| In Israel we have a variety of landscapes. The Golan
Heights, for example, was created from volcanic activity. All these volcanoes
are extinct and many are accessible by car. Drive along Road 90; head North,
pass the turn off to Hatzor HaGalilee on our left (west) until you reach Tzomet
Machanayim. At the junction, turn right (east) on Road 91. Drive until you pass
Kibbutz Mishmar Hayarden. Go over Gesher Bannot Yacov over the Jordan river. Pass
the Old Customs House (Beit HaMechess) along Road 91. From Gesher Bannot
Yacov drive approximately 16 km. And pass some Israeli Army bases and deserted
villages. These date back to June, 1967 when the Circassians left the area. You
will pass, on your left, the turn off to Kibbutz Ortal. At this point look forward
and to your right to see ten wind turbines that produce electricity for the area's
Jewish Settlements. Continue on Road 91 and pass Kibbutz Ein Zivan until
the next junction. At this point turn left (north) on Road 98. On your left is
a steep slope which is the Northern front of Har Avital. On our right (east),
you will see the remains of Kenetra, former Syrian capital of the Golan Heights.
This town was a rest stop for caravans. During the Ottoman period (1516-1918)
a custom post was built here. In the late 1880's a German Archeologist surveyed
the area and reported that Kunetra was occupied by Circassians, soldiers and clerks
of the Ottoman Empire.
After about 2 km. take the first left and drive up a small hill. Remain
on the road as you start to head down. Now you are heading into the crater
of Har Avital. Continue along and swing to the right and head up. At the
top, stop to enjoy the view. Drive along past the turn-off (on your right
there is a helicopter landing pad used by the Israeli Army) to the junction.
Turn right (north) and then make another right at the sign that says "Volcanic
Park." This steep road will take you to the top of Mt. Bental, which
is 1,165 meters above sea level. There is a parking lot. Here are former
Israeli Army bunkers built after October, 1973.
Enjoy a bird's eye view of Emek HaBacha, or the Vale of Tears. In this
valley Avigdor Kahalani and the Seventh Armored Brigade held the Syrian
Army during the Yom Kippur war in Oct. of 1973. There is also a coffee
shop, Caffee Anan.
Leave the site at the bottom of the mountain,
turn left and continue to the junction and then turn right. A left turn takes
you back to the crater. Make a right at the next junction and then make a left
until the next junction. There is a sign to Rosh Pina pointing back on Road 91
South. Based on an article in the Safed "Western Settlers'
Newsletter." Moshe Friedman is a certified tour guide and medic. Email: friedman@kinneret.co.il;
cell phone: 050-417651. Drive along Road 90; head North,
pass the turn off to Hatzor HaGalilee on our left (west) until you reach Tzomet
Machanayim. At the junction, turn right (east) on Road 91. Drive until you pass
Kibbutz Mishmar Hayarden. Go over Gesher Bannot Yacov over the Jordan river. Pass
the Old Customs House (Beit HaMechess) along Road 91. From
Gesher Bannot Yacov drive approximately 16 km. And pass some Israeli Army bases
and deserted villages. These date back to June, 1967 when the Circassians left
the area. You will pass, on your left, the turn off to Kibbutz Ortal. At this
point look forward and to your right to see ten wind turbines that produce electricity
for the area's Jewish Settlements. Continue on Road 91 and
pass Kibbutz Ein Zivan until the next junction. At this point turn left (north)
on Road 98. On your left is a steep slope which is the Northern front of Har Avital.
On our right (east), you will see the remains of Kenetra, former Syrian capital
of the Golan Heights. This town was a rest stop for caravans. During the Ottoman
period (1516-1918) a custom post was built here. In the late 1880's a German Archeologist
surveyed the area and reported that Kunetra was occupied by Circassians, soldiers
and clerks of the Ottoman Empire. After about 2 km. take the
first left and drive up a small hill. Remain on the road as you start to head
down. Now you are heading into the crater of Har Avital. Continue along and swing
to the right and head up. At the top, stop to enjoy the view. Drive along past
the turn-off (on your right there is a helicopter landing pad used by the Israel
Army.) to the junction. Turn right (north) and then make another right at the
sign that says "Volcanic Park." This steep road will take you to the
top of Mt. Bental, which is 1,165 meters above sea level. There is a parking lot.
Here are former Israeli Army bunkers built after October, 1973. Enjoy
a bird's eye view of Emek HaBacha, or the Vale of Tears. In this valley Avigdor
Kahalani and the Seventh Armored Brigade held the Syrian Army during the Yom Kippur
war in Oct. of 1973. There is also a coffee shop, Caf? Anan. Leave
the site at the bottom of the mountain, turn left and continue to the junction
and then turn right. A left turn takes you back to the crater. Make a right at
the next junction and then make a left until the next junction. There is a sign
to Rosh Pina pointing back on Road 91 South. Based
on an article in the Safed "Western Settlers' Newsletter." Moshe Friedman
is a certified tour guide and medic. Email: friedman@kinneret.co.il; cell phone:
050-417651. | 