Wadi Qelt is a unique spring-fed desert ravine that provides a phenomenal hiking experience. It starts nearby Jerusalem and extends along the Adumim Ascent (Ma’aleh Adumim), the same ascent in which Jesus would have gone from Jericho to Jerusalem. One of its attractions is the gorgeous St George Monastery, built by the hermit John Thebes in the 5th century CE and later restored by the Crusaders. Visitors can also view the oldest synagogue in the world located in this desert ravine.
Along the way is the Prat National Park that contains the three springs (Prat, Qilt, Fawwar) which supplies the wadi with water. First settled by hermit Haritoun, the 4th century Firan monastery built into the cliff overlooks the Prat area. You can walk along an ancient aqueduct, picnic along the wadi, swim in the fresh water pool or enjoy an ice cream from the refreshment stand. Also mentioned in the Bible, Prat is the location that Jeremiah the prophet hid his loincloth (Jeremiah 13:5) and where he bought a field in nearby Anatot (Jeremiah 32:9).
