Hike on Mount Carmel, at the location where Elijah confronted the false Baal prophets. Enjoy the great views of the Jezreel valley below and visit the Carmelite Monastery of the Prophet Elijah.
Hike Metrics | |
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Distance | 7.5 Km |
Climb | 250 m |
Level | Easy - Moderate |
Best | Nov - April |
Possible | All Year |
Location | ![]() |
Start Point | ![]() |
Hike Description |
Elijah was one of the important Biblical prophets, who lived during the period of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah is an important figure to all the main religions (Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze) as a brave prophet that stood against the might of Kings and false prophets.
Our hike is centered around the famous event on Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of the Canaanite deity, the Baal.
The Story - Elijah and the Baal Prophets
During the reign of King Ahab, the land was filled with idolatry. Ahab was married to Jezebel, the daughter of Ithobaal, king of Sidon. Jezebel brought her faith in the Baal god and spread it throughout Israel. Elijah the prophet, rebelled against the people’s pursuit of idol worship. He asks the people of Israel to decide whether they are worshiping God or the Baal. Elijah proposes a test to determine who is the “real” God. The event took place on Mount Carmel. (The exact location is believed to be at the Muhraka). Two sacrifices were made on two altars, one for the Baal and one for God. Each group waits for its God to receive the sacrifice. The prophets of Baal wait in vain for the fire that refuses to come and burn their sacrifice. On the other hand, Elijah’s call to God is answered immediately. Fire descends from the sky, burns the sacrifice, and consumes it. The people saw the miracle, fall on their faces and call out, “The Lord is God, the Lord is God” (Kings 18: 39). Elijah the prophet pursues the prophets of Baal, and they escape to the Kishon River, Just below the Muhrka summit, where they are slaughtered to the last.
Bible mention - 1 Kings 18: 17-46
Listen to 1 Kings 18:17-46
Hike Description:
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- Our Hike starts at the parking of the Muhraka (1).
- Walk a few meters down the road and look for a trail with ‡Red‡ markers heading left into the forest.
- Follow this ‡Red‡ trail for 1 kilometer and enjoy the pleasant shade of the Mediterranean forest, until a junction with a dirt road (2).
- Turn right on the dirt road and continue to follow the ‡Red‡ markers. after about 700 meters you will reach the Karach Ruins.
Karach Ruins (Mount Carmel)
The remains of a Jewish settlement from the 2nd to the 6th centuries CE (Late Roman and Byzantine periods) in the Mount Carmel ridge, near the Muhraka. It was inhabited by Jews who were exiled by the Romans from Judea and Samaria. The settlement was based on agriculture and grazing. Many water cisterns were dug in the area in order to compensate for the shortage of water resources in mount Carmel. The site has a developed agricultural system (the use of terraces) as well as an olive press, burial caves, a winepress, and a local quarry. The site has never been formally excavated and not a lot can be seen. But the mix of the ruins with the Carmel scenery around is lovely.

- Leave the trail and climb a few meters to the top of the hill above the Ruins to get a beautiful view of the Carmel ridge.
- Continue for a bit on the ‡Red‡ marked trail until it junctions with a ‡Black‡ marked dirt road (3).
- Turn left with the ‡Red‡ marked trail and follow it for about 1200 meters along the wadi bed until a junction with a ‡Black‡ marked dirt road (4).
- At this point, the ‡Red‡ marked trail continues down the Wadi. Ignore it, and follow the ‡Black‡ marked dirt road.
- You are now on the “Derech Nof Carmel” (The Carmel view road). It is a 20 Kilometers long dirt road that passes east of the Carmel ridge with great view all along. It is passable also with passenger vehicles but is most popular with mountain bikers and 4WD.
- Follow it with the ‡Black‡ markers for about 4 kilometers and enjoy the view. At the beginning to the south and gradually changing to the east.
- When you reach a junction with a ‡Red‡ marked trail (5), turn left and make a short but steep climb to the Carmelite Monastery of Elijah at the Muhraka.

Carmelite Monastery of the prophet Elijah
The old monastery belongs to the Carmelite Order, whose members arrived to the Holy Land from Europe in the 17th century. The Carmelite monastery carries the name of its patron, the Prophet Elijah. The Order was established on the Carmel in the time of the Crusaders; it adopted the figure of the prophet Elijah who fought zealously against the heretics of his time. From the roof (access is via the shop), you can see the Mediterranean, Mt Hermon (when it’s clear), and everything in between. In front of the building, there is a peaceful little garden with a statue of Elijah and a small walking trail. Opening hours: 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00
- Climb the stairs from the left side of the souvenir shop to the observation deck on the roof of the building. The view from here is one of the most impressive on Mount Carmel. To the north, we can see the statue of Elijah, which is now at our eye level. To the east, the rocky terrain of Mount Carmel, and Beneath the Jezreel Valley. In the valley, across the main road adjacent to the slopes of the mountain, flows the Kishon stream and at the far end of the valley stands Mount Tabor. The high hills of Samaria. the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Hermon can also be seen on a clear day.
- It’s a perfect spot to relax and read/listen to the Biblical story detailed in the introductions of the hike.
- Exit the site and walk down the road to the Muhraka parking (starting point) .
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