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See the Sights I

Mount Hermon reopens to visitors Last month, the Hermon ski resort reopened to visitors, even though skiing isn’t yet possible, due to damage caused to the lifts during war. But in truth, even without the skiing, there’s so much to enjoy here: the 2,040m-high cable car, the high speed sledding tracks, the SkyRider VR simulation, and the list goes on. Note than in the summer, a whole range of summer attractions will replace the winter ones. Also, guided tours to the top of the mountain are available year-round, offering an opportunity to learn about its fascinating history and spectacular fauna and flora, as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Hula Valley, Golan Heights, and Lebanese and Syrian mountain ranges. skihermon.co.il

The Nahal Ayun Nature Reserve

Agamon Hahula I Photo: Inbar Shlomit Rubin

stream, as well as to four impressive waterfalls, including the Tahana waterfall (21m), one of the most beautiful in Israel, which also boasts the remains of an ancient flour mill, (“tahana” means “mill” in Hebrew), and the Hatanur waterfall, which at 30m, is one of the highest in the country. The reserve has two parking lots with an area for picnics and shaded wading pools. parks.org.il Mitzpe Dado: a breathtaking scenic lookout Just above Metula, Israel’s northernmost town, lies Mitzpe Dado, a spectacular lookout from where you can see the mountains of the Golan Heights, the Naftali Mountain Ridge, Mount Hermon, but also the Lebanese towns of Al-Khiyam, Marjayoun, and Kfar Kila – names the war has rendered

familiar. Now though, the sky is blue, the air is clean, and tranquility has been restored. Remnants of the war can only be observed once you enter Metula itself, where houses have been hit by rockets. Its inhabitants are slowly but surely returning to their beautiful town, ready to rebuild. ˆ

ark by the KKL-JNF. Twice a year, no less than 500 million migratory birds pass through it. Pelicans, cranes, buzzards, ducks, plovers, and a myriad songbirds come here to enjoy the nutrient-rich waters of the Hula Lake. Indeed as spring marks the start of the birds’ mating and nesting season, the lake’s white waterlilies are in full bloom and the new lythrum blossoms color everything purple, attracting bees, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, etc. agamon-hula.co.il The Nahal Ayun Nature Reserve Not far from Metula, this reserve is home to the perennial Ayun

Mitzpe Dado I Photo: Nava Marton

20 ATMOSPHERE APRIL 2025