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The Golan Heights

Golan Heights travel guide

The Golan is one of the least visited and known regions of Israel. This Web Guide seeks to help you discover the secrets of this beautiful and serene landscape, whose hills and cliff faces are replete with natural and historical sites.

For the nature lover the Golan has much to offer. Here, in this untamed land, flora and fauna from different habitats come together in a unique and natural setting.

Here you’ll find wolves and gazelles, squirrels and coneys and much, much more.

For the history buff, the Golan is a region of endless fascination ‘ Prehistoric sites and megalithic edifices, whose purpose remains a mystery, are dotted through the hills and valleys; Hellenistic towns, Roman fortresses and Crusader castles stand guard over the roads and ancient highways of the Golan.

For the pilgrim the Golan is the place where Jesus sought his last moments of peace before embarking on his final journey to Jerusalem. Three of the disciples were born on the Golan, the miracle of the Gadarene Swine took place here as did the healing of the blind man, the second miracle of the loaves and the fishes and the transfiguration. It was here, too, that Jesus bestowed on Peter the stewardship of the kingdom of God.

Over the past few years a range of attractive accommodations have opened on the Golan, from rustic bed and breakfast facilities to exclusive guesthouses and hotels. Hiking trails, parks, picnic sites and cycle paths await the visitor, affording a range of exciting touring possibilities

We very much hope that this guide will help you plan and enjoy your trip to the Golan and look forward to hosting you here.

https://www.inisrael.com/golan/index.html

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Flora and Fauna

The Golan, synonymous in the Bible (along with the Bashan) with a heavily wooded area, was still covered with dense woods and forests in the recent past. Unfortunately, those forests have been cleared for agriculture and grazing over the last few generations, but in the northern part of the Golan and in copses and thickets in the south, the endemic trees of the region can still be seen. The oak and terebinth forests of the Golan give rise to an impressive landscape, the numerous deciduous trees lending the terrain a European feel in the winter. In the late winter and spring, the ground between the trees is covered with blossoms from the rarest of orchids to anemones, tulips, and a patchwork of other wildflowers, some of Them unique to the Golan. On the upper slopes of the Hermon range, alpine meadows and vegetation can be found. There the flowers bloom in early summer, in contrast to the winter florescence in the rest of Israel, making the Hermon a unique destination for nature lovers. The wildlife of the Golan is the most varied in Israel. The human population on the Golan is sparse, the region has relatively large open areas, and significant segments of it have been declared nature reserves. The Golan is a meeting place for fauna that migrates north along the Syrian-African rift from Africa and the desert areas, fauna that makes its way westwards across the steppes of Asia, and European fauna that arrives from the north. Fifteen species of fish swim in the rivers and ponds of the Golan, while seven species of amphibians and thirty-five different kinds of reptiles (only one of them poisonous!) populate their banks. Millions of birds fly over the Golan during their biannual migration from Europe to Africa and back: one hundred vulture couples nest in the Gamla Nature Reserve, together with eagles and other raptors. The Golan is home to thousands of gazelles, rock rabbits, hyenas, wild boars, foxes, and even a rare subspecies of wolf unique to the Golan. They cohabit with badgers, jackals, wildcats, and an extremely uncommon leopard or two. Seventy years ago Mount Hermon was still home to the Asian brown bear, but none have been sighted for three generations now. https://www.inisrael.com/golan/flora.htm

The Panda Resort & Spa is situated in Moshav Neve Ativ, at the foot of Mount Hermon

The Panda Resort & Spa is situated at the foot of Mount Hermon - Moshav Neve Ativ. Neve Ativ is a seat at the northernmost end of Israel and belongs to the Golan Regional Council. Neve Ativ was established in 1968 by the fighters of the Nut Patrol. About 150 residents live in the settlement and the nature of the community is secular. Over the years, it became a worker's seat of the Agricultural Union movement. The area is surrounded by green mountains and blooming fields, and the winding roads to the settlement infuse its residents with a pastoral and picturesque atmosphere. In Neve Ativ we celebrate the holidays together, memorial day gatherings, nature walks, lectures and shows for children. In Moshav you can find community services such as a pool and a synagogue. Imagining your vacation in a beautiful wooden cabin at the foot of Mount Hermon would be wonderful. With a refreshing cup of coffee or herbal infusion picked fresh from the garden, you wake up each morning to the sound of birds chirping in the trees, the wonderful silence, the mountain air and a view of breathtaking nature. Here in the heart of a quiet and pastoral nature reserve, it's a vacation unlike any other: the Neve Ativ Resort and Spa Hotel from the Panda Hotel chain. There are 40 dunams of forest and wild nature at the resort, a perfect mix of luxury and peace for guests who want a quiet and peaceful vacation in a perfect location in the country's north. After the re-establishment of the hotel, the hotel team, headed by the hotel's CEO, works to provide you with the hospitality experience and service down to the smallest details. In addition to outdoor parking, there is 24-hour reception service, daily room service, and an outdoor swimming pool complex which is exclusively available to hotel guests. Neve Ativ Resort and Spa Hotel from the Panda Hotel chain offers couples and families a variety of seasonal packages. Winter guests can enjoy a wonderful ski vacation, while summer visitors can enjoy wild spaces with nature corners, green carpets of grass, and mountain views that will make them feel like they are in Switzerland.

Nimrod Fortress: A Historic Castle with Stunning Views in the Golan Heights

Nimrod Fortress, also known as Nimrod Castle, is a castle built by the Ayyubids and expanded by the Mamluks to guard a major access route to Damascus against armies from the west. It is located on the southern slopes of Mount Hermon, overlooking the Golan Heights. The fortress was first built in the Hellenistic or Byzantine period and was rebuilt around 1228 by Al-Aziz Uthman. It was further expanded by Sultan Baibars and given to his second-in-command, Bilik. After the Muslim conquest of Acre, the fortress lost its strategic value and fell into disrepair. The Ottoman Turks later used it as a luxury prison for Ottoman nobles. The fortress is currently managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and is open to the public. Visitors can explore the excavated and restored portions of the fortress, including secret corridors, loopholes, and the remains of a keep surrounded by large rectangular towers. One day tour idea for the region could be visiting Nimrod Fortress and exploring the surrounding area. The tour could start with a visit to the fortress, where visitors can learn about its history and architecture and enjoy panoramic views of the Golan Heights. After exploring the fortress, the tour could continue to nearby Banias Nature Reserve, which offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and natural pools. Visitors can hike along the river, explore the ancient ruins of Banias, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the beautiful surroundings. The tour could also include a visit to the nearby Druze village of Majdal Shams, where visitors can learn about Druze culture and enjoy traditional Druze cuisine. Overall, this day tour offers a combination of history, nature, and culture, making it a great way to experience the region.

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