A Suggestion for a Hiker-Friendly Route on the 'Golan Trail'

After the war period, we are returning to hike in the Golan! In recent years, the Golan Trail has become one of the preferred destinations for hikers of all ages and from all walks of life. The hike along the trail provides breathtaking views of the Golan expanses, from the north with the Hermon in the background to the south facing the views of the Sea of Galilee. Some hikers choose to walk a short segment, while others take on the challenge of a multi-day route.

The Golan Trail: The length of the Golan Trail is approximately 130 km, marked in blue (Sea of Galilee), white (Hermon), and green (Golan), from Mount Hermon in the north to the On Cliffs overlooking the Sea of Galilee in the south. The Golan Trail is divided into 13 segments of varying lengths, between 6 to 13 km per individual segment. Each segment is accessible at both ends by a regular vehicle, meaning each segment is a linear hiking trail, and those walking each segment separately must leave a vehicle at the end of the route or use 'shuttles' that can be booked in advance. 

On the Golan Tourism website, you can find up-to-date navigation maps with points of interest and service points (grocery stores/water points) along the trail. Visit the Golan Trail on the Golan Tourism website.

This time, we chose to focus on one segment of the trail that is convenient and hiker-friendly:

The final segment of the Golan Trail - Segment 13 from Mevo Hama to Ein Tawfiq

Difficulty level: North to South – easy to moderate

Route length - 2-3 hours, 5 km.

The Route:

The final segment of the Golan Trail begins with a walk along the On Cliffs with a spectacular view toward the Sea of Galilee and the Galilee. 359 meters above sea level and 560 meters above the Sea of Galilee. The spot is a favorite for paragliders, and you might encounter them launching from the cliff. The hike is on an organized trail with a moderate descent for most of its length. The Sea of Galilee is spread out before you, the mountain slopes are painted green and filled with spring blooms.

Along the way, you can see Syrian bunkers that overlooked the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley until the Six-Day War. From here, the Syrians fired upon the farmers and settlements of the Jordan Valley. The route ends at Ein Tawfiq (Ein Aquv in Waze) - a spring flowing in the heart of the Mevo Hama forest. The site offers shade, picnic tables, a flowing spring, and a water channel. It is recommended to include a visit to the nearby Mitzpe Kinneret Mandel lookout, which can be reached via a short walk from the spring.

How to get there:

• Start of the route: South of the Mevo Hama Kibbutz cemetery.
• The route is not circular; you must leave a vehicle at the end of the segment (Ein Aquv in Waze) or arrange a shuttle back to the vehicle.
• Public transportation: Bus to Mevo Hama. For details on public transportation - https://www.calcalit-golan.co.il/golan-bus/

What to take: Water, an up-to-date printed or digital trail map, hiking shoes, a hat.

For a variety of businesses open in the Golan: https://tourgolan.org.il/open_golan/

For more details on the Golan Trail: https://tourgolan.org.il/golan-trail/