Two superb hikes along the Carmel Mountain Range overlooking Haifa — in Nahal Kelach and Nesher Park
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
Nesher Park and its two suspension bridges
Nesher Park on the northeastern slopes of Mount Carmel in the town of Nesher near Haifa is a scenic destination well-known for its two suspension bridges and lush Mediterranean vegetation. Two walks are described. One is an easy walk to the bridges on a concrete path, and the other is a magical, slightly longer and minimally difficult hike to the bridges via the Katia Stream gully.
Directions: Enter “Nesher Park” into Waze and click on “Nesher Park suspension bridge.” There is a free parking lot at the entrance to the park.
Admission: There is no admission charge for the park, which is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is advisable to arrive early on weekends and holidays as the park can get crowded. Below the parking lot is a play area with climbing equipment and some picnic tables. Shortly after the beginning of the direct trail on the concrete path is a building markedפיצה (pizza) that contains restrooms and a store selling hot and cold drinks, ice-cream, and fast food, including hamburgers and pizza. There is a nearby shaded picnic area.
Public transport: Enter “Nesher Park Suspension Bridges” into Moovit. The bus stop is only a short distance from the park.
SHORTER DIRECT WALK:
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Time: About an hour there and back
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Distance: Just over 2 km there and back
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Type of walk: Same-way there and back
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The walk is on a concrete path which is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Crossing the bridges is minimally difficult, since the bridges sag and mild climbing is involved. There are metal bars on the bridge to maintain one’s balance, but these are slightly slippery. Alternatively, you can view the bridges without crossing them.
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From the parking lot, continue along the scenic black-marked concrete path and past the food establishment until you come to the first bridge. There are benches along the trail. If you wish, you can cross the bridge and then return to its beginning.
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Continue to the second bridge. After crossing this bridge return to your car the way you came.
LONGER HIKE VIA THE KATIA STREAM GULLY
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Distance: 2½ km
Type of hike: Circular
Difficulty: This trail is minimally difficult in some places as one is descending on bare rock. However, none are challenging or dangerous. Walking poles can be helpful, but are not essential.
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From the parking lot, descend on the green-marked trail to the wadi. You will pass children’s play equipment and picnic benches, many of them shaded. You will also come to a menorah, dedicated to the memory of Lt. Uri Binamo, who prevented two suicide bombers from entering Israel with his body. Throughout the trail are signs with information about chameleons (in Hebrew), as these reptiles were of particular interest to him.
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You will come to an optional blue-marked trail. This goes a bit further down the valley and passes prehistoric caves before joining up with the green-marked trail.
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When you meet the black-marked trail you have a choice. You can either continue on the green-marked trail to the first bridge. You will pass an overlook as you ascend. When you arrive at the first bridge, cross it, and then turn left on the concrete path to the far bridge. Return to your car via the concrete path. Alternatively, and this is recommended, continue on the black-marked trail through the valley and this will take you to the concrete path by the far bridge. You can cross this bridge for the experience and then return to the concrete path. Turn right to the first bridge and also cross this bridge for the experience. Return to your car by the concrete path.
Map of the park
The trail has almost a magical feel with its alternating shade and sunlight
Play equipment at the beginning of the green-marked trail
The ascent to the suspension bridge on the green-marked trail
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.