areas, restored rivers, and new tourist attractions along its entire length, alongside connections to bicycle paths and recreational infrastructure.
Although the idea of restoring the rivers and establishing a regional natural corridor emerged in KKL already in the early 2000s, heavy infrastructure, railway construction, the gas pipeline, agricultural lands, and other obstacles prevented the project from being planned. Only in recent years have KKL and the drainage authorities managed to remove dozens of planning barriers and create a clear implementation route.
What Has Been Done So Far?
So far, more than 20 km of concrete trail have been restored and prepared, alongside tree planting, riverbank vegetation rehabilitation, and strengthening of local habitats along the Kishon River. The work was carried out with an investment of millions of shekels from KKL and the Open Spaces Fund, in collaboration with the Kishon Drainage Authority and the authorities through whose jurisdiction the river passes – the Zevulun Regional Council, Jezreel Valley, and Kiryat Tivon.
Already today, a significant change can be seen: Habitats for wildlife are reopening, species that had disappeared for years are returning, animal movement along the corridor is increasing, and natural riverbank vegetation is being restored.
Planning for 2026 and beyond includes continuing the development of a dedicated recreational trail along the Harod, Navot, Gilboa, and Kishon rivers, integrating key points of interest such as Lake Kfar Baruch, Tel Jezreel, and Ein Jezreel. This is part of a transformative project intended to make this unique area accessible to the public, in collaboration with the Southern Jordan Drainage Authority and the Gilboa and Valley of Springs regional councils.
Sheli Ben-Yishai, KKL Northern District Director: "The Kishon River Trail is the story of a river that has returned to breathe in every aspect, and this is just the beginning. For me, it is a personal journey that began about 25 years ago, when I planted many trees along the river out of belief in its restoration potential, and now it is being realized as a national transformative project creating an ecological corridor and continuous trail of about 90 km from the sea to the Jordan."
Danny Atar, Head of Gilboa Regional Council: "Collaboration with partner organizations and, later, with additional local authorities along the corridor, will allow all of us to enjoy the revival of a central landscape strip in Israel. The project will enrich the area with recreational and walking sites, and establish the valley not only as the cradle of working settlement in Israel, but also as a space of scenic spots and biodiversity preservation."
Uri Regev, CEO of the Kishon Drainage Authority: "I see in my vision a national trail route that begins in Haifa, passes through the Jezreel Valley, continues to Gilboa, and to the Harod Valley and the Jordan Rift. This is the only transverse corridor in the country with such significance for both recreation and natural systems."