Come North: Spectacular Trails Alongside Snowy Landscape | Israel today

The rain and cold of the past week have drawn us almost to the northern end of the country, to the interesting kibbutz of Kfar Giladi, and to the water walks and the beautiful green landscape that surrounds it.

The kibbutz, near Kiryat Shmona, combines well the Zionist ethos of settlement and security that we grew up on, along with leisure activities for children, winter pampering and atmosphere, as well as fun hiking trails a few minutes drive away.

Zionist tour

The kibbutz was established in October 1916 by members of the Hashomer Association, including Yosef Trumpeldor, Israel Giladi, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, Alexander Zeid and Yehezkel Hankin.

Like nearby Tel Hai, it was part of the settlement that began in the early 20th century in the Galilee, with the aim of settling in dangerous places on the country's borders.

It is named after Israel Giladi, who was one of the leaders of Hashomer and fell in 1918. In 1926, six years after the battle of Tel Hai, he united with Kibbutz Tel Hai, and six years later he also absorbed Kibbutz Tiberias.

In the 1930s and 1940s, they were hidden in Kibbutz HaMa'apilim, who immigrated to Israel via Syria and Lebanon, and during the struggle against the British Mandate, it served as a base for Palmach and field companies.

The Roaring Lion Monument // Photo: Eyal Margolin - Ginny,

All of this can be learned at the site of the first courtyard in the kibbutz, where the structure of the first barn, the House of the First, and the highlight are: the first slick of Kfar Giladi, excavated in 1921 under innocent-looking foal stables. Until the establishment of the state, more than 20 more slicks were excavated in the kibbutz. The tour of the complex begins with a film screening, which tells of the kibbutz's more than 100 years, and continues with explanations of the activities of the guard and the Palmach and the battles that took place in the area, along with a display of weapons and ammunition from that period.

Further on, there is another endearing attraction: the coop trail, named after the coops that resided on either side of it and the chick incubator that was on it.

Today, the renovated chicken coop buildings are inhabited by artists and gallery shops of local artists, and you will find here a small and friendly cafe, a ceramics gallery, a second-hand book and record store, and a glasses store of Kibbutz Roni Dori.

In the place where the chick hatchery was located, there is now the brewery "Audi", which also serves locally made sushi.

At the end of the street, the horse stables from 1924 became a therapeutic stable.

Not far from the coop trail, on foot or a short drive from the kibbutz, is the roaring lion statue of Avraham Melnikov.

The statue was erected in 1934 as a monument in memory of the eight killed in the battle of Tel Hai.

Wet trip

In addition to absorbing the values ​​of Zionism and fascinating history, the kibbutz also offers its guests pleasant and surprising winter accommodation in the Kfar Giladi Hotel - an old hotel immersed in a grove overlooking the landscape of Mount Hermon, the Golan Heights and the Hula Valley. The hotel has been recently refurbished and features 158 well-designed, spacious and well-equipped rooms; A heated pool that also operates in the evening; A restaurant serving Galilean food and pizzas from the oven; A small, high-quality spa with a small and romantic view terrace; Larger thin balcony with swings overlooking the same view; And a cozy lobby with a burning fireplace. Children are offered a variety of activities at the kids' club, including a challah preparation workshop on Friday evenings. Starting at NIS 890 per couple on a bed and breakfast basis, including a one-time entrance to the Hermon site.

Apart from Mount Hermon, the flowing northern streams and waterfalls await you, including the Oven waterfall in nearby Metula and the Saar waterfall on the way to Mount Hermon, and of course the Snir, Dan and Banias streams.

But there is also a lovely scenic walk very close to the kibbutz, which is also suitable for rainy days, driving: a few minutes drive from the kibbutz, you can enter on foot or by car to the Naftali Mountains Road, which is also part of the Israel Trail.

This is a paved road about 12 km long at the foot of Ramim Cliff, the highest cliff in the country, and within the magical Naftali Mountain Forest, a natural forest of pine and cypress trees, next to which the JNF also planted groves, medicinal brick, almond, common carob and pear Suri.

Nahal Snir (Archive), Photo: Eyal Margolin - Ginny

The entrance to Derech Hanof starts about 400 meters from Kibbutz Kfar Giladi, where you turn left towards Derech Hanof and Ein Roim.

The road ends near Kibbutz Yiftach, and you can also travel in the opposite direction.

KKL-JNF parking lots are scattered throughout it, and there are also some beautiful and even exciting corners, including Mitzpe Liran and Ein Ro'im Spring. From the well-kept observatory, you can hear about Liran's very special personality, and his tragic fall in battle in the village of Maron a-Ras in southern Lebanon on July 20, 2006, along with three of his force members.

Up the road to the observatory, you will pass through a small and beautiful pearl: the charming spring Ein Ro'im, which stands under a fig tree and next to it raspberry bushes, hairy willow and thickets of reeds.

In summer it is quite shady, but now it is full and its appearance under the tree and in front of the landscape is particularly pastoral.

Gold track

Another charming and surprising trip awaits you in Kiryat Shmona, a ten minute drive away.

This is the impressive Golden Park, which does not receive the resonance it deserves.

At its heart flows a stream whose waters flow from the Ein Zahav spring, with picturesque wooden bridges and impressive weeping willow trees.

To the left of the entrance you can pass through Gate 7, and after about 300 meters enter a small gate on the left.

Ten steps will lead you to a short and easy walk in a magical forest, in a tangled grove with streams and small ponds on the way.

Were we wrong?

Fixed!

If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us