srettig24 This is the compilation of several hiking trips I took to the Golan Heights in Israel. I was fortunate to see several of the major (but not all!) tourist attractions and natural spots in Northern Israel.
Odem
I was able to stay in a hostel in Odem for a few days and was able to get a look at the beautiful landscape around this village. From the top of mount Odem you can see the Mount Hermon which is the furthers mountain still in Israel. From the top (which you need a special permit for since it has a military base and is stationed by the Israeli military) you can see the boarder of Lebanon and Syria.
Hiking in Israel… and Why it can be a Unique Experience
Hiking in Israel typically takes two forms. The FIRST: is a park managed by the government that you have to pay for (can be a bit pricey in my opinion) where they have ‘Park Rangers’ and maps and all the rest like at most hiking parks. The picture below is of one of these places. I also learned the hard way- some trails can close as early as 11 Am in the winter and all these parks close by 2 pm which gives tourists a limited time to see and enjoy. These parks also include many “Emergency Exits” which apparently if the area gets invaded you can….. start running to the choke point (parking lot) faster? **Not all the emergency exits are well marked, so make sure you are on the real trail at all time.** The SECOND: An area which is located between two fences one which might say “Danger Landmines”, “Danger Firing Range” , “Danger Practice Area”, or just you’r generic “DANGER” sign. While I thought hiking in Israel was beautiful- and I hope you do too after seeing my photos, hiking in Israel is not the same as hiking in other parts of the world, you need to be very aware of your surrounds.
Banias Springs or Hermon Stream
The Banias Babieeeeeee. The name Banias is actually the Arabic pronunciation of name Paneas or Pameas. The Banias has a rich cultural history, with influences from the Greek, and than the Romans under King Herod. After the death of King Herod, his son Philip made the Banias his capital. During the Byzantine period the Palace of Agrippa II was built. The Banias were a strategic stronghold for the Muslims during the Crusades. You can see remains of this history throughout the park as well as the beautiful natural landscape.
These photos were taken along the suspended trail, a series of suspended walkways attached to the basalt canyon walls that allows you to see the Harmon Stream from above. The water from Hermon Stream is from water run-off from Mount Hermon. Some of the water is also from springs near the caves within the Banias.
Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve
Yehudiya is one of the more known parks in the Golan and I recommend a visit. Yehudiya is a beautiful park located along a ravine and is part of what makes it a ideal stop if you have come to Israel to hike. Yehudiya is also one of the largest parks in the Golan and I thought it had a large variety in the landscape worth seeing- plus a waterfall and hexagon pool. Hexagon pools, named after the prism or hexagon structure of the rocks make this area unique. They say the best adventures are the ones where you don’t know where you are going. Boy howdy, were we lost the whole time, ….and not just lost in the beauty of the landscape! Despite a few close calls it was an amazing and memorial day!
Nimrod Fortress
I took this photo of the fortress and thought “I have to get up there!”. I made the trip about 3 weeks later. I The fortress is also called- Qal’at Subayba (the Cliff Fortress). Named after the mythical hunter Nimrod King of the Shinar and the great-grandson of Noah. According to legend, Nimrod was punished by Allah, who put a mosquito inside his head that drove him mad here in the location the fortress is now. In another legend, Nimrod built his castle here and from it stretched out his long arms to draw water from the Banias Stream.
The fortress was built by Sultan el-Kamal with his brother al’Aziz ‘Othman in 1227 in order to protect the road to Damascus. After the threats were gone, they continued to build. The Crusaders attempted to take the fortress again but did not succeed. It was during the fight against the Mongols that the sultan gave the fortress to his second and command Bilik who commemorated him in the stones of the fortress which remain today.
The fortress has a secret/hidden passageway, a moat, and a prison tower located on an isolated highpoint above a valley. I was blown away by the beauty of the landscape, but also how difficult it would be to capture, seemed like the textbook example of… well a fortress. And to think it was built in the 1200s!
Mount Ben Tel
The most impressive thing about Mount Bental is that you can see Syria from its peak. This common tourist stop is complete with a gift shop and restaurant on top. I found the experience unsettling though because it is also a war monument to celebrate the Israeli victory over the Syrians in the 1960s when Israel took the Golan Heights. While I found the glorification a bit soon since the fighting occurred in 1960, but it is worth seeing as the underground tunnels and are still there, and you do get a look at Israeli national pride.
Pelter Winery
Located near Mount Bental Pelter winery brings together the sophistication and young energy of Tel Aviv in a quiet and lush location. The wine was some of the best Ive tasted, and the wine tasting is free. The wine in Israel and particularly in the Golan boasts unique flavors. It is recommended to get the cheese plate or of course, buy some wine to drink later!
Jilabun Waterfall
Jilabun is a 680-foot waterfall and is the highest-flowing waterfall in all of Israel. The hike to this waterfall starts walking along two fences between military training areas but then opens up into a more wild and natural landscape, with a climb down to the waterfall. The hike is easy and the waterfall is stunning.
Abandoned Syrian Village
This village was across from the entrance to the park where the waterfall Jilabon is located. It was a cloudy and misty day adding to the mystery of this place, I was unable to find any information. To me this was a cold reminder that the Golan Heights to some is considered to be “Israeli occupied Syria”. I hope that the stories of those who lived here have a chance to be heard.
To A and E- All the travel advice, the conversation, and the hospitality. A- Great Travel buddy S- killer photos man, happy hiking, and thanks for letting me tag along L-thanks for the interesting conversations and the insights
