Until a 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 whole families were stuck at home, staring at the walls, while the rest of the country could enjoy riverside trails, waterfalls, unique memorials and stupendous views – and picnicking in the forest.
Not any more, however – at least not in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights, the best places to be in the summer. Here are a handful of northern sites that are suitable for everyone:
1. 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. An asphalt path leads to the cave. Get there by following Route 899 east from Rosh Hanikra and heading north at the sign for Kibbutz Adamit (Route 8993). After your visit, enjoy a picnic at any number of lovely sites.
2. 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, 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 largest natural forest in the country and above the longest riverbed in the Galilee Nahal Kziv. From the Montfort Observation Point – easy to find – you have a breathtaking view of the citadel and the lush, green riverbed.
3. Tel Dan Nature Reserve: Off Highway 99 east of Kiryat Shmona
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 whether. 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.
For the full list please visit Times of Israel’s original article here
