Mt Hermon General Overview

The highest point in Israel is an inviting place to hike all year round. Skiers, of course, will head straight for Mount Hermon in winter, but those who prefer to walk can also have a ball there. When summer has already set in over the rest of the country, Mount Hermon is still bursting with the vitality of an extended springtime.

In the dog days of July and August, take a break from the beach and the steaming city and cool off on the Golan. Don't forget to bring warm clothing with you - the nights are nippy. On a clear day, which is the norm in summer, you'll have a superb view of the mountains of: Galilee, the Golan, and southern Lebanon. And even in the middle of summer, there are still snowy areas in the upper part of Mount Hermon (the chair lift operates all year round).

Summer visitors can enter the site free of charge and take part in free tours led by guides from the Nature Reserves Authority. You can also take a jeep tour, with the expert assistance of Safari Hahermon.

The slopes of Mount Hermon offer other attractions as well. Part of the area is classified as a military zone, which means you'll have to make advance arrangements if you want to visit there. The hosts at your lodgings can tell you how.

A particularly noteworthy Hermon site is Har Habtarim, 1,296 meters above sea level on the slopes of Katef Sion. According to tradition, this is where God promised Abraham that He would give the land to his descendants. An ancient tomb marks the spot, and huge oaks grow next to it.

Next to the summit of Har Kahal (1411 meters above sea level), lead quarries have been discovered; the source of raw materials for the kohl used in ancient eye makeup. Further down is the proud Ka'alat Namrud, one of the best preserved maseluke fortresses from the Crusader period in Israel. The citadel overlooks the Banias Spring, where you can have a refreshing hike even on the hottest summer days.

At the Druse hospitality center in the village of Ein Kinya, you can learn about Druse life on the Golan and get a taste of it as well, with Druse pita, labaneh, and coffee.

Next to the tomb of Nebi Hazuri, the Jewish National Fund developed a lovely wayside picnic spot. In Neve Ativ, art lovers will enjoy visiting the gallery and workshop of a local artist who works in glass. Hungry? Habokrim Restaurant (Merom Golan) and the Druse eateries will satisfy any appetite. In summer, don't miss the berry picking at Moshav Sha'al.

 

Pictures of Mt. Hermon

 

 

More pictures winter 2005

Mount Hermon - Facts:

 

Mount Hermon is the most northern point of Israel.

Mount Hermon is the highest point in Israel, it's highest peak gets up to about 2224 meters above sea level.

Mount Hermon is home to the only skiing site in Israel.

Mount Hermon is important because of it's strategic advantage, on a clear day Israel can see deep in to the Syrian territory.

In the year 1973 as part of the "Yom Kippur" war Israel took over Mount Hermon from the hands of the Syrians.

In winter, Mount Hermon is covered with snow! And packed with thousands of Israelis coming to see and ski the only snow they have in Israel.

People say Mount Hermon is the only "real" Mountain in Israel, and that all the other Mountains are just high hills.

The highest point on Mount Hermon is home to sophisticated and latest technology Radar and Tracking systems of the I.D.F (Israel Defense Forces - the Israeli army) who are part of our strategic advantage over Syria.

Mount Hermon is a separate part of the Golan Heights (Geographically).

The Skiing Site is run by the only Jewish settlement on the Mountain - Neve Ativ.

Mount Hermon's name in Arabic - "Jabel El Sheich"

The Vertical drop in the Mount Hermon Skiing site is 620 meters.

 

Settlements on Mount Hermon:

 

Neve Ativ - Jewish settlement

Majdel Shams - Druse Town

Ein Kynia - Druse village

 

Other Peaks on Mount Hermon:

 

Mt. Kachal - 1411 meters above sea level.

Mt. Shazif - 1541 meters above sea level.

Mt. Alon - 1381 meters above sea level.

Mt. Sna'aim - 1146 meters above sea level.

Mt. Habterim - 1296 meters above sea level.

Mt. Agas - 1352 meters above sea level.

Mt. Dov - 1529 meters above sea level.

Mt. Habusheet - Unknown Altitude.

Mt. Shaked - 2012 meters above sea level.

Mt Shalhavit - 1983 meters above sea level.

 

LookOut points:

 

Mitzpe Ramta - 1194 meters above sea level.

Mitzpe Bulan - Unknown Altitude.

Mitzpe Naftaly - Unknown Altitude.

Mitzpe Horan - above ~2000 meters

Mitzpe Shlagim - 2224 meters above sea level.

 

Additional Sources: 

1. The Mount Hermon web site!

 2. PLACES TO STAY

 3. Golan Photo Gallery

  

The story of the Golan

The Golan Heights is a plateau in the northeast of Israel, border of Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

Formed of volcanic rock it rises up to 1700 ft above the surrounding land, it drops off to the west to the Sea of Galilee, and the Jordan River, and to the south to the Yarmouk River. The Golan is usually divided into three regions: northern (between Nahals Sa'ar and Gilabon), central (between Nahals Gilabon and Dilayot), and southern (between Nahal Dilayot and the Yarmouk Valley).

 

In the Six Days War, in 1967, the IDF climbed the Golan and freed the Israeli residents of the North from the nightmare of Syrian military presence on the Golan.

 

For the 19 years that Syria ruled the Golan, the area was used as a military platform for continuous attacks against the settlements in the Hula, Galilee and Jordan Valley. Only after taking over the Golan, it was found how vital the area is for the security of Israel and for maintaining our water sources. This knowledge has led to the decision of the government that the Golan should become an inseparable part of Israel. This decision was brought into reality by establishing communities on the Golan, developing the region and by officially annexing it to the State of Israel.

The annexation took place by a special law - "The Law of the Golan" which was accepted by the Israeli Parliament in December 1981.

 

Returning to the Golan has reconnected us to our Jewish legacy in this region and to the long history of the Jewish people that lived on the Golan. From God's promise to Abraham, through the dispersion of the twelve tribes of Israel, the thriving village of Gamla dating back to Temple times, significant Jewish presence during the Talmudic period, and to the settlement of Bnei Yehuda established on the Golan in the beginning of the Zionist movement at the end of the 19th century; connects the Jewish people with the Golan for over 3,000 years.

 

During the last 33 years a vibrant reality has been created on the Golan that can set an example to every other region in Israel. The establishment of 33 communities, a developed economy, and prosperous tourism are only examples of what has been achieved. Famous tourism sites that attract over 2 million visitors a years, are spread all across the Golan from the ski resort on the Hermon Mountain in the north to the hot water springs in Hamat Gader in the South. In between, canyons with white water springs, the seashores of the Eastern Kinneret, and impressive historical remains like Gamla, Qatzrin, and Nimrod's Castle can be found.

 

Maps of the Golan

For more details see  http://english.golan.org.il/

The Golan Heights profile  

 

 The Golan Heights Water Sources Map  

 The Golan Heights Communities Map