Meitar is surrounded by a forest that extends in a horseshoe shape to the north, east and west of the town. At the foot of the southern Hebron Mountains, Meitar Forest covers about 8,200 dunams, of which around 6,700 dunams are planted. There are approximately 106,000 trees in the forest; around 56 percent are conifers and the rest are deciduous trees. This forested landscape gives the town a distinct character. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the scenic road, the viewpoint, and the cycling and long-distance routes as different options.
Forest, Road and Viewpoint
The approximately 13.5-kilometer scenic road crosses Meitar Forest from north to south. It is accessible by private car and passes between the picnic areas and the forest’s main sites. If you want to drive through the forest, this route offers a clear north-south direction. The road’s route should be distinguished from the forest’s location: the forest surrounds Meitar to the north, east and west, while the scenic road runs through the forest.
A paved viewpoint lies southwest of the water reservoir. From there, views extend north, west and south, with Meitar below. If you are interested in the town’s location, you can see not just one direction, but several sides of its surroundings, as well as Meitar itself. The viewpoint thus offers a different focus from the road’s north-south crossing.
Traces of Earlier Use and a Memorial
In Meitar Forest, a paved area and pillars faced with river pebbles mark the site of the former forestry house. A memorial to Noam Rosenthal also stands beside the old building in the forest. Shaped like a concert grand piano, it reflects his love of music and of this instrument. The landscape is therefore accompanied by two specific memorials: the marked site of the former forestry house and a memorial with a musical form.
Cycling Route and Long-Distance Trail
The Sovev Yaar Meitar singletrack is a winding shared-use route around Meitar, with several entry and exit points. It runs south and east of the town, while an eight-kilometer loop lies to the north. The trail is ridden in both directions. Take extra care on blind curves because you may encounter cyclists coming from the opposite direction. The distances refer to different types of routes: the approximately 13.5 kilometers refer to the north-south scenic road, and the eight kilometers to the singletrack’s northern loop. This means you are comparing a road crossing with a loop, not two similar circular routes.
The Israel National Trail also passes through Meitar Forest, linking Mount Sansan with the Yatir Mountains. This route adds a connection between two named landscape features to the local forest trails. If you are distinguishing between the different kinds of routes available in Meitar, you can choose between the accessible-by-car scenic road, the winding singletrack and the route of the Israel National Trail.
More Places to Explore in the Southern District
Other destinations in the Southern District showcase further aspects of the region. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Route in the Negev Highlands. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve encompasses Israel’s largest oasis, with springs and waterfalls, ibex and rock hyraxes, and flowing streams. These examples complement Meitar’s forest landscape with the Southern District’s distinct historical and natural attractions.
Discover more destinations: Ein Gedi, Hatzeva, Giv'ot Bar, Beersheba, Ein Bokek, Mitzpe Ramon, Merhav Am, Kiryat Malakhi
For the broader travel overview: Southern District.
