A red-marked trail begins east of Umm el Ghanam and climbs to the southeastern corner of the summit of Mount Tabor. This creates a specific hiking connection between the village and the trails on Mount Tabor. Other marked routes differ in their courses and destinations.
Hiking Trails on Mount Tabor
The black-marked trail “סובב פסגה” circles the summit. A blue-marked trail begins near the Gazit Junction, climbs along a power line on the eastern slope, and connects to this summit loop. The red trail, by contrast, leads to the southeastern corner of the summit. When planning, you can therefore choose between a loop around the summit, a climb up the eastern slope that connects to the loop, and a trail approaching the summit area from the east.
Several marked hiking trails with viewpoints have been laid out on Mount Tabor; the Israel National Trail also crosses the mountain. The route layout is therefore a useful starting point for making your choice: are you looking for a loop around the summit, a route that connects to this loop, or a trail leading to the southeastern side of the summit? Before setting out, check the current route and the condition of the trails.
Archaeology in the Northern District
Tel Hazor is in the Northern District, and visits focus on the Upper City. One of the site’s archaeological features is Solomon’s Gate: it has six chambers and two towers and dates to the 10th century BC. The Canaanite palace was used by the kings of Hazor in the 14th and 13th centuries BC. The Late Bronze Age palace is considered the most elaborate in Israel and one of the most significant in the Levant.
The fortifications at Tel Hazor are also a special focus; they are considered the best example of their kind in the area between southern Turkey and the northern Negev. Tel Hazor also preserves significant remains of an underground water-collection system. It represents an ingenious engineering achievement, adapted to the geography, for storing water. Steps three meters wide are carved into the walls of the vertical shaft.
Route 90 is a useful landmark for reaching Tel Hazor National Park: the park can be reached from the north and south in the direction of Ayelet Hashahar. Before driving, check your navigation so you can factor the route into your plans.
Another major archaeological site in the Northern District is Tel Megiddo. The biblical tell preserves significant remains of a city with biblical associations and is one of three tells closely connected with events in the Bible. Its Early Bronze Age temple complex is exceptional for the number of its temples, the continuity of cult activity, and the documented ritual practices. An orthogonal—that is, right-angled—city plan dating from the Iron Age has few parallels in the Levant.
The sites offer different archaeological highlights: at Tel Hazor, the focus is on the palace, fortifications, and water engineering; Tel Megiddo is defined by its temple complex and city plan. Together, they offer different ways to explore the history of ancient cities in the Northern District.
Discover more destinations: Karmi'el, Kafr Manda, Beit Keshet, Misgav Am, Safsufa, Ramat Yishai, Migdal haEmek, Lavon.
For the broader travel overview: Northern District.
