The Golan Trail – “Inn to Inn” Trek

The Golan Trail is an Epic 125 Kilometers long hiking trail that crosses the Golan heights from mount Hermon in the north to Ein Taufik in the south. You can Backpack along the trail independently or tackle it with our friendly “Inn to Inn” service.

Learn More

Table of contents:

• Inn to Inn Trekking with Logistic support and Luggage transfer
• Testimonials
• Backpacking the Golan Trail
• The 15 segments of the Golan Trail
• FAQ’s

Inn to Inn Trekking with Logistic support and Luggage transfer

Trek Metrics
Distance	132 Km
Number of Days	8
Short Version	5 Days / 60 Km (Days 3-7)
Level	Moderate
Best	Mar - Apr
Possible	Oct - May
Price From:	000 USD / Person Based on: 4 Days version. Group Size of 4. Two hikers in a room. Trek is on Weekdays. Price List
LowCost:	Optional LowCost version for Single hikers in shared dormitories. (From 000 USD for one hiker)
Price Includes:	Accommodation (4 or 7 Nights) Breakfast (Except if otherwise specified). Daily luggage transfer from one accommodation to the next. Car Shuttles during the Trek. Hiking Maps. GPS Mobile App Hiking Maps. Trek Guidebook. 24/7 Phone support Detailed Briefing meeting. Free consultaion on all your other activites during your stay in Israel. (Transportation to/From the Start/End point is not Included)
/ Start Point
/ End Point

Trek Metrics
Length: 132 Km / 8 Days
Short Version: 60 Km / 5 Days Days 3 to 7
Level: Moderate
Best: Mar - Apr
Possible: Oct - May
Price From: 000 USD / Person. (Based on: 4 Days / Group Size of 4 / Two hikers sharing a room / Trek on Weekdays) Optional LowCost version For Single hikers in shared Dormitories. Price From: 000 USD for one person. Price Calculator
Price Includes: Accommodation Breakfast (Except if otherwise specified). Daily luggage transfer from one accommodation to the next. Car Shuttles during the Trek. 24/7 Customer service. Hiking Maps Trek Guidebook GPS Mobile App Detailed Briefing meeting at your accommodation on the 1st day. (Transportation to/From the Start/End point is not Included)
/ Start Point:
/ End Point:

Testimonials on Google from Real Hikers of the Golan Trail

Raphaela (DE)

Amazing hike without struggling to organize everything alone

To travel the Golan Heights is not easy due to the lack of a real infrastructure for hikers and doing the organization by its own is very difficult. Therefore, I'm glad that I found support in Israel by Foot to do an amazing hike without struggling to organize everything alone.

Read Full Review

Felix (USA)

Trip of The Golan Trail, couldn’t have been been better

Erez provided us with detailed instructions, maps, and advice, and was available along the way with excellent communication...... we had so much fun hiking the Golan Trail. We highly recommend Israel by Foot!

Read Full Review

Mike (USA)

Erez was really supportive and helped make dynamic adjustments as necessary

A few benefits of the “inn to inn” method is that I only had to carry a day pack, my main luggage was transported for me from room to room, Erez provided some guide books, GPS maps that work with several phone apps, and coordinated taxis when necessary.

Read Full Review

Check out all our reviews on  Google, A total of 40+ reviews with an Average Score of 4.9/5

Day 1 –  Arrival at Majdal Shams

• We will meet in the afternoon/evening for a detailed briefing meeting to discuss all aspects of the trek and ensure that the GPS app function properly.
• Majdal Shams can be reached with public transportation from the town of Kiryat Shemona. Kiryat Shemona is served by direct buses from Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem.
• Preferred Lodging: Narkis Hotel
• The next morning a taxi will take you to the trailhead on mount Hermon.
• Low-cost version: 
  Preferred Lodging: Golan Heights Hostel (Mixed dorms).
  You will need to take a bus to Majdal Shams and continue to the trailhead by taxi or hitchhike.

Day 2 – From Mount Hermon to Moshav Odem

Overview:

• Distance: 20 Km.
• Ascent: 400 m
• Decent: 900 m
• Starting Point: Heromn Parking lot, alt 1400 m. (A taxi will take you to the trailhead).
• Shorter options: Start at Majdal Shams – 14 Km.
• End Point: Moshav Odem, 1100 m.
• Overnight: Odem.
• Preferred Lodging:
• Regular Version: Golan Heights Hostel (Private Rooms)
• LowCost Version: Golan Heights Hostel (Shared Dorms)

Hike Description:

• A 20 minutes taxi ride will take you to the starting point on Mount Hermon’s slopes (1400 m ASL).
• It’s a day with an easy long-distance walk. Most of the walk is downhill on minor dirt/paved roads.
• You will pass through two Druze villages. The Druze are a religious minority in Israel of only 100,000 people. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience their culture, heritage, and great food.
• You can plan to have breakfast at Majdal Shams (6 Km into the hike) and lunch at Masada (14 Km into the hike).
• After passing through the street of Majdal Shams, you descend along minor roads to the hills surrounding lake Ram.
• Passing Masade, you will start ascending to the summit of Mount Odem.
• Enjoy the fantastic view from the summit, then leave the Golan trail and make a half-kilometer detour to the nearby Moshav Odem and arrive at the accommodation on foot.

Day 3 – From Odem to Kibbutz Merom Golan

(The 5 days version Starts here)

Overview:

• Distance: 17 Km.
• Ascent: 300 m
• Decent: 400 m
• Shorter option: Start at El Rom – 12 Km. (Could involve additional cost)
• Starting Point: Odem, 1100 m.
• End Point: Kibbutz Merom Golan, 980 m.
• Overnight: Merom Golan.
• Preferred Lodging:
• Regular Version:  Merom Golan Resort Village.
• Lowcost Version: A Rustic Wooden Cabin.

Hike Description:

• The hike starts directly from the accommodation.
• Following several warm-up kilometers, you enter the Odem forest, with its mix of Gall Oak and common Oak trees.
• After circling a dormant volcano, and descent into the Valley of Tears, it got its name following a major battle in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. A good spot for a break and a short read about this period in Israeli History.
• A few more flat kilometers will bring you to Kibbutz Merom Golan and your next accommodation.
• After settling in, you can take a short hike to the summit of the nearby Mount Bental for one of the best viewpoints in the Golan Heights and enjoy a drink in the small cafe’/restaurant.

Day 4 – Kibbutz Merom Golan to Aloney Habashan

Overview:

• Distance: 22 Km.
• Ascent: 600 m
• Decent: 600 m
• Shorter option: 12 KM – Start at Ein Zivan  (Could involve additional cost).
• Starting Point: Merom Golan, 980 m.
• End Point: Aloney Habshan 970 m.
• Overnight: Religious Moshav Aloney Habashan.
• Preferred Lodging: Aloney Habashan Guest village.
  (Both regular and LowCost versions)

Hike Description:

• The hike starts directly from the accommodation.
• It’s an epic 22 Km day with a series of fantastic vistas in all directions.
• If 22 Km is too much for you, you can start at the mid-point in Kibbutz Ein-Zivan and hike 12 Km.
• The excitement starts in the morning as you encircle at about mid-height the summits of two dormant volcanoes; Mount Bental and Mount Avital. You get great views of Mount Hermon and the Syrian Golan Heights.
• The mid-point of the hike crosses the main road near Kibbutz Ein-Zivan.  It’s a good lunch break spot with a chocolate factory (also a café), a nice bakery, and a boutique winery.
• The trail goes east and ascends to the next viewpoint, on the summit of Mount Bney Resesen.
• After going down from Mount Bney Rsesen, you climb to the Bashanit ridge and down again into Moshav Aloney Habashan to reach the accommodation on foot.

Day 5 – Aloney Habashan to Keshet

Overview:

• Distance: 15 Km.
• Ascent: 80 m
• Decent: 150 m
• Starting Point: Aloney Habashan, 970 m.
• End Point: Religious Moshav Keshet, 700 m.
• Overnight: Moshav Keshet

• Preferred Lodging:
  Regular version:  Keshet-Yonatan Lodge
  Lowcost version: Modest B&B.

Hike Description:

• A relaxing day relative to the first 3 days.
• At the mid-point, you reach Hushnia. Here you find on the top of a hill remains of a guest house from the 8th century and at the hill’s foot the Ruins from a Cherkess village. (The Cherkess are an ethnic group from the North Caucasus that the ottomans relocated around 1800 to Syria.) A good spot for a mid-day break.
• Just before you reach Keshet, you encounter a stream and a few springs. A great picnic spot to round up the day.
• From the spring walk about 2 Km and reach the accommodation on foot.

Day 6 -Keshet to Daliyot Junction

Overview:

• Distance: 16 Km.
• Ascent: 80 m
• Decent: 300 m
• Starting Point: Keshet, 700 m. (LowCost version hikers will need to take the public bus from Katzrin to Keshet).
• End Point: Daliyot Junction, 450 m. A taxi will bring you back to the accommodation. (LowCost version hikers will need to take the public bus).
• Overnight: Same as Day 4.

Hike Description:

• It is a relatively relaxing day, mainly on flat and easy dirt roads, however full of natural beauty and historical sites.
• The walk is in a flat area characterized by a series of tranquil, shallow natural water channels forming plenty of inviting picnic spots.
• At about mid-day, you reach the intriguing site of “Rugum El Hiri”. It is a mysterious archeological site, dating to the Bronze age (3000–2700 BCE), made up of 40,000 basalt rocks (Some call it the “Israeli Stoneghedge”).
• The day ends a few Km later at the Daliyot campground, where a Taxi will meet you and take you to the accommodation in Keshet.
• Towards the end of the trail, you pass neat the Gamla natural reserve, where you can see Israel’s highest waterfall (51 m) and visit the 2nd temple town ruins of Gamla. We highly recommend this visit and can arrange the end-of-day transfer from the site. (With no extra charge).
• LowCost version hikers will need to take the public bus back to Katzrin.

Day 7 -Daliyot Junction to Bnei Yehuda

Overview:

• Distance: 24 Km.
• Ascent: 400 m
• Decent: 600 m
• Shorter option: Start at Ein Keshatot– 14 Km (Extra transfer with additional cost).
• Starting Point: Daliyot Junction, 450 m.
  A taxi will bring you to the trailhead. (LowCost version hikers will need to take the public bus).
• End Point: Moshav Bnei Yehuda, 350 m.
• Overnight: Moshav Bnei Yehuda.
• Preferred Lodging:
  Regular version: Rina Barama.
  LowCost version: Shared Dorms in Genghis Khan Mongolian tents village.

Hike Description:

• A demanding 24 Km day. If this is too much for you, start at Ein-Keshatot and hike 14 Km. (Extra transfer with additional cost).
• A short taxi ride will take you from the accommodation to the Daliyot campground (Where the hike ended the previous day).
• After an easy start, you reach An old arched bridge built from Basalt stones across the Semech stream. A delightful picnic spot in the shade by the brook.
• Several kilometers later, you arrive at the magnificent remains of Ein Keshatot’s ancient synagogue. Don’t miss a visit to this unique archeological site!
• After the visit, the trail descends to the meeting point of the Semech and Elal streams. Another delightful picnic spot.
• From the streams, you climb to Mohsav Bney Yehuda and arrive at the accommodation on foot.

Day 8 -Bnei Yehuda to Ein Taufik

Overview:

• Distance: 21 Km.
• Ascent: 500 m
• Decent: 600 m
• Shorter option: Finish at Mevo Hama – 15 Km.
• Starting Point: Moshav Bnei Yehuda, 350 m.
• End Point: Ein Taufik 200 m. (End of the Golan trail)
• A taxi will pick you up at the end of the trail and take you back to Bnei Yehuda to pick up your luggage. (In the LowCost version, you will need to hitchhike back or walk 4 Km to the bus stop)

Hike Description:

• The hike starts directly from the accommodation.
• The first section of the hike visits Wadi Meitzar. This beautiful wadi is also the only one on the Golan with a West-East direction, feeding the Yarmuch River.
• After the ascent from the Wadi, you reach the edge of the cliffs of the southern Golan height, 650 meters above the Sea of Galilee.
• The last section of the Golan trail follows along the cliff with uninterrupted views of the Sea of Galilee’s sparkling below.
• The journey ends at the small spring and picnic area of Ein Taufik.
• A taxi will take you back to Bnei Yehuda. (lowcost version hikers will need to hitchhike or walk 4 Km to the bus stop.
• Bnei Yehuda has bus service to Katrzin, Tiberias and Tel-Aviv.

Backpacking Independently the Golan trail.

Those hiking one segment a day will enjoy an easy to moderate hike (except, possibly, the first segment in Mt. Hermon, which is the most difficult one). Experienced hikers can walk two segments every day. We do not recommend hiking more than two segments a day.

Backpacking the entire route or several sections “in one go” with their “house” on their backs will find that the Golan trail is quite a challenge and a beautiful epic track. The Sketch map shows you a “Tent” Icon of the recommended camping areas along the route and with a “Shopping Cart” Icon the grocery shops/Supermarkets along the route.

Golan Trail Hiking Maps

Golan Trail Hiking Maps – eBook Sample

It is possible to walk in both directions: from Mt. Hermon south or Ein Taufik north. In the north, at the highest point, the trail starts at 1,480 m above sea level. In the south, in Ein Taufik, the height is 200 m. Above sea level. The lowest point is at the meeting point of the Semech and El Al streams – which is exactly at sea level. Of course, the walk south from Mt. Hermon is easier, but the big difference is felt only in the climb from the road in Majdal Shams to Mt. Hermon. The height gain there is 400 m within 3 km.

Waymarks and Trail blazes

The route is waymarked in three colors: White – Mt. Hermon; Blue – Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) and Green – the Golan Heights. The white band will always be on the right, going either south or north. If you think you’ve lost your way, go back to the last waymark you saw and try to locate the next waymark. At each segment start, there is a Poster with the segment overview, including a map and an elevation chart. Post signs are placed at main junctions.

Logistics (When hiking single sections)

The straight, not circular, form of the trail necessitates the use of two vehicles. The beginning and end of each segment are easily accessible with a car. At the start of each hike, go by car to the end of the segment, Leave one car there and return with another vehicle to the beginning of the segment. Most of the trail passes in remote places where traffic is very sparse, so patience is needed to hitchhike your way back. Lucky people with friends living in the Golan will find that they are usually willing to assist and help you get to or from the Trail…

Water and food

The Golan is rich with water sources, but one should NOT drink spring or reservoir water without treating it. It is imperative to equip oneself with enough water based on the length of the walk and the weather conditions. Swimming in springs and reservoirs is forbidden, but you can refresh yourself with the waters. Places, where you can stock up on water and food, are marked in the sketch maps with a “Shopping cart” Icon.

Free Downloads:

Overview Golan Trail Map: (English/Hebrew)
15 Segment Maps (Hebrew Only)
GPS file

Safety:

All our safety guidelines also apply to the Golan Trail.  Some old Mine Fields exist in the Golan. Although they are fenced and clearly marked as an additional safety precaution, It is mandatory to always stay on the marked trail!

Credits:

This page was prepared with the kind help of Israel Eshed (The creator of the Golan Trail!!) and the Golan Regional Council.

Map of the Golan Trail (Click to download in full quality)

The 15 Segments of the Golan Trail

information provided on each segment:

• Distance.
• Level of difficulty.
• How to get to the trailhead. Verbal instructions and GPS coordinates Linked to Google-Maps.
• The starting point of the next section is always the ending point of the previous.
• Touring map of the section (In Hebrew).
• Brief description of the landscape.
• Main Landmarks.

Segment 1 – From Mt. Hermon to Nimrod

A very steep climb (Mount Hermon), challenging to negotiate, and also going in the other direction down the slope. Spectacular views of the Golan Heights, the Galilee, and the Hula Valley.

Distance: 7 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – hard; south to north – strenuous.
How to get there: Mt. Hermon ticket offices: take route no. 98 from Majdal Shams (??’?? ???) to Mt. Hermon (?? ?????), turn right immediately after the ticket offices, and cross the parking lot. You will find the first waymark next to the large oak tree.
GPS: 33.288929ºN 35.762840ºE.

Main Landmarks

Mount Hermon: The Golan Trail begins at the parking lot of Mount Hermon ski resort. The Hermon is a narrow mountain ridge that forms the Lebanon-Syria boundary along its spine. The ridge is about 70km long, but only 10% of its southern area is inside the land of Israel. The highest peak is 2814 m, and it is in Syria. The highest point in Israel is 2224 meters, but it is part of a military outpost and closed to the public. What we are left with to visit is a 2020 m summit. READ MORE…

Mount Kataa: The tiny settlement Nimrod is located on Mount Kata.  Its name means sand (“Kataa” in Arabic = sand), and indeed it sits on an extremely ancient layer of sandstone, which was exposed to the massive erosion of the Hermon peak, during which its height decreased by about 1200 meters. This sandstone can be found, except here, only in the Negev craters, where a similar process took place – and here too the sand is colored!

Segment 2 – From Nimrod  to Tel Katza

Walking from a tiny picturesque settlement to a Druze village and a small lake (Ram pool) in the crater of an extinct volcanic mountain.

Distance: 7 km
Level of difficulty: North to the south – Easy; south to north – easy.
How to get there: How to get there: Entrance to Nimrod (?????): from the central square in the Druze village of Masade (?????) take route no. 98  north for a short while and then turn west on the bridge crossing the Sa’ar stream (??? ???). The road curves to the left and reaches the road leading to Nimrod (?????). Park the car by the entrance gate to the village.
GPS: 33º14.706’N 035º45.117’E

Main Landmarks

Masada: Mas’ade is a Druze village in northern Golan Heights. It covers an area of 11,985 dunams (11.985 km2; 4.627 sq mi), and in 2018 had a population of 3,650. It was given the status of a local council in 1982. Its inhabitants are mostly Syrian citizens and have permanent residency in Israel. Since the adoption of the 1981 Golan Heights Law, Mas’ade is under Israeli civil law and incorporated into the Israeli system of local councils. (Wikipedia)

Lake Ram: The lake is located inside a natural crater and is fed by several springs emanating from its bottom, as well as from rainwater collected from the surrounding slopes. Researchers are still debating how exactly this large, beautiful 2.5-mile-long pond was created, but its formation is clearly due to the volcanic properties of the Golan Heights. The maximum depth of the pool is 10 meters, and its waters are used to irrigate the many plantations around it

Segment 3 – From Tel Katza to the Bukata Forest

The fairytale Odem forest, Tel Odem, and a fascinating scoria quarry.

Distance: 10 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – easy; south to north – easy.
How to get there: Tel Katza (?? ????): Drive south from the Masade (?????) village (route 98) and by the 85 km mark turn west onto a dirt road. Park the car by the waymark of the Golan Trail and start hiking.
GPS: 33º12.946’N 035º45.711’E

Main Landmarks

Odem Forest: It is basically a large area with a highly developed Mediterranean grove,  dominated mainly by Oak trees. Until about 120 years ago, the forest was covered most of the northern Golan Heights, but the trees were mostly cut-down by local residents when living standards rose and the need for wood as raw material was rising. The existing forest is a remnant of that great grove that used to be here, thanks to the Syrian army that used the area for camouflage and training.

Mount Odem: Mount Odem is a dormant volcano in the Golan Heights. The mountain is in the area of the Odem Forest Reserve, located between Massada (Druze Village) in the north and Kibbutz El Rom in the south. The mountain is named after the color of the soil (Odem in Hebrew means Reddish). Mount Odem is part of the Israeli line of mounds. The mountain consists of reddish-purple scoria. There are two mounds to the mountain: one – west and the other – north. At the summit of the mountain, there is an unmanned IDF station for emergencies. On the eastern side, agricultural terraces, which include vineyards.

Segment 4 – From the Bukata Forest to Ba’ab el Hawwa

Combat history in the Valley of Tears and the Golan settlers 5,000 years ago in the Ba’ab el Hawwa.

Distance: 10 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – easy; south to north – easy.
How to get there: Bukata Forest (??? ??????): From the gasoline station at the south of the village of Bukata (??????) drive for about 200 meters and turn east onto the main road (the Golan Trail passes through here). Continue another 1,200 m. And at the fork, take the road going south. After about 500 m. You will reach the forest. Along the road, there are mountains of garbage, but further on, the area is clean and pleasant.
GPS: 33º11.210’N 035º47.408’E

Main Landmarks

Valley of Tears (Oz 77 Memorial): The Valley of Tears (Hebrew: עמק הבכא, Emek HaBakha) is the name given to an area in the Golan Heights after it became the site of a major battle in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, known as the Valley (or Vale) of Tears Battle, which was fought between the 6th and 9th of October. Although massively outnumbered, the Israeli forces managed to hold their positions and on the fourth day of the battle, the Syrians withdrew, just as the Israeli defenses were almost at the point of collapse. Further reading: Wikipedia / War History Online

Segment 5 – From Ba’ab el Hawwa  to the Ein Zivan campsite

Water reservoir, climbing the Bental volcano mountain, and a 360° panoramic view.

Distance: 10 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – moderate; south to north – moderate.
How to get there: Ba’ab el Hawwa (??? ?? ????): From the Brown intersection (route 98 and route 959) drive west a bit over 1 km. The entrance to the archeological site of Ba’ab el Hawwa is through a cattle gate north of the road. On the south side of the road, you can see the Merom Golan water reservoir.
GPS: 33.146233ºN 35.780108ºE

Mount Bental: Altitude: 1165 m. Bental is an extinct volcano. This is one of the best viewpoints on the Golan Trail. It is actually a part of the volcano rim together with the Avital mountain south of it, together they form the crater which has a horseshoe shape with a southern opening that was caused by the lava flow. From the summit, there is an amazing 360° panorama of the plains of the Golan in both Israel and Syria and to mount Hermon. READ MORE…

Segment 6 – From the Ein Zivan  campsite to Mt. Hozek

Hiking from a memorial site to the wind turbines and a beautiful Mediterranean forest on the Bashanit Ridge.

Distance: 9 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – easy; south to north – easy.
How to get there: Ein Zivan (??? ?????) campsite: In front of the entrance to the kibbutz on route 91 near the intersection with road 98. “Hozek” (????) army base intersection: Drive north from the entrance to Alonei Ha’bashan (????? ????) approximately 1,800 m. Turn east onto a road with the Golan Trail waymark and drive until you reach the turn into the army base.
GPS: 33.094518ºN 35.797411ºE

Wind Turbines: The Wind turbine farm on Mount Benny Ressan was established in 1992 in collaboration with the “regional water corporation, the Ministry of Energy and Meteorological Service, to generate wind power. It is the first wind turbine farm established in the country, and its wind-blown location is carefully selected to achieve maximum electricity generation. The farm produces 12 million kWh of electricity a year – a quantity sufficient for all Golan Heights residents.

Segment 7 – From Mt. Hozek to Hushnia

From a wooded to a bare ridge and a 1,500 years old small village on a pretty hill overlooking a small water reservoir.

Distance: 10 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – easy; south to north – easy.
How to get there: “Hozek” (????) army base intersection: Drive north from the entrance to Alonei Ha’bashan (????? ????) approximately 1,800 m. Turn east onto a road with the Golan Trail waymark and drive until you reach the turn into the army base.
GPS: 33.051972ºN 35.849359ºE

Mount Hozek: Mount Hozek (Alt 1158 m) is the summit of the Bashanot ridge. This is the easternmost point on the Golan trail and in fact, the easternmost marked trail in Israel. During October two rare wildflowers are blossoming here. The Helmonit and Sitvanit. These two flowers are considered “Rainfall announcers”, since their blossoming is usually occurring just before the first rains of the season.

Segment 8 – From Hushnia to Um el Dananir

Here the cattle fields begin the pastures, the springs, and space as far as the eye can see.

Distance: 9 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – easy; south to north – easy.
How to get there: Hushnia forest (????? ??????): Drive east on route 87, pass the entrance to the village of Keshet (???? ???), continue another 500 m. until you reach a mosque. Turn off the road (carefully, the road drops) and continue for about 200 m. on a dirt road.
GPS: 32.998313ºN 35.810509ºE

Main Landmarks

Hushnia: Ruins from a Cherkess village that was deserted by its 2000 residents during the six days war in 1967. The Cherkess were people of the North Caucasus, that the ottomans relocated around 1800 to Syria. Near the ruins, there is a tel with remains of a guest house from the 8th century. Some scholars believe that it was a Jewish village during the Talmud period.

Peham Springs: A group of small springs. Habitat for rare fish and small mammals. A nice resting area with shade by the water.

Segment 9 – From Umm el Dananir to the Daliot campsite

Here the streams are formed. Creeks (“masils”), cattle, horses, and 5,000 years old mysterious remains of Rugum El Hiri.

Distance: 9 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – easy; south to north – easy.
How to get there: Umm el Dananir (??? ?? ?????): Drive east from the Falls Junction (???? ??????) (routes 808 and 87 north of the village of Aniam (???? ?????)) about 3.5 km until you reach the intersection with the T.A.P line road Continue 4.2 km on the “Petroleum Road” until you reach a junction with a road leading west to the village of Yonatan (???? ?????). Drive 2.2 km on this road until the turn to Yonatan (don’t turn) 250 m. later turn east and drive another 900 m. Along vineyards. Umm el Dananir (??? ?? ?????) is approx. 300 m. north of the road.
GPS: 32.941323ºN 35.817864ºE

Rujm El Hiri: The name Rujm el-Hiri, “stone heap of the wild cat”, was originally taken from Syrian maps. The term rujm in Arabic can also refer to a tumulus, a heap of stones underneath which human burial space was located. A modern Hebrew name used for the site is Gilgal Ref?’?m, “Wheel of Spirits” or “Wheel of Ghosts”.
The site’s size and location, on a wide plateau which is also scattered with hundreds of dolmens, means that an aerial perspective is necessary to see the complete layout. The site was made from Basalt rocks, common in the Golan Heights due to the region’s history of volcanic activity. It is made from 37,500 – 40,000 tons of partly worked stone stacked up to 2 meters (6.6 ft) high. The site is often referred to as the “Stonehenge of the Levant.” Further reading in Wikipedia

Segment 10 – From the Daliot campsite to Umm el Qanatir

Here the cattle fields begin the pastures, the springs, and space as far as the eye can see.

Distance: 11 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – easy; south to north – moderate.
How to get there: Daliot (?????) campsite: from the Daliot (?????) junction (routes 808 and 869) take road 869. Continue on it for approximately 700 m. The campground is located north of the road.
GPS: 32.894696ºN 35.770103ºE

Old Syrian Bridge: An arched bridge built from black Basalt stones on the Semech stream. A delightful picnic spot to sit in the shade under the bridge by the brook. However, the bridge has also an interesting historic story. The bridge you see is a remnant of the Syrian plan to alter the flow of the stream that feeds the Jordan River. In 1964, the Syrians, who ruled the Golan Heights, attempted to divert the water flowing into the Jordan River, thus preventing them from entering Israel and drying up the Sea of Galilee. The channel was supposed to pass across this bridge. Thanks to precise intelligence provided by the famous spy, Eli Cohen, Israel bombed and destroyed the mechanical equipment that carried out the construction of the canals. The Syrians responded with shelling on the Hula Valley settlements. The story ended with the Six-Day War and the annexation of the Golan into the territory of the State of Israel.

Segment 11 – From Umm el Qanatir  to the Te’ena Stream

A real stream, a magnificent synagogue from the period of the Mishna (3rd to 4th century AD), and the large “Syrian wound”.

Distance: 11 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – hard; south to north – hard.
How to get there: Umm el Qanatir (??? ?? ??????): On route 808 north of Hispin (?????) turn west towards Natur (????). After 3.2 km turn south onto a good dirt road; after 500 m. turn west and continue for another 2 km until you reach a parking area. From here, continue down a footpath through the intriguing archeological site.
GPS: 32.848733ºN 35.740312ºE

Um El Kantir (Ein Keshatot): An ancient synagogue from the Mishnah and Talmud period, is one of the most impressive and important of this period found in the Land of Israel and one of the highlights along the Golan Trail. In this synagogue, an innovative method of reconstruction was first ever tried. The stones scattered around the site were marked and numbered.  Each stone was scanned with laser technology and its 3D model stored in a database. Later, a computer program virtually reconstructed the building and shows where each stone was originally placed in the structure prior to its collapse. accordingly, the stones were returned to their original location. The result is stunning! READ MORE…

Segment 12 – From the Te’ena Stream to Giva’at Yoav Forest

Views of Lake Kinneret and Old Bnei Yehuda, the first settlement of the Golan Heights from the Ottoman era.

Distance: 7 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – moderate; south to north – easy.
How to get there: Te’ena stream (??? ????) on route 789: Drive east a bit more than 7 km from the Cursi Junction (???? ?????) up road 789; you’ll see a dirt road turning off the road to the west. Here you can safely leave the car and walk down the (dirt?) road approximately 200 m. to the beginning/end of the segment.
GPS: 32.800625ºN 35.674584ºE

Old Bnei Yehuda: An interesting historical story along the Golan Trail. It was a Jewish community that was located within the boundaries of the Bedouin village of Bir al-Shakum in 1886-1920. The community was established by the Bnei Yehuda Association – a group of people from Safed who decided to establish an independent agricultural settlement. They purchased land from the village and settled right next to the Bedouin houses. But the settlers soon encountered many difficulties – rocky and hardy soil, epidemics and diseases, distance from other Jewish communities, lack of infrastructure and harassment from the residents of the area. The settlement was abandoned and resettled three times, with only one family remaining at all times – the Bernstein family. They were the last Jewish family living in the Golab Heighes (Until 1967). In 1920, the Bernstein family was murdered by local Arabs.

Segment 13 – From Giva’at Yoav Forest to the Golan Amphitheater

Through the Golan villages and the Ein Gev Stream (??? ??? ??) to the watershed line.

Distance: 5 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – moderate; south to north – moderate.
How to get there: Giva’at Yoav (???? ????): From the western gate of Giva’at Yoav village (???? ???? ????) drive 500 m. until you reach a pine forest and the dirt road turns south to where it meets the Golan Trail.
GPS: 32.813133ºN 35.685107ºE

Segment 14 – From the Golan Amphitheater to Mevo Hama

Huge Tavor Oaks and  Rock Hyraxes along Wadi Meitzar and a glance towards our neighbors to the east.

Distance: 7 km.
Level of difficulty: North to south – moderate; south to north – easy.
Getting there: The Amphitheater is located on route 98 south of Kibbutz Afik (????? ????), near the road junction with Susita (??????) (between the 21-22 km mark).
GPS: 32.769026, 35.692635

Wadi Meitzar: Nahal Meitzar is the largest of the riverbeds that run from the southern Golan Heights to the Yarmuk Valley. Growing on its slopes is a wonderful park forest with a combination of Mediterranean and desert plants. In winter, the slopes are covered with green and in spring they are carpeted with beautiful flowers. Further Reading

Segment 15 – From Mevo Hama to Ein Taufik

On a cliff 500 m above lake Kinneret, paragliders fly, and a lovely spring at the end of the Trail.

Distance: 5 km
Level of difficulty: North to south – moderate; south to north – moderate.
How to get there: Kibbutz Mevo Hama (????? ???? ???): on route 98 in the south part of the Golan Heights.
GPS: 32.733769ºN 35.655187ºE

The endpoint of the Golan Trail: Ein Taufik (??? ??????) Junction on route 98: on the road leading up from Hamat Gader (??? ???) to Kibbutz Mevo Hama (????? ???? ???).
GPS: 32.699164ºN 35.647872ºE

The main highlight of this section is great views from the cliff to the Sea of Galilee 400 meters below.

Golan Trail FAQ’s