This is a good map of the area around Beit Shemesh:
Numbers in blue are km distances between dots.
Numbers in red are elevation (in meters above sea level).
Road line colors are explained below the map.
Green – Wide shoulders and light traffic
Yellow – Wide shoulders and moderate traffic OR narrow shoulders and light traffic
Blue – Wide shoulders and heavy traffic OR narrow shoulders and moderate traffic OR no shoulders and light traffic
Purple – Narrow shoulders and heavy traffic OR no shoulders and moderate traffic
Red – No shoulders and heavy traffic
Black – not rated
Click here for more of this sort of map.
Popular routes:
- Nes Harim – Due east of Bet Shemesh. Long uphill. Can return down Tzur Hadassah
- Tzur Hadassah – Due east of Ramat Bet Shemesh. Long, windy uphill. Narrow shoulders.
- Ramat Raziel – A bit north of Bet Shemesh then east. Very challenging uphill. Road continues to Ein Kerem and can return via Nes Harim or Tzur Hadassah for the downhill back.
- Triangle – Northeast of Bet Shemesh from route 44, north at Nachshon on 3, west at Latrun on 424, and return on 44. Strava map
- Beit Guvrin – south of Beit Shemesh on 38, west on 353, down farm road to Beit Guvrin, across 35, and back up 38.
- Big Loop – 100km ride: 44 west to Nachshon, 3 south to Tsomet Reem, 40 south past Kiryat Melachi to Tsomet Plugot, 35 east past Kiryat Gat and up to Beit Guvrin, then 38 north and around Bet Shemesh. Can be done in opposite direction. Strava map
- Tel Aviv – Another 100km ride: from Beit Shemesh up to route 44 all the way west to the end is about 50km in each direction.
- Ashkelon – Another 100km ride: down 38 to 35 all the way west to the edge of Ashkelon. Then go up 4 a bit to 3 past Kiryat Melachi, right at Reem up to 44 and back down 38. Map
- Sderot – like Ashkelon, with a little excursion towards Sderot for 120km. Map