Hiking the Golan Heights Trails

The Golan Heights is Israel's wild northeast corner: a basalt plateau of waterfalls, dormant volcanic hills, Crusader ruins and some of the country's best marked trails. In spring the plateau turns green and carpeted with wildflowers; in summer the streams and pools become the point. This is hiking country - you need a car, good shoes and a map, and the reward is Israel at its most untamed.

The essential trails

Gamla Nature Reserve is the classic: Israel's highest waterfall (51 meters), a raptor lookout where griffon vultures wheel below you, and the ruins of ancient Gamla - a Jewish city that fell to Rome even before Masada. The loop takes 3-4 hours. Banias (Hermon Stream), at the foot of Mount Hermon, combines an easy shaded walk along the stream with the grotto of Pan and Crusader remains; the waterfall trail is the family favorite. For views, Mount Bental offers a panorama into Syria from a former IDF bunker, with a coffee shop at the top.

Safety first: stay on marked trails

This is not a figure of speech. Parts of the Golan were mined decades ago, and while every official trail and site is cleared and fenced, venturing off marked paths is genuinely dangerous. Follow the trail markers (the color-coded stripes on rocks), respect fences, and check the Israel Nature and Parks Authority updates in winter - streams can flood after heavy rain.

The Druze villages

Mas'ade and Majdal Shams, on the slopes of Mount Hermon, are Druze villages known for hospitality, orchard apples and some of the best food in the north: fresh pita with labneh and za'atar, and the local knafeh. Stop for lunch rather than packing a sandwich - it's part of the experience.

Practical tips

Base yourself in Katzrin, a kibbutz guesthouse, or Tiberias if you want a bigger town. Most trailheads have no public transport - a rental car is close to mandatory. Spring (March-April) is peak beauty; summer mornings only. Entry to the nature reserves is paid per site; the Parks Authority's multi-site passes pay off if you're doing three or more.