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Snow in Israel is so rare and surprising. It gives us, Israelis, the inspirational feeling of a faraway exotic cold country. The only place to really enjoy a snow hike in Israel is on the Hermon Mountain range. I've hiked up and down this trek through all of the seasons and it's beautiful throughout the year, but I have to admit that the winter snows take my breath away every time. The huge oaks surrounded by snow, the amazing views from the peaks, the archeological sites burried and scattered through snow and ice is why this hike in Israel is so amazing, a land that is so used to scorching sun and heat.
This trek is a one-day hike that starts at the altitude of 1,000 meters and climbs to 1,500 meters. We’ll begin at the small village of Neve Ativ, climb through the dense Mediterranean grove, visit a small ancient temple on Mount Snaiim (“Mountain of Squirrels”), climb Mount Kahal (named after a mineral that was used for blue dye - Kahal meaning blue - that used to be mined on this mountain), enjoy some spectacular views and finish at the pool of Mann (that floods in the winter and dries in the summer). From the pool of Mann, we’ll climb up to the entrance (and exit) of the ski resort.
Most of the Hermon mountain range is actually in Syria and Lebanon, only about 7 percent of the range is in Israel territory. The highest peak in the Israeli Hermon is 2,224 meters high (the Syrian peaks climb to 2,800 meters). We have on the Hermon a small simple ski resort. The ski resort opens with the first heavy snow of the season, and can open and close intermittently all winter, depending on the amount of snow and the snow storms that close down the place. The ski resort gets very crowded during the weekends, some visitors just come to enjoy the snow and some to ski and snowboard. Most of the visitors sleep in the surrounding villages: Neve Ativ, Nimrod, Majdel Shams (a druse village) and more.
Keep in mind that the Hermon, being a triangular border with Syria and Lebanon, has a lot of restricted army areas and every hike (even on marked trails) should be coordinated with the army. You can contact them easily by phone and just ask if you can trek the red trail from Neve Ativ to the entrance to the ski resort. The number: 04-6966207. Check out trekking in military training areas for more! You should know that the army can inform you at any point that you cannot trek this trail at any given day. This is because of the fact that the trails on the Hermon are so close to borders. Occasionally they close the trails for civilians and travelers and then you are not permited to hike this trail.
Trek Summary
Days: 1
Kilometres: 9
Best Season: All year round. For snow trek January to February.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Geographical Area in Israel: North, Hermon Mt. Range
So, let’s dive in with the important logistics that you need to know in order to hike this trek independently.
Detailed map link
Seasons for trekking
The trek described here takes you through the lower altitudes of the Hermon range, where you can enjoy the snow in a quieter environment than the ski resort and in between huge oaks that are endemic to the Hermon range.
The trek can be enjoyed all winter long, some of the weeks it will be more snowed in than others. You can check how much snow there is at the Hermon website here. This trek can also be enjoyed all through the spring, when the mountain is littered with wildflowers and unique butterflies roam through them. Due to the high altitude, you can enjoy the spring season here for a longer period, even in early June. For more on seasons in Israel here!
Transportation
By car- You can park your car at the Neve Ativ cemetery, which is exactly where the red trail begins. At the end of the trek you can take a taxi from the entrance to the Hermon Ski Resort or hitch hike back to your car. On weekends the entrance and exit to the ski resort can be very, very crowded, making it easy to hitch hike. The parking in Neve Ativ is free of charge, and hiking the Hermon is free of charge also, unless you park your car at the ski resort during the ski season (through the spring summer and autumn seasons the parking there is free of charge).
By bus- There are buses to and from Neve Ativ, from Kiryat shmona (the nearest town up north in the Hula Valley). From the ski resort (the ending point) you’ll have to hitch hike or take a cab to the nearest bus station (Neve Ativ or Majdel Shams). The buses are at irregular hours. For the bus scheduhle here. You should enter starting point “Kiryat Shmona central bus station” and destination “Neve Ativ center”.
Check out trekking through Israel with public transportation for more.
Water supply
You should carry 3 liters of water with you. If it’s a sunny day and not a lot of snow I’d recommend even 4.5 liters. You can fill up water bottles at the beginning of the red trail, right outside of the Neve Ativ cemetery.
Food
You should pack a breakfast and lunch with you. You can buy supplies at a supermarket in Kiryat Shemona. Neve Ativ has a small store but you won’t find much there and it opens and closes at irregular hours. You can count on finishing the trek at Majdal Shams- the druse village right outside of the Hermon ski site- and eat a local druse meal there. They have all kinds of restaurants for all kinds of budgets. I recommend looking for some good Knaffe- a local desert treat.
Precautions and dangers
1. Dehydration- If it’s a sunny day it can get hot, even if you’re hiking in knee deep snow. Make sure you have on clothes that are also suitable for warm weather. Drink often and take at least 3 litres with you. If it’s sunny you should wear sunglasses, a hat and long-sleeved shirt.
2. Military Training area- The Hermon isn't formally a military training area, but the army is very present on this mountain. There are a few bases and patrols, and you’ll probably meet soldiers along your way on the road. They’re friendly and used to hikers on the mountain. But make sure you coordinate your hike with them beforehand, the number to coordinate- 04-6966207. Take notice that their answer can sometimes be that you cannot trek this trail on the date you asked. Have a back up plan. Saturdays are usually the days that the mountain is open for all.
3. Hypothermia- It gets cold and windy on the mountain. Especially in the mornings and afternoons. It’s easy to forget that you’re in Israel up here. Make sure to take warm clothing, a rain proof set and good boots. If you’re in distress and need assistance you can call the army number and they will connect you to the assistance that you need.
4. Time- the trek in the snow can take a full day. Start early. You’ll have to finish the trek by 16:00 in the afternoon because the sun starts to set at this hour and it gets cold, and the ski resort closes at 17:00. You don’t want to find yourself on the mountain at sundown with no way to get back down.
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you can call for help. Call 100 for the police and they can connect you with the regional rescue team. You can also call 101 for medical assistance.
Trail description
The trail throughout the day will be marked red (for more on trail marks in Israel), with a few detour options.
The trail head starts at Neve Ativ, near their cemetery. If you want to spend the night camping nearby, to get an early start of the day, right outside of the cemetery is a little space with a bench and running water where you can camp (unofficially, but legally). I’d recommend using a tent if you’re here during winter. Outside of winter, if it’s not raining, you can easily sleep under the stars (like in all areas in Israel). Another nearby place to camp is at Nabi Hazuri- a few minutes’ drive down route 989, southwest of Neve Ativ (you can see Nabi Hazuri on the map from the link above). If you’d like to sleep indoors there are cabins scattered all around Neve Ativ which you can rent for a night or two, or you can spend the night at Majdal Shams- also a few minutes’ drive.
To get to the cemetery walk (or drive) along the north west fence of Neve Ativ. Turn right at the first intersection if you’re coming from west (the Golan heights), or left at the last intersection if you're coming from the east. You’ll see some cherry orchards along the way (cherry picking, by payment, in the Golan heights in June is very popular!), just follow the asphalt road. The cemetery will be to your right, keep walking and the red trail will begin. If you came by car you can park outside of the cemetery.
You’ll start an ascent that’s unfortunately an asphalt road (for army purposes) up until the black trail head that will take you on a half hour return trip to Mount of Squirrels. Along the trail you’ll enjoy some incredible views of the Hula valley and the border with Lebanon. You’ll be hiking for the day between great huge oaks and Mediterranean grove.
A few hundred metres before the black trail head, you’ll find to your left a big (50x20 metres) ancient reservoir. It fills up in the winter and spring and dries out in the summer.
If you follow the black trail to Mount of Squirrels, you’ll find a mysterious old archaeological ruined temple, that dates back to the Roman Empire. The Hermon region and parts of southern Lebanon, during the Roman empire, was populated by The Iturea Empire. They built the temple on Mount of Squirrels and the ancient reservoir and a few other sites in the Hermon region.
After your visit to the Mt of Squirrels, head back to the red trail and keep ascending with the road to Mount Kahal. The road will continue to climb up, but the red trail mark heading to Mt. Kahal will head northwest (to your left), straight into the woods. It's easy to miss the red trail taking you into the woods, so make sure you're alert and look for the trail to your left.
If you’re in for another small detour before you start climbing up Mount Kahal here’s another adventure:
Right where the red trail marks head up into the woods, take the small trail that’s to your right. It’s unmarked but you’ll see it. It’ll take you down about 50 metres from the trail into a small meadow in the valley. In the valley you’ll find a concrete structure that holds water inside all year round. It’s a water cistern, there are few cisterns like this scattered in the Hermon region. They were built because the Hermon doesn’t hold any springs on the top (just the bottom- for instance the Banias). The Hermon is characterized by underground draining systems with sinkholes and caves (Karst), and so the soil doesn’t hold the water above ground. If you’re in the mood for a swim- you’re welcome to dip inside.
Back to Mount Kahal, follow the red trail up the mountain. This is where the trail starts getting interesting, you’re at a higher altitude so there might be more snow, the trail is narrow and steep and full of vegetation (but pretty clear most of the way). Along the way you’ll find a small cave that was quarried by the Itureans 2,000 years ago.
The part of the red trail that takes you through Mt Kahal can take a while, it’s the most beautiful and serene part of the day (away from the road, beautiful views into Lebanon) and it’s also the most demanding part - muddy, narrow and steep. Make sure you have at least 3 hours for it. Beware and always stay on the red marked trail. If you lose the trail, you can easily find yourself venturing into a deep dense forest of the Sion river north of the trail, and very close to the border with Lebanon.
If you don’t have enough time, you can skip Mt Kahal and keep following the road, after about 2 easy kilometres you’ll reunite with the red trail that descended Mt Kahal. After Mt Kahal the red trail will take you to the beautiful open valley of the pool of Mann that can hold a lot of snow.
Follow the red trail right up to the ski resort park. There you can arrange to meet a cab from Majdel Shams, or try hitchhiking down.
You can do this trek the other way around – start at the ski resort and finish in Neve Ativ. The trail will be a descent most of the way, but the logistics involving the transportation can be a little bit more difficult, and during the snow season the way up to the ski resort can be jammed with traffic in the mornings (even if you get there at 4 in the morning).
The Hermon Region in late spring (June)
You can hike this trek all year around, and it's always beautiful. From April to June, you'll enjoy amazing wildflowers and rare butterflies. Throughout the summer months, the Hermon Mt. Range is a great place to escape the scorching heat in the rest of Israel.
Hope you enjoyed the trek, I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments! Contact me here. Or comment below.
*Disclaimer*
It is the responsibility of the users of this website to be prepared for all possible conditions while trekking in Israel. Beware that conditions of trails may change day to day and season to season. All users of this website and its information assume full responsibility for their actions and judgments while trekking. The owner and authors of this site disclaims all liability including that of accident, loss, injury, or any other damage that may be sustained by anyone using the information contained on this website.