Cross the Galilee- the challenging way
This 6 day program is our recommended ride for avid road riders, that want to challenge themselves, in Israel's northern region. The route follows side roads, and is a combination of challenging riding, with some time to tour. The ride can be done independently as a self guided tour, or as a supported group tour. Group leaders and travel agents contact us for rates.
Day 1: Arrival
Tour starts in the town of Naharia, on the coast, arrive with transfer or by train.
Once we have checked into our hotel we will head to a sea-view restaurant where we will celebrate the beginning of our tour and go over the itinerary.
Overnight: Naharia
Tour starts in the town of Naharia, on the coast, arrive with transfer or by train.
Once we have checked into our hotel we will head to a sea-view restaurant where we will celebrate the beginning of our tour and go over the itinerary.
Overnight: Naharia
Day 2: Naharia to Safed
We will begin the ride along the Mediterranean coast, past the Ackziv river and Rosh Ha Nikra nature reserve. From here we will begin to climb towards the Upper Galilee, taking a small side road along Israel’s northern border, over looking the Lebanese mountains. After passing through several Kibbutzim and farming communities, we will stop for a light lunch at the Bara’m National Park, and pay a short visit to the ruins of the ancient city here. From here we will continue through the vineyards and orchards to the ancient city of Safed. We will spend the night in the historic center of this holy city, and take a walking tour of the ancient alleys and synagogues.
Cycling Distance: 85km
Overnight: Safed
We will begin the ride along the Mediterranean coast, past the Ackziv river and Rosh Ha Nikra nature reserve. From here we will begin to climb towards the Upper Galilee, taking a small side road along Israel’s northern border, over looking the Lebanese mountains. After passing through several Kibbutzim and farming communities, we will stop for a light lunch at the Bara’m National Park, and pay a short visit to the ruins of the ancient city here. From here we will continue through the vineyards and orchards to the ancient city of Safed. We will spend the night in the historic center of this holy city, and take a walking tour of the ancient alleys and synagogues.
Cycling Distance: 85km
Overnight: Safed
Day 3: Galilee to Mt Hermon
Today’s ride will begin from the top of the Galilee Mountains, take us down through the Hula Valley and then back up to Mt Heron, Israel’s highest point. Along the way we will pass the historical site of Tel Chai, a corner stone of modern Israeli history, as well as various interesting villages and sites, including the tributaries of the Jordon River and the ancient Roman City of Banias. As we ascend to the base of Mt. Hermon we will stop in a Druze village for a taste of the local cuisine, before heading to our hotel in the Northern Golan Heights.
Cycling Distance: 110km Overnight: Golan Heights
Today’s ride will begin from the top of the Galilee Mountains, take us down through the Hula Valley and then back up to Mt Heron, Israel’s highest point. Along the way we will pass the historical site of Tel Chai, a corner stone of modern Israeli history, as well as various interesting villages and sites, including the tributaries of the Jordon River and the ancient Roman City of Banias. As we ascend to the base of Mt. Hermon we will stop in a Druze village for a taste of the local cuisine, before heading to our hotel in the Northern Golan Heights.
Cycling Distance: 110km Overnight: Golan Heights
Day 4: Golan Heights & Sea of Galilee
We will ride across the plains of the Golan, with the green fields, black rock hills and small streams crossing under the road. We will ride down to the Sea of Galilee, birth place of Christianity and the Kibbutz Movement. We will stop for a short visit at the Jordan River, and then begin to climb from the lake up towards the Lower Galilee. We will stop for lunch overlooking the area, and then continue towards Mt Tabor. We will end the day with a climb to the top of Mt Tabor, and visit the ancient monastery at the top. From here we will ride down to Kfar Tabor where we will spend the night, and enjoy a drink at the local winery
Approx Cycling Distance: 75km
Overnight: Kfar Tabor
We will ride across the plains of the Golan, with the green fields, black rock hills and small streams crossing under the road. We will ride down to the Sea of Galilee, birth place of Christianity and the Kibbutz Movement. We will stop for a short visit at the Jordan River, and then begin to climb from the lake up towards the Lower Galilee. We will stop for lunch overlooking the area, and then continue towards Mt Tabor. We will end the day with a climb to the top of Mt Tabor, and visit the ancient monastery at the top. From here we will ride down to Kfar Tabor where we will spend the night, and enjoy a drink at the local winery
Approx Cycling Distance: 75km
Overnight: Kfar Tabor
Day 5: Kfar Tabor
The last leg of our ride will take us around the Nazareth Mountains, across the Jezreel Valley and up Mt Carmel. We will pass several historic villages and towns in the valley, where the pioneers of the State of Israel settled at the beginning of the last century. From here we will arrive at the foot of the Biblical Mt.Carmel, and climb to the Horn of Carmel, where the prophet Elijah contested the prophets of Ba’al. We will stop for lunch in Daliyat El Carmel, and take some time to explore the local market there. The ride will end at the port city of Haifa, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We will enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in town, and toast the end of the tour.
Approx Cycling Distance: 100km
Overnight: Haifa
The last leg of our ride will take us around the Nazareth Mountains, across the Jezreel Valley and up Mt Carmel. We will pass several historic villages and towns in the valley, where the pioneers of the State of Israel settled at the beginning of the last century. From here we will arrive at the foot of the Biblical Mt.Carmel, and climb to the Horn of Carmel, where the prophet Elijah contested the prophets of Ba’al. We will stop for lunch in Daliyat El Carmel, and take some time to explore the local market there. The ride will end at the port city of Haifa, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We will enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in town, and toast the end of the tour.
Approx Cycling Distance: 100km
Overnight: Haifa