|
|
 |
Jerusalem Post's Israel Guide, Book your hotel, Rent a car, See attractions, and Book your flight to Israel
|
| North Israel Tours:
Wheel power in the north -
A guide to the North's wheelchair and stroller accessible sites
|
|
| By: AVIVA BAR-AM |
Long ago, or so local legend has it, an angel appeared to one of a band
of thieves who made a living robbing travelers in Upper Galilee. 'Turn
over a new leaf,' warned the angel, 'or bad things will happen.'
In the morning, the thief begged his comrades to change their ways.
Annoyed, the group hatched a plan to get rid of their newly reformed
friend. They asked him to help carry out one more heist before going
straight. Placing him atop an enormous cave as a lookout, they waited
for an opportunity to throw him down into the abyss.
Suddenly the cave collapsed - except for the narrow strip on which the
'good' thief stood. Only he remained alive... standing on the remains
of Keshet (Arch) Cave.
Until a very few years ago, Israel's most delightful natural phenomena
and unique historic sites were out of bounds to parents whose toddlers
were in strollers, anyone with a cane, and people who could only move
about in wheelchairs. That meant that whole families were stuck at home
staring at the walls, while the rest of the country was enjoying
riverside trails, waterfalls, unique memorials and stupendous views -
as well as picnicking in the forest.
Not any more, however - at least not in Upper Galilee and the Golan
Heights! Here are eight great sites suitable for just about anyone!
Me'arat Keshet
Spectacular Me'arat Keshet (Keshet Cave): Off Route 8993
Once accessible only to good hikers, Keshet Cave is situated inside the
Jewish National Fund's beautiful Adamit Park. Get there by following
Route 899 east from Rosh Hanikra and heading north at the sign for
Kibbutz Adamit (Route 8993). To reach the cave itself, drive down to
the lower parking lot and take the paved route marked with a green
trail marker. After you've seen the cave, you can picnic near the
parking lot.
Montfort Observation Point
Off Route 899, east of Kibbutz Eilon.
Situated on the slopes of a hill and surrounded by rich green trees all
year round, the Montfort Citadel is a dazzling sight. It is
particularly stunning in late afternoon when the setting sun lights up
portions of the fortress.
Montfort was originally built in Roman times. During the early Crusader
period a small fortress was put up on the same site, apparently to
defend a French nobleman's estate. Decades later, the German Teutonic
Order decided to set up its own headquarters.
They bought Montfort ('strong mountain') in 1228, then expanded and
beautified the citadel until it became one of the loveliest in the
whole Crusader Kingdom.
Your best view of Montfort is from within the JNF's Goren Park, situated in the heart of the largestnatural forest in the country and above the longest riverbed in Galilee
- Nahal Kziv. Drive through the forest to see winter anemones, cyclamen
and, in spring, orchids and the flaming flowers of the Mediterranean
rosebud.
When the scenic drive splits, take the left (higher) road. Pass a
campground and a ranch, park in the lot, and follow a paved route to
the Montfort Observation Point for a breathtaking view of the citadel
and the lush, green riverbed. 
You come out of the park on Road 899, near Granot Hagalil Regional
Center. This is the back entrance to Goren Park, so if you prefer you
can begin your trip from this end.
Tel Dan Nature Reserve
Off Highway 99 east of Kiryat Shmona.
According to legend, long ago each of the three rivers went its own
separate way. For millions of years they bragged and boasted, all three
claiming to be the biggest and most beautiful body of water. Finally,
they asked God to descend from above and to decide between them.
When the Lord couldn't make up His mind, He suggested that all three
join together. The ancient wise men of Israel say that the Dan actually
won, because the word Jordan means 'came out of the Dan'.
Few sights are more refreshing than a delightfully flowing river - like
the glorious Dan. At the Tel Dan Nature Reserve, an excellent
wheelchair-accessible path takes you over and right next to the river,
with its deliciously rushing waters. The circular path takes about 45
minutes, during which you can enjoy the thickets on both sides of
bridges built over the Dan's flow.
On one side, you may see exceptionally tall Syrian ash trees endemic to
Turkey and accustomed to freezing weather. And only a few meters away
from the Syrian ash, stand thriving laurel (bay) trees, the kind whose
leaves are used for cooking. Laurel trees need a Mediterranean climate,
and that, too, is found in the reserve!
Excavations at Tel Dan have uncovered unique and fascinating remains,
some of which have been restored. These are not wheelchair accessible,
so instead, follow up your trip with a visit to nearby Beit Ussishkin.
A natural history museum offering a fascinating overview of the
region's natural phenomena, it is also the only place in the world
where the whole development of the biblical city of Dan is on display.
Here you can find artifacts from four biblical eras: the time of
Abraham, the period of the Judges, the Israelite Conquest and the
divided Kingdom.
Sa'ar Waterfall
Off Highway 99 at intersection with Route 989.
Few sights in Israel are as impressive as the extraordinary
multi-layered Sa'ar Waterfall.The waterfall's source is Nahal Sa'ar, a
river which acts as a natural border between the limestone-covered
Hermon mountain range and the basalt rocks of the Golan Heights.
Nahal Sa'ar flows from the Hermon in the direction of the Banyas River,
dropping 500 meters in only seven kilometers. The top layer of the
waterfall is 20 meters high; the bottom an additional seven.
A brand-new wheelchair accessible path takes you right up to a great
observation point next to the waterfall. Now everyone can delight in
this glorious sight - but only you if they come during the few weeks in
early spring when the waterfall flows (late February, early March).
Ancient Katzrin Village
near modern Katzrin, on Route 9088
When you visit an archeological site, your imagination has to work hard
to fill in the holes. The restorations at ancient Katzrin, however,
offer a unique and effortless peek into the past. Located about one
kilometer east of modern Katzrin, the village was re-created by
archeologists and experts in Jewish law, and realistically portrays
Jewish life between the fourth and seventh centuries.
A new, paved path takes you right to the restored
ancient-house-under-construction, a completely restored home, and the
famous Katzrin synagogue. Recently introduced, a golf cart is available
to take visitors along the path as well! It isn't necessary to reserve
but it's a good idea in season. Phone: (04) 696-2412
Round off your tour with a stop at the Golan Archeological Museum, in
the modern city center (also on route 9088). Here you can view unique
and exciting remains from the nearly three dozen Jewish villages that
studded the Golan Heights long ago. Buy a combined ticket for the
village and the museum, and hold onto your ticket stub! 
Salukiya Springs
Off Highway 87 between Bashan and Katzrin junctions.
Full of tiny waterfalls, this charming little park features wading
pools for the kiddies and a dry path for the grownups. Mei Eden, the
large mineral water company based in nearby Katzrin, helped develop the
site for visitors and says it bottles water from these springs in its
factory.
Little pools feature the riverbed frog, an amphibian that lives in
sweet water and is up to 7.5 cm. long. Fruit trees and buildings remain
from the Syrian period on the Golan. Absolutely enchanting, shaded by
eucalyptus trees, this site was developed with local materials, mainly
dark, basalt rock. The path, although not asphalt, is well-suited to
strollers and wheelchairs.
Mitzpe Ofir
Ofir Lookout: Off Route 789, road leads west 2 kilometers north of Moshav Givat Yoav.
In your zeal to find just the right view of Lake Kinneret, don't forget
Mitzpe Ofir! Towering nearly 480 meters above the lake's shimmering
waters, the spot served as the perfect outpost for Syrian sharpshooters
from 1948 until the Golan Heights came under Israeli control during the
Six Day War. The troops must have had a field day - not only did they
have an excellent view of the settlements below, making it easy to take
potshots whenever they wished - but in April they could feast their
eyes on the wild, pink-and-purple blossom called the Mesopotamica iris
(iris aram naharayim, in Hebrew).
With the help of the Jewish National Fund, Jewish Agency and the local council, Mitzpe Ofir was
developed by Jimmy Sha'al of nearby Moshav Givat Yoav as a memorial to
his son Ofir: the youth died of a long, lingering illness at the age of
16. A grove of 16 olive trees planted here symbolizes each year of his
short life. The stone picnic tables and overlook near the parking lot
are accessible to wheelchairs (paving consists of flat basalt rock);
hike up the hill to a second, unusual group of stone tables with a
stupendous view of Lake Kinneret, Kibbutz Ein Gev, Kursi, and, on the
other side of the water, Tiberias and the mountains of Lower Galilee.
Mitzpe Gadot
Gadot Overlook: Off Highway 91 and 1.5 kilometers northeast of the Daughters of Jacob Bridge.
For 19 years following the establishment of the State of Israel in
1948, Syrian troops stationed in the Golan Heights fired relentlessly
on the settlers below. Life was a living hell for members of the
kibbutzim for farmers plowed their fields from behind tanks and
children played, studied and slept inside shelters. Until Israel
captured the Heights in the Six Day War more than 400 shooting
incidents occurred. On one black day, over a thousand shells were fired
at Kibbutz Gadot alone. 
One former Syrian base is now called Mitzpe Gadot. The site of
particularly harsh battles, it now hosts a central memorial for
soldiers of the 33rd Battalion who lost their lives taking this site
and the adjacent position in '67. Also remembered are those from the
same battalion who were killed here during the Yom Kippur War and in
the Lebanon campaign in 1982.
The overlook and memorial site is a lovely, tranquil spot sporting
wildflowers, butterflies and lizards sunning themselves on the rocks.
From a bench shaded by eucalyptus trees you can look down from the
heights to see the eastern Hula Valley spread out directly below and
with it the fields of Kibbutz Gadot. Try to sense the immensity of the
Syrian's strategic advantage on this hill, and imagine spending night
after night in underground shelters, or tilling your fields constantly
accompanied by tanks. Listen to an audio guide for more information on
the area and its history.
|
|
|
|
|
