Hike in Nahal Kelach on the Carmel Mountain Range (above Haifa)
From the Final Fortress Parking Lot to Nahal Kelach
This recommended hike along the northern aspect of the Carmel Mountain Range overlooking the Mediterranean and the city of Haifa starts at the Last Fortress Parking Lot and ascends the Nahal Kelach creek. The going is easy until you arrive at Nahal Kelach, when it becomes moderately difficult with climbing on rocks. Because of this, you may decide to skip the Nahal Kelach part and return to your starting point. If you decide to do the Nahal Kelach part, you will need a second car to take you back to your starting point.
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The Carmel Mountain Range, otherwise known as just Mount Carmel, is a limestone ridge that rises steeply from the coastal plain. It extends southeastward from the Mediterranean Sea near Haifa for approximately 39 kilometers (24 miles) towards the vicinity of Jenin. It constitutes a natural divider between the Jezreel Valley, which is to the east of the ridge, and the coastal Sharon Plain at its southern end. Its northwestern end forms a headland at Haifa, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Time: About 3 hours for the total hike
Distance: 5 km for the total hike
Type of hike: One-way. If you are doing the whole hike, you will need to have some way of getting back to your car, usually with a second car. Put the following into Waze for the second car (דאלית אל כרמל חניון יד לבנים). Otherwise, consider making this a there and back hike and turning back when you come to Nahal Kelach. The total distance will then be about 6 km.
Difficulty: The first part of the hike is relatively easy, walking on a dirt footpath with only small rocks. However, the section on the Nahal Kelach creek is moderately difficult and involves climbing on rocks. There are handhelds in the rock at the beginning.
Directions: Put in “״חניון המבצר האחרון into Waze and click on “חניון המבצר האחרון מחוז חיפה.” The starting point of the hike is at the far end of the parking lot.
Public transport: Put in “״חניון המבצר האחרון into Moovit. The nearest bus stop is a 15 to 19 minute walk.
THE HIKE:
It would be nice if one could see nothing but the Mediterranean from the path, but because of the foliage one has only periodic glimpses; but this does not detract from the hike. As one approaches the wadi of Nahal Kelach, the view of the cliffs becomes particularly impressive.
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From the far end of the parking lot take the path to an intersection. Turn left on the black trail. When you come to a asphalt-covered road, cross the road to the continuation of the trail is on the other side of the road.
As its name implies, Final Fortress Picnic Area has some history. Both the British and the Hagenah were extremely concerned about a possible German victory in the Middle East during World War II. For the Jews, this could have led to another Final Solution i.e., genocide of the Jews In Palestine. The British prepared defenses in the Carmel Mountain against a possible German attack from the north for a last stand. As it happened, Field Marshall Rommel was defeated by the British at the Battle of Al-Alamein, and Palestine remained in British hands. You will see trenches at the side of the parking lot, which were part of British defenses. The high rise in front of you is part of Haifa University.
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You will eventually come to another asphalt-covered road. Cross this road to the parking lot and leisure area. Walk through this area. There are restrooms here. At the far end is the beginning of the red trail, with a sign to Wadi Kelah.
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The view will eventually open up before you and you will have wonderful views of the cliffs. Continue along the trail to an intersection of the red trail with the blue trail by a bridge. Proceed along the blue trail along the Nahal Kelach creek. If you are skipping the wadi, turn back the way you came.
Carmel Mountain is made of the sedentary rock limestone. The presence of magnesium in the limestone, called dolomite, makes the rock harder and allows for the formation of cliffs such as the one you are walking on and on the other side of the valley. Notice the pipe structure formed by the rock. How this happens is not known.
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At the end of the ascent through the wadi, the blue-marked trail curves to the left to the Yad Labanim Campground (חניון יד לבנים).
The colorful cliffs seen on approaching the wadi of Nahal Kelach
A trench built by the British at the Final Fortress parking lot.
The wadi of Nahal Kelach
Links to the best family activities, hikes and historic sites in the GOLAN, EASTERN GALILEE, UPPER GALILEE, LOWER GALILEE, JORDAN VALLEY & LAKE KINNERET, the SHEFELAH, TEL AVIV-YAFFO and surroundings, NORTH of TEL AVIV, and SOUTH of TEL AVIV.