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The Golan trail “Shvil HaGolan”Day one

Posted on 23. Mar, 2009 by yoyo in Golan trail 3 2009

To celebrate my discharge from the army (March 15th 2009) we went to the Golan heights to track across the Golan trail, or in Hebrew “Shvil Hagolan“. It is a relatively new trail which goes all the way from Mount Hermon to Tel-Kazir. The trail was opened on  may 24 2007 (which was my 22 birthday). it is marked with the green blue and white to symbolize the Hermon, the Kinneret(sea of Galilee) and the Golan. the trail shows on the trail marking (1:50,000) map as a blue constant  line with the name in Hebrew, it’s map number 1 Golan & Hermon.

Important Details: 6-4 days walk. recommended seasons spring & summer (could be done in winter but you’ll need warm clothes a tent and to check the weather). also avoid mine fields by keeping to the trail and not crossing unnecessary fences. mine fields are very well signed and close. the trail goes through cattle gates preventing cattle from straying. if closed close behind you.

We started by taking the bus from Hazor to Neve Ativ. (line 055 by Egged). the actual trail starts northern to Majdal Shams(the bus passes there as well), but we wanted to track up to the starting point from a different point, and not walk the same way up and down. the gate was locked due to military training there. Important note: big parts of Israel and the Golan are fire training areas during the week. if you want to travel during the week keep to trails and check for the fire training mark on your map (a pink background on Israeli typical 1:50,000 map).

From Neve Ativ we walked down to Nimrod Fortress (which costs 20 Shekels to enter) passing through Neby Hazuri  and The Egoz unitmonument. Nebi Hazuri is a sacred place to the Druze people. it was built and maintained by the men of the nearby village of Ein-Qiniyye. the man there told us that Nebi Hazuri (Hazuri the prophet) lived approximately 3,000 years ago, before the people of Canaan learned monotheism. he told us that he was a king in the whereabouts of today’s Jerusalem and had decided to live his life as a king and move to the Golan. if you have any other information abouy Nebi Hazuri, please inform me so   I could put it in.

The trail this far: By bus to Neve-Ativ on the road to the Egoz monument/ Neby Hazuri, the red trail to Nimrod fortress.

From Nimrod fortress we walked down the road to Ein Qiniyye and climbed from there to Mount Nimrod. not before we bought some Humus and groceries in the village. the druze villages of the Golan are different than those of the Galilee. most of the people there are not Israeli citizens, and do not vote in the public elections, unlike the druze people of the Galilee. the reason for the difference is that the Golan is considered occupied territory by some countries and might be returned to Syria in a peace treaty. therefor the druze people of  the Golan do not want to make them selves look like collaborators. none the less they are hospital and nice people who would happily show you your way and tell their story. they all speak Arabic, some speak Hebrew and some English. Try to converse with some of the older people you meet. you just might hear some interesting stories.

On Mount Nimrod we got on the Golan Trail, and from there went on to Birkat Ram which is a big very blue lake just out of Mas’ade. The legend says that the near by hill called ‘Jabel A-Sheyha’ (Sheikh’s wife mountain) is ‘Jabel A-Sheikh’s (Mount Hermon in Arabic).  When snowy Mount Hermon does look like an old grammpa watching over the smaller hills of the surrounding Golan. and the blue clear water could look like an eye. but I guess you’ll have to be there to see for yourself.

We camped for night just by the lake. most trails in Israel are inside nature reserves and there for have camping grounds only on which you’re allowed to sleep. this area isn’t so just camp down wherever you find flat clear space. the surrounding area is field with Olive tree plantations Almond trees and other crops. we had plenty of burning wood for our camp fire from piles made by the Druze farmers from excessive branches.

It was a very cold typical night for the Golan, especially the Hermon region which is higher and more to the north. it was so cold that my wet T-shirt became stiff with ice after I hung it to ‘dry’ over my tent.

First day we did:

1. To Neve Ativ by bus (got there at about 12:30)
2. Down to Nebi Hazur on the road leading there
3. A walk down Nimrod Fortress using the red trail
4. A short walk to Ein Qiniyye on the road
5. Climb the way from Ein Qiniyye to Mount Nimrod
6. Across Sa’ar river and Mas’ade to Birkat Ram.

First day I would recommend walking the Golan Trail:

1. By bus to Majdal Shams
2. Getting from Majdal Shams to the Golan Trail
3. A climb up to Bir A-Tzuba (where the trail starts)
4. Walking back down and up Nimrod Mountain
5. Part six of what we did

Secon Day: Birkat Ram to mount Bental

Third Day: mount Bental to Alonei HaBashan

Tags: blogsherpa, golan, israel and the palestinian territories