Bicycle and Hiking Trails in Merom HaGalil – In the North
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Magical green views, mountain ranges, streams and valleys, clear air, heritage sites, tombs of the righteous, vineyards, and wineries. All this awaits you on the bicycle trails within the forest paths of Birya and Bar’am in Merom HaGalil. The suggested routes are suitable for experienced riders.
The bicycle trail route in Merom HaGalil follows existing forest paths and agricultural roads. The trails were prepared and signposted by the KKL-JNF with the assistance of the Government Tourism Corporation (GTC), the Merom HaGalil Regional Council, the Gush Halav Local Council, and the Nature and Parks Authority, and were built according to the difficulty levels of riding them. From the many available options, we have chosen riding routes for you at medium and difficult levels for skilled riders.
Bicycle Trip Routes in the North
The bicycle trails can be reached from Birya Forest – Ein Zeitim parking lot (Route 886), Hozim parking lot, and/or Rabin parking lot in Bar’am Forest (Route 8967). From Moshav Kerem Ben Zimra (Route 886) and from Gush Halav-Jish (Route 89).
Green Trail Number 1 (Medium difficulty level) – A circular route 5 km long. Starting and ending point at the Ein Zeitim parking lot in Birya Forest. Please pay attention to the recommended riding direction marked on the map with arrows.
Blue Trail Number 2 – This is a medium difficulty level suitable for riders with off-road riding skills. The trail, 17 km long, starts and ends at Moshav Kerem Ben Zimra.
Depart from the entrance to Moshav Kerem Ben Zimra and turn south (left) on the asphalt road toward the moshav’s chicken coops. Cross an iron gate and enter a dirt path that descends to Ein Alva. Ride until the connection point of the path with the Gush Halav Stream, cross the stream, and turn north on a short, steep descent. It is recommended to walk down as the path at this point is wet and slippery. Continue riding on the path along the Gush Halav Stream until the meeting of the Gush Halav-Dishon streams. At the junction, turn north onto the Israel National Trail. At this point, turn to the eastern path that curves sharply north and climbs into Bar’am Forest. At this point, a window to the panoramic view of the country’s northern border begins to open. Continue riding with the path until a sharp turn east. At this point, begin descending toward the northeast. The continuation of the path goes south, and from this point, a climb begins toward the orchards of Moshav Kerem Ben Zimra until connecting with the settlement’s perimeter road. At this point, turn north and ride along the perimeter road until connecting to the point from which we departed.
Green Trail Number 3 (Medium difficulty level) – A circular route 3.5 km long. Starting and ending point at the Rabin parking lot in Bar’am Forest. Suitable for riding in both directions.
Red Trail Number 4 – This is a very high difficulty level suitable for riders with high riding skills and high physical fitness.
The starting point for this trail is possible from several places: Rabin parking lot in Bar’am Forest, from the entrance to Moshav Kerem Ben Zimra, from Gush Halav (Jish), and for those arriving from the direction of Birya Forest, you can start at the Ein Zeitim parking lot or the Be’er Hozim parking lot. The route is possible as a 20 km circular trail or as a 36 km “figure-eight” if riding the “Matityahu Farm” loop. For those starting at the Ein Zeitim or Be’er Hozim parking lots, there is an additional out-and-back riding section with a total length of about 20 km.
Route description for those starting in Gush Halav (Jish) – Depart from the community center parking lot riding north toward the Gush Halav Stream on a dirt path that later connects with green trail markings. After about 300 m, you can see the remains of the ancient Gush Halav synagogue to the east of the path and adjacent to it. From there, continue riding downhill along the Gush Halav Stream. On the path, there is a steep descent section before crossing the stream, where it is recommended to walk down because the path is wet and slippery. Continue riding on the path along the Gush Halav Stream until the meeting of the Gush Halav-Dishon streams. At the junction, turn north onto the Israel National Trail.
Route description for those starting the route from the Ein Zeitim or Be’er Hozim parking lots in Birya Forest – An addition of about 20 km – ride on the path leading toward Kadita, an uphill riding section on an asphalt road and its continuation on a dirt path toward Dalton Lake. Circle the lake from the east, near the Dalton airstrip carefully cross the road, and from there ride on the path parallel to the road until its meeting with the path leading to Moshav Kerem Ben Zimra. At the junction of the paths, turn north and ride on the path straight ahead until its connection with the perimeter asphalt road of Moshav Kerem Ben Zimra near the moshav’s chicken coops. On the road, turn west, cross an iron gate, and enter a dirt path that descends to Ein Alva and continues to the Gush Halav Stream. From there, the continuation of the route matches the description above for those coming from the direction of Jish.
For those interested in riding the “Figure-Eight” route including the Matityahu Farm “Loop” – An addition of about 16 km. – Start the ride from Jish as described above until the underpass of the Dishon Stream. Cross the pass and ride on the Israel National Trail for about 2.3 km, depart from the Israel National Trail at a turn north on a long and technical climb until a fork in the paths where you turn east and circle the mountain around Matityahu Farm. Near the large oak tree, it is worth stopping for the view, and from there ride downhill back to the underpass of the Dishon Stream. Cross the pass and turn west on a long and technical climb to the Rabin parking lot. From there, the continuation of the route matches the description above for those coming from the direction of Jish.
Thanks for the information:
To the Ministry of Tourism, through the Government Tourism Corporation in cooperation with the KKL-JNF, Merom HaGalil Regional Council, Gush Halav Local Council, and the Nature and Parks Authority.
KKL-JNF Information Center: 1-800-350-550
Nature and Parks Authority: *3639