Travelers considering Shlomi as a base for a trip will find a distinctive landscape nearby: Hanita Forest stretches north of Shlomi across 2,300 dunams. The Jewish National Fund (KKL) began reforestation in the 1940s. This provides a way to understand the forest both geographically and through its history.
Hanita Forest: Visitor Information and Cycling Trail
A KKL closure notice dated March 3, 2025, is important for planning a visit: since that date, it lists Hanita Forest as completely closed to visitors. This includes the Shlomi Picnic Area, the Hanita Picnic Area and Tower, the Shavit Lookout, and Ein Kovshim. Check the latest KKL notices before planning a visit.
The Hanita Forest cycling trail is 16.5 kilometers long, with 363 meters of elevation gain and a moderate difficulty rating. These figures describe the route’s distance, elevation gain, and rating as separate aspects. A KKL update dated July 27, 2026, also notes a restriction at the trail access point by the Shlomi parking lot: while tree restoration work is underway, cycling is prohibited there on this section. Take this specific information into account when planning, and check the latest notices before using the route.
Cultural Sites in the Northern District
In the wider Northern District travel destination, Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo offer an archaeological focus. Both are biblical tells with significant remains of cities associated with the Bible. Tel Megiddo is also one of three tells closely connected with events in the Bible.
At Tel Hazor, the visit focuses on the Upper City. Its varied remains include Solomon’s Gate, with six chambers and two towers dating to the 10th century BCE, as well as a Canaanite palace. The kings of Hazor used the palace in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE; the Late Bronze Age palace is described as the most elaborate in Israel and one of the most significant in the Levant. The fortifications are also considered an outstanding example: the finest of their kind in the area from southern Turkey to the northern Negev.
Tel Hazor also preserves significant remains of an underground water collection system. It is considered an ingenious engineering achievement, adapted to the geographical conditions and designed to store water. In the water system, steps three meters wide are carved into the walls of a vertical shaft; the excavated shaft is 45 meters deep. Together, these features show how the water technology and structures can be explored as distinct themes of the site.
Tel Megiddo offers different highlights. Its Early Bronze Age temple complex is exceptional for the number of its temples, the continuity of cult activity, and its documented ritual practices. The orthogonal city plan from the Iron Age has few parallels in the Levant. Those distinguishing the two sites by their archaeological focus will find water engineering, a palace, and fortifications at Tel Hazor, and a temple complex and urban layout at Tel Megiddo.
For Tel Hazor National Park, approach from either the north or the south via Route 90 toward Ayelet Hashahar. Check your navigation before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Hurfeish, Yeroáş–am, Rishon LeZion, Betzet, Metulla, Kefar Aharon, Kfar Saba, Shefer.
Go to the overview of the wider travel destination: Israel.
