Mount Carmel, which stretches along the coast, from Binyamina in the south to the edge of Haifa in the north, is a unique, beautiful mountain, with several great features. Known as the “Evergreen Mountain”, Mount Carmel will provide you with great views and a cool breeze even on the hottest summer days, alongside captivating history, rich Flora and Fauna, and numerous great sites to visit. Here is the ultimate Mount Carmel travel guide, for all of the best ways to experience the beautiful mountain.
Best places to visit in Mount Carmel
Nahal Me’arot Nature Reserve
In the center of Carmel Ridge is Nahal Me’arot, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The river is known for its four caves, where important remains were found indicating the settlement of an ancient civilization in Mount Carmel as early as 500,000 years ago.
Nahal Me’arot offers travelers both a visit to the historical caves and several circular trips on top of Mount Carmel Ridge with a spectacular view of the sea. The circular trips are suitable for almost any season (except for very hot days) and are a spectacular attraction during the spring when Mount Carmel is in full bloom.
Mukhraqa – the Mount Carmel Horn
The Mount Carmel Horn is a peak in Mount Carmel that reaches a height of 474 meters/1,555 feet, making it one of the highest peaks of Carmel Mountain. At the top of the peak is a monastery that belongs to the Carmelite order and bears the name of Elijah the prophet. The monastery was established in 1883 when it was built on the foundations of an ancient church.
It is highly recommended to enter the monastery and enjoy the amazing view from its top, as the Mukhraqa is considered to be one of the best viewpoints in Israel. From south to north you can see the Menashe Plateau, Wadi Ara, the northern Samaria mountains, Mount Gilboa, the Jezreel Valley, the Gilead Mountains, the Galilee Mountains, and even Mount Hermon.
According to Jewish belief, the biblical battle between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place in this very place. In this battle, the prophets of Baal stood in front of Elijah and made a competition as to who would be able to get his God to make fire and burn his offering first. After A whole day of failed attempts by the prophets of Baal, Elijah demonstrated the power of God with fire that came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering. This event is what gave the place its name, as Mukhraqa means “the place of fire”.
Mount Carmel Druze villages
Mount Carmel is one of the best places to experience the fascinating Druze culture, with the villages of Isfiya and Daliyat al-Karmel, which are both located on the mountain, close to Haifa. A visit to one or both of them will give you a chance to see a completely different side of Israel, try the great Druze cuisine, and learn more about this interesting culture. It is best to come here on Saturdays, when the Isfyia Market is open, and wander around the old quarter of Isfyia.
Hai-Bar Nature Reserve
Hai-Bar Nature Reserve is a reserve dedicated to raising animals that are in danger of extinction or those that have already disappeared from the area. Although it is not an ordinary zoo where there is a huge variety of animals, it is a great visit for both experiential and educational reasons and a very popular site for kids.
The reserve serves as a breeding ground for the animals here and when they are big and strong enough they are returned safely to their natural surroundings. Here, you’ll get to see animals such as the Persian ibex, the Carmel deer, wild goats, wild sheep, vultures, and various birds of prey.
Best hikes in Mount Carmel
Little Switzerland
The area of Mount Carmel known as Little Switzerland is considered by many to be the most beautiful part of Mount Carmel. The several hiking options here offer the best of Mount Carmel, with a lush Mediterranean forest all year round, spectacular blooms, limestone caves, and great viewpoints.
One of the shortest and best hikes here is the Nahal Kalah and Tsenir route. This is a circular, 1.2 km/0.8 mile-long route, which is mostly shaded. To start the trail, park in the Little Switzerland parking lot, and from there start walking on the green-marked path. At the beginning of the path, you will enter a shaded path with unique forest views.
After walking about 100 meters/330 feet, you will reach a sign directing you to the highly recommended “Tznir trail”, a short, out-and-back trail that goes to the left, outside the main path. After the turn, you will continue to climb about 100 meters/330 feet more, and after a few minutes, you will reach the famous “Tznir”. The Tznir is a concave cliff that looks like a wave that is a unique geological phenomenon, as it is still unknown how it was formed. From here, you’ll get a spectacular view of Mount Carmel and the sea.
In any case, when you get to the Tznir you should take a few moments to enjoy the beauty and power of nature and look at the breathtaking view of the Carmel forests. It is important to note – if you come here with small children, keep in mind that the tznir is a bit slippery, and is located next to a slope, so make sure to keep a close eye on them.
From the Tznir, go back the same way to the intersection where you turned. From there you can choose whether to return to the vehicle the same way you came from or continue on the long and circular route, which is marked with green trail markings.
If you chose to continue the trip, you will walk about 200 meters along the green marking and then you will meet with the red-marked path. The walk on the red path is about 800 meters which will bring you back to the starting point.
The “Prehistoric Man” Trail
The hike on Prehistoric Man Trail is circular, accessible trail and passes through several prehistoric caves. On your trip between the caves, you can learn about the longevity of the ancient civilization that lived here in the prehistoric period and enjoy an experiential film that will give you a chance to experience the ancient history of the caves.
The beginning of the route is in the “Oven Cave” – a cave with an opening in the ceiling reminiscent of an oven. From there you will reach the “Camel Cave” – whose shape resembles a hump. After that, we will meet the “River Cave” which is the longest of them all, and includes an impressive lights show tells the history of the place. During the trip, you will also reach an observation deck from which you can see magnificent views of Haifa, Mount Carmel, and the sea. The Prehistoric Man trail is an easy route that is suitable for families and is possible for almost any age and condition.
