Herzeliya (or Herzliya) Marina is a chic and swanky marina lined with luxurious hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes, and a mall along the promenade. It is usually crowded during weekends.
It is also a relatively new biking option, but it is already fantastic. From the northern tip of the Tel Aviv Port, take the bridge over the Yarkon Estuary and then go left. If you follow the path round, then you will have the Reading Power station on your right, the sea to the left and behind – stunning views and another bridge directly in front of you. Over the bridge and this is paradise for those who like their planes up close and personal – you are at the end of the Sede Dov runway. Take the promenade / broad walk (in front of you) and you can race airplanes!
After about three kilometers, you get to Tel Baruch beach. There are many things to do here — enjoy the beach, have a picnic or meal, or head inland along the bike trail at the northern end of the car park. Follow the trail along side the road to the first traffic light, turn left along the curiously named 2040 street until the bike lane runs out. Here you can cross the road and take the bike trail back towards the coast. On your right, you will see the car park for the country club. It is fairly safe to cycle through and pick up the wide trail on the northern side of the club. You have a two-to-three-kilometer cycle along this trail, along the cliff top. It is shared with cars, but is wide enough that with care it shouldn’t be a problem.
Follow the trail to the right as it meets up with a real road. Turn left and after a few hundred meters you will see the entrance to one of Herzeliya’s beaches and also the entrance to the Herzeliya Marina’s pier. Generally, you can cycle down and catch the views, villa, boats and sea. On occasion you may have to chain up and complete the pier section on foot.
Way back is a simple reversal, although the wind tends to be in your face, so it is a bit slower, but you get some worthwhile views of Tel Aviv.
Don’t forget to pack a camera; and the first part of the trail is suitable for children. The rest of the trail is also okay for those who can do an almost 20-kilometer trip and manage some off-the-road work.
For more information, check out The New Tayelet.