Overview
Take a trip to Golan Heights on your Israel vacation.
The Golan Heights are Israel’s mountainous northern region. Although internationally recognized as Syrian territory, the Golan Heights have been administered by Israel since 1967 when the region was captured during the Six-Day War.
A topic of debate during the last century, the history of Golan Heights extends much further back. The remains of a Chalcolithic Era settlement from around 5,000 years ago can be explored. Burial grounds from 4,000 years ago have also been uncovered. In northern Golan Heights is Nimrod Fortress, an ancient stronghold built in the 13th century by Muslim rulers to defend against possible Crusader attacks.
The region ranges in elevation from around 400 m (1,300 ft) in the south along the Yarmuk River to around 2,814 m (9,323 ft) on Mount Hermon in the north. The southern slopes of the mountain fall into Israeli territory and are home to a ski resort in the winter months. During the summer Golan Heights attracts hikers and nature lovers on Israel trips.
Gamla Nature Reserve and Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve offer opportunities to see Israel’s wildlife. Gamla is known for its large nesting population of Griffon vultures while in Yehudiya, gazelles, wild boars, jackals as well as raptors and songbirds may be spotted. In the flat plains of Beit Saida Valley located in the reserve are lagoons and marshes which are not found anywhere else on an Israel vacation.
Gamla Nature Reserve and Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve offer opportunities to see Israel’s wildlife. Gamla is known for its large nesting population of Griffon vultures while in Yehudiya, gazelles, wild boars, jackals as well as raptors and songbirds may be spotted. In the flat plains of Beit Saida Valley located in the reserve are lagoons and marshes which are not found anywhere else on an Israel vacation.
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Nimrod fortress
The surrounding landscape of the Golan Heights
View of the Golan Heights from Mt Bental is alw...
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