Tours from Tiberias
ROUTE No. 17 (Circling the Sea of Galilee) Tiberias -
Hamei Tiberias - Deganya - En Gev - Kursi (Gergessa) - Capernaum (Kfar Nahum) -
Tiberias
ROUTE No. 18 (Northern
Golan and Galilee Enclave) Tiberias - Pool of Ram - Banias - Tel Hai - Metulla
- Hazor
ROUTE No. 19 (The
Southern and Central Golan) Tiberias - Hamat Gader (El Hamma) - Kfar Haruv - Gamla
- Katzrin
ROUTE No. 20 (Eastern
Upper Galilee) Tiberias - Rosh Pinna - Zefat - Meron - Bar'am - Metzudat Yesha
- Tiberias
ROUTE No. 21 (The
Valley of Bet Shean) Tiberias - Kokhav Hayarden - Bet Shean - Sakhne - Ma'ayan
Harod
ROUTE No. 17
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Circling the Sea of Galilee (Anti-clockwise)
Tiberias - Hamei Tiberias (2 km.) - Deganya (10 km.) - En Gev (23 km.) - Kursi
(Gergessa) (28 km.) - Capernaum (Kfar Nahum) (57 km.) - Tiberias (73 km.) (Road
Nos. 90, 92, 98, 87.)
(Distances in brackets refer to start of route.)
The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by beaches, water- sport parks, fishing areas,
picnic and camping grounds, guest houses and other tourist facilities.
Take the southern main road (No. 90) out of Tiberias, and
drive along the many beaches and picnic sites on the western shore of the lake.
Hamat is 2 km. from downtown Tiberias and is within the city's municipal area.
HAMEI TIBERIAS - HAMAT
SWISS FOREST OBSERVATION POINT
DEGANYA
EN GEV
KURSI (GERGESSA)
TABGHA
CAPERNAUM (KFAR NAHUM)
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ROUTE No. 18
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Northern Golan and Galilee Enclave
Tiberias - Pool of Ram (78 km.) - Banias (93 km.) - Tel Hai (132 km.) - Metulla
(140 km.) - Hazor (177 km.) (Road Nos. 90, 91, 98, 99.)
(Distances in brackets refer to start of route. Be careful near uncleared
minefields.)
On the map the Golan Heights look like a bulge in the northeastern corner of
Israel.
The Golan's known history is very long. It was one of the
first territories held by the tribe of Menashe, which conquered it from King Og
(Deut. 3:11) it is known in the Old Testament as Bashan. Jews lived in the
Golan even in the late Roman and Christian eras, when more central places like
Jerusalem were forbidden to them. The ruins of 27 synagogues have been found on
the Golan.
During the Ottoman Period (1517-1917 CE) the Golan came
under the control of Damascus, as part of the Turkish Empire.
This volcanic high plateau then passed into British and
French hands before reverting to Syrian control in 1946. It was sparsely
populated by Bedouin, Circassians and Druze. In 1948, the Syrians turned it
into a military area. As it towers over the Hula Valley, it was used for the
constant harassment of the Jewish villages and towns in the valley below. The
Syrian bunkers can be seen to the present day, and the remains of their army
camps are strewn all over the area.
In the Six Day War (1967) the Golan was taken by the Israeli
Defence Forces in retaliation for Syrian attacks and in order to prevent an
attempt to divert the River Banias (one of Israel's main water sources).
The empty spaces are now being cultivated and the Golan is
no longer one big army camp. But there are still uncleared minefields. Do not
ignore warning signs and take care around fenced areas. In the 1973 Yom Kippur
War the Syrians invaded the Golan, as Israeli forces there were totally
unprepared. In the central area the Syrians reached Nafach.
After the war a U.N. force was stationed along the eastern
border of the Golan, with its main base near the Syrian town of Quneitra, now
in a demilitarized zone.
In 1982 the Golan was declared a part of Israel, today the
status of the area is the subject of peace talks with Syria. The Druze
residents in their four villages in the northeastern part of the plateau
comprise the only original ethnic group that has remained in the area. Some of
them accepted Israeli citizenship, others preferred to remain ``Syrians
abroad'' (see the chapter dealing with Communities in Israel).
The Golan area is where you'll find Israel's highest
mountain: the Hermon (2,224 metres high). The Banias (Hermon) River flows
through it. The Yarmuk River separates the Golan from the Kingdom of Jordan.
Set aside at least five hours for this trip, which takes in
the Golan Heights with dramatic vistas of much of north eastern Israel,
National Parks sites, picnic spots and cascading waterfalls. Drive north of
Tiberias along the snaking road (No. 90) that provides a marvellous opportunity
to look down on the entire Sea of Galilee.
The road to the left goes to Hazor and Metula. Two
kilometres further on, take the right fork (Road No. 91) and pass the cowsheds
of Mahanayim. South of the kibbutz is the regional airfield. The Hula Valley
opens up on your left and soon you reach Mishmar Hayarden, built anew after the
previous settlement, located further east, was completely destroyed by the
Syrians in 1948. A road branches off left to Gadot, the settlement that
suffered greatly from Syrian shelling until the Golan Heights were captured in
1967. Continue along Road No. 91. One kilometre later the road descends and
crosses the Jordan River over the Bnot Yaaqov (Daughters of Jacob) Bridge. The
ruins of Chastelet (Mezad Ateret), the Crusader castle built in 1178 and
destroyed the following year by Saladin, are close by to your right. Observe,
too, the remains of an undated Khan (inn) that used to serve travellers. The
bridge is associated with many other famous battles in history. This is where
the British finally put an end to Turkish hegemony in the area during World War
I. The British also broke through at this place to advance on Vichy-controlled
Syria in World War II. The bridge witnessed fierce battles as the Israelis
stormed the Golan Heights in 1967 and repulsed the Syrians in 1973. The road
climbs and you begin to appreciate the strategic value of the Golan Heights
when you peer down on the telescoped and vulnerable Hula Valley far below.
Continue on round a corner and swing left to Mitzpe Gadot
(Lookout over Gadot). Observe the Syrian bunkers. The large black basalt stone
memorial contains the names of the Israeli soldiers who died in action while
seizing this site.
The road passes turn-offs to a number of new agricultural
settlements. It also runs very close to a good example of swirling tuff - the
fragmentary material ejected by exploding volcanoes millennia ago. (Road No.
9088, to your right, takes you to the new town of Katzrin. See end of Route No.
19.)
Ten kilometres after the bridge, you cross the fenced-off
T.A.P. oil pipeline that starts at Bahrein in the Persian Gulf and crosses
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Israel before reaching the Lebanon. Stretching
over 1,750 km., it is one of the longest oil pipelines in the world.
There are more roads branching off to farming settlements,
but you are advised to keep to the main road as the area is dotted with
minefields, which are, of course, marked off with yellow and red warning signs.
Eventually, Road No. 91 passes the fields of Ortal and En
Zivan. Travellers who were in this area, on the perimeter of Quneitra, in the
months immediately following the 1967 war, will readily appreciate the giant
strides made in farming on previously neglected but fertile land.
The road forks, and taking the left hand road (No. 98)
observe the Syrian town of Quneitra straight ahead. The road passes settled
areas, including Kibbutz El Rom, 72 km. from Tiberias, and a number of Druze
villages. In spring, the area is a mass of perfumed greenery.
Drive on until you reach Mas'ada, a Druze village 14 km.
northwest of Quneitra and very close to the Pool of Ram (Birket Ram). Banias is
11 km. to the left (Road No. 99) but you should continue left over the bridge
to Majdal Shams (on Road No. 98).
A few kilometres up the hill, the road turns right to the
large Druze settlement at Majdal Shams (Tower of the Sun) perched at the foot
of lofty Mt. Hermon, 2,224 m. above sea level. Majdal Shams was strafed by
Syrian aircraft during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and fierce fighting took
place on Mt. Hermon.
Covered by snow in winter, Mt. Hermon has been developed as
a skiing centre by the nearby settlement of Neve Ativ, where accommodation is
available all year round.
If you are here in winter you should continue on through
Majdal Shams to the parking lot and immediately transfer to an Egged bus
heading for the ski slopes, where there are full skiing facilities, including
several chair-lifts. When you drive back via Mas'ada towards Banias, stop at
the Pool of Ram. (You can also drive via Neve Ativ and the Castle of Nimrod on
Road No. 989.)
Fed by springs and melting snow from the Hermon, this
elliptical pool is set in the crater of a long-dormant volcano. The walls of
the crater above the level of the blue water are lush and scented in the summer
months by fruit trees. In the winter, snow covers the high banks to a depth of
60 centimetres. Archaeological excavations here have uncovered some of the
earliest tools found in Israel, made by the ancestors of modern man in the
Lower Palaeolithic period, over 70,000 years ago.
The pool is 900 m. long and 600 m. wide it is by no means
only a scenic delight - the Druze villagers living nearby fish daily for the
carp and hafaf that were first placed here in 1958. It is also a swimmer's
paradise in the summer - conjuring up visions of Switzerland with its motionless,
clean and fresh beauty.
On Road No. 99 to Banias (Banyas) you begin to wind round
hills and gorges, each of which seems to outdo the previous one in its allure.
But on the way down the northern Golan Heights you are constantly reminded of
its military associations when you pass interesting monuments, such as the one
at Ein Fit inscribed with a date - 10 June 1967 - and commemorating Israeli
casualties. Nearby is Mitzpe Golani, another memorial and observation point.
The Hula Valley spreads out below and the road passes very
close to innumerable Syrian bunkers. Soon, however, the road passes a picnic
site set in olive groves and then crosses a narrow bridge before the
self-service restaurant ahead and the parking lot at Banias, to your right.
BANIAS
TEL HAI
HAZOR
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ROUTE No. 19
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The Southern and Central Golan
Tiberias - Hamat Gader (El Hamma) (19 km.) - Kfar Haruv (32 km.) - Gamla (60
km.) - Katzrin (74 km.) (Road Nos. 90, 98, 808, 9088.)
(Distances in brackets refer to start of route. Be careful around uncleared
minefields.)
This half-day route touches the southern border between the Golan Heights and
the Kingdom of Jordan, takes you up the heights on a scenic road, and covers
sites from prehistory to the Roman period. It also follows the southern route
of the Israeli army in 1967, and the Israeli counter-attack in the 1973 Yom
Kippur war in the Northern Golan.
Take the southern road (No. 90) out of Tiberias (Route No.
17) and go southeastwards to Hamat Gader (El Hamma) on Road No. 98. As you
proceed along this road, you will see the Yarmuk River on your right it marks
the border with Jordan. Hamat Gader was a health centre in Roman times the site
includes a 42C pool and the ruins of an elaborate Roman bath and theatre.
Refreshments, shower facilities, etc., are available. There is a large
crocodile farm, open to visitors. Entrance fee. (See ``Health Resorts.'')
From Hamat Gader, going back the way you came, you very soon
reach a narrow, winding road going uphill to your right. This is not for novice
or nervous drivers. As an alternative, go back to the junction of Road 92 and
Road 98, where you turn right on Road 92 towards En Gev, passing Haon, and then
right at Kursi to reach Ramat Magshimim by a wide, modern road. If you do
decide on the first route, continue on it for about 13 kms. along the plateau
and you will come to Kibbutz Kfar Haruv. A secondary road that goes around the
kibbutz on your left takes you to the Shalom observation point and an old
Syrian stronghold. The Sea of Galilee lies below you, and the greenery of
Kibbutz En Gev.
Rejoining the main road (No. 98) you drive straight on
towards Ramat Magshimim, where you take Road No. 808 to ancient Gamla. Don't
take the first fork left at Tzomet Daliyot, but the one slightly further on,
which takes you to Gamla. (If you take the first road, you will soon find a
sign pointing right to Gamla along an unpaved road.)
Gamla was the last fort taken by the Romans when putting
down the revolt of the Jews in Galilee and the Golan that ended with the
destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Josephus Flavius describes the siege that took a month and
occupied three Roman legions (60,000 troops) led by Titus (later a Caesar). The
last Jewish defenders with their women and children jumped into the abyss,
preferring death to slavery. As you stand by the car park looking at the
conical hill, it is easy to see the advantages of the fort's position. A
footpath leads down the valley and up to the archaeological site where the
remains of a fortified wall and a big public building, probably a synagogue,
are to be found. Archaeological work is still going on here.
There are a number of possible walks from the car park. They
all start with a path that leads north through the biggest chalcolithic or
early Bronz Age burial ground in the Golan, strewn with almost 200 enormous
dolomite stones (dolmens) in table-like constructions that served as tombs for
the men who lived here some 6,000 years ago.
One path leads to the rocks through which Wadi Gamla winds
its way. It affords a lovely view of this wild gorge in winter, there's a
waterfall. South of the parking lot is an observation point and a memorial to
the settlers of the Golan Heights.
Leaving Gamla the way you came, you turn left on Road No. 808, continuing north until you reach a crossing turn left (west) onto Road No. 87 until you get to another crossing. Here you turn right on Road No. 9088 towards Katzrin.
Turn right to Katzrin Industrial Centre 200m further on, to
the left, is the Golan Heights Winery, which produces some of Israel's finest
wines (Golan, Gamla, Yarden, etc.). There is a visitors' centre with guided
tours of the winery, including wine-tasting, for a small fee.
Before you reach the town you will find a sign pointing to
your right that says: ``Katzrin Synagogue.'' A short ride on a secondary road
brings you to the archaeological site of one of the many ancient synagogues
found on the Golan. This was one of the first places settled by the 12 tribes
of Israel around 1300 BCE. The synagogue probably dates from the 4th century
CE.
When you drive to nearby Katzrin, try to look in at the
Golan Archaeological Museum, which will give you a general idea of
archaeological excavations and finds in the area. Highlights include an
audio-visual presentation of the heroic story of the Jewish city of Gamla and
Jewish, Christian, and pagan settlement during the Byzantine period. At nearby
Park Katzrin, the open-air museum and synagogue in the ancient village
recreates Jewish daily life during the Talmudic period. The park also includes
an outdoor exhibit of modern basalt sculpture and its natural environment. Open
Sun. - Thurs. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fridays 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays and holidays 10
a.m. - 4 p.m. Entrance fee. Tel. (06)961350.
Katzrin, a town founded in 1977, serves as the urban centre
of the Golan. It is a good example of a modern, planned Israeli town. Several
restaurants and shops are centred in a service area. The town has some industry
and provides services to the agricultural settlements of the Golan.
Back on the main road, turn right and return to Tzomet
Katzrin. The right fork brings you, 14 km. later, to Arik's Bridge over the
Jordan River. Drive around the Sea of Galilee to Tiberias.
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ROUTE No. 20
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Eastern Upper Galilee
Tiberias - Rosh Pinna (26 km.) - Zefat (34 km.) - Meron (41 km.) - Bar'am (52
km.) - Metzudat Yesha (77 km.) - Tiberias (121 km.) (Road Nos. 89, 90, 899.)
(Distances in brackets refer to start of route.)
Drive out of Tiberias on Road No. 90, which swerves north along the Sea of
Galilee. Follow Route No. 17 in reverse until you reach the Vered HaGalil farm
guest house 21 km. away. Keep to the main road until you reach Rosh Pinna 5 km.
later.
ROSH PINNA
ZEFAT (SAFAD)
MERON
METZUDAT YESHA
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ROUTE No. 21
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The Valley of Bet Shean
Tiberias - Kokhav Hayarden (29 km.) - Bet Shean (45 km.) - Sakhne (48 km.) -
Ma'ayan Harod (64 km.) (Road Nos. 71, 90, 669, 717.)
(Distances in brackets refer to start of route.)
This very short route is packed with adventure and brings you close to the
Jordan River, to the Bet Shean, Harod and Jezreel Valleys, and to many frontier
settlements. At the end of the trip you have the choice of returning to
Tiberias or proceeding to Haifa or to Jerusalem (through Samaria) and on to Tel
Aviv.
Drive south along the Sea of Galilee on Road No. 90 towards
Hamei Tiberias, following the beginning of Route No. 17 as far as Zemakh. There
you should take the right turn towards Bet Shean.
The first kibbutz you pass is Sha'ar Hagolan, which has a
fine prehistory museum, then Afiqim, with its furniture factory, and, as you
bear right, Ashdot Ya'aqov, one of the largest kibbutzim (which has been
divided into two for political reasons)
If you turn off to the right to Menahemya, you can visit
Israel's only Medical Museum, Bet Harofeh, which has exhibits and an
audiovisual presentation on the history of medicine. One wing of the museum is
devoted to the history of Menahemya, the first modern Jewish settlement in the
Bet Shean Valley. Open: Sun.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Entrance fee. Tel.
(06)751554.
Lying in the Jordan Valley, these settlements are like
closed ovens in the long summer months. In the early days, before
air-conditioning became a familiar sight on these kibbutzim, primitive cooling
systems, with water dripping down grass-covered window-screens, brought some
relief.
Round the corner and cross the bridge over the Jordan. You
are now in the Bet Shean Valley, bounded on your left by the Gilead Mountains
in Jordan, whose beauty inspired the poet to write in the Song of Songs (6:5),
``Your hair is like a flock of goats moving down the slopes of Gilead.''
All is quiet, with the snaking Jordan River forming the
border between Jordan and Israel. However, the scene was far from tranquil for
the two years succeeding the 1967 war. This was the only border that rumbled
with artillery, mortars and tanks. Border patrols were fired on by
bazooka-carrying groups hiding in the thick reeds guarding the river. In
winter, infiltrators drifted across the swollen river on tractor tubes,
bringing with them their store of weapons and explosives.
Today the area is as silent as the waters of the Jordan. But
if you stop at any of the kibbutzim or moshavim - Gesher, Hamadiya, Ma'oz Haim,
Kfar Rupin - ask to see the concrete-lined subterranean shelters. They were
``home'' for many people during many a long night.
If you look beyond the fields you will see the slashed,
defaced earth of part of the Afro-Syrian Rift that ends in Africa. Turn right
when the signpost directs you to Kokhav Hayarden, and continue up the tarred
mountain road (No. 717) for 6 km. until you reach the parking area.
KOKHAV HAYARDEN
BET SHEAN
MA'AYAN HAROD
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