Ramah Galil Ride 2011Illustrated Itinerary

Day 1: A-BDay 2: B-CDay 3: C-DDay 4a: D-EDay 4b: F-GDay 5: F-F

Start: Katzrin

Finish: Merom GolanAfter breakfast we will be transported to the ancient and modern “capital” of the Golan Heights, Katzrin. We ride south toward the Mapalim Junction and will pass a number of important sites of interest along the way, including: ancient Gamla, the Golan Heights’ central water reservoirs, and a few of the Golan’s communities and riverbeds. We then start our ascent northeast passing a lookout that allows us to better appreciate the geo-strategic significance of the Golan and gives us an understanding of the battle stories of the Yom Kippur war, including Tel Saki. We then climb north up to the Bashan Junction and Alonei HaBashan (the easternmost settlement in Israel). We will also have the opportunity to cycle through the crater of the Mt. Avital volcano north to Mt. Bental. Those who wish can ride the steep climb to the bunker at the top of the mountain. The end the day will offer a stunning view of Mt. Hermon and a look into Syrian territory before we descend Mt. Bental and make our way next door to Kibbutz Merom Golan.

Day 1Bogrim Option – Distance: 67 km (42 miles); Elevation Gain: 1134 m

(3720 ft)

Shoafim Option – Distance: 48 km (30 miles); Elevation Gain: 746 m (2447 ft)

Option to climb Mt. Hermon

Day 2Bogrim Option – Distance: 108 km (67 miles); Elevation Gain: 1600 m

(5400 ft)

Shoafim Option – Distance: 75 km (46.6 miles); Elevation Gain: 609 m (2000 ft) On day 2 we turn west from Merom

Golan, passing the Odem forest as we ascend northward toward the Druze villages of Mas’adeh and Majdel Shams, heading toward Israel’s highest point, Mt. Hermon. There riders will have the opportunity to climb its peak (about a 700 m [2300 ft]-climb). From there we turn south and then west passing Neve Ativ with a bird’s eye-view of Nimrod’s Fortress. As we make our way out of the Golan and into the Upper Galil, our descent will provide a sense of the geology of the once-volcanic Heights as well as the tributaries of the Jordan River. As we ride further south, we are treated to a scenic view of the Galil. We will continue south toward the Hula Valley, where we will stop to experience the modern bird sanctuary at Agmon HaHula (Hula pond) and ride its dedicated bike paths. From there we will cycle north to the kibbutz at Kfar Giladi . Riders wishing to be transported to the kibbutz (the Shoafim will have covered 46.6 miles at this point) will have that option.

Option to take bus from Agmon Hula to K’far Giladi

Start: Merom Golan

Finish: K’far Giladi

Option to climb Mt. Meron

Day 3Bogrim Option – Distance: 78 km (48.5 miles); Elevation Gain: 2283 m

(7490 ft)

Shoafim Option – Distance: 43.6 km 27 miles); Elevation Gain: 1315 m (4315 ft)

Finish: Ma’alot

Start: K’far GiladiOn day 3 we cycle the steep ridges of Ramot Naftali and experience the beauty of the area first hand, as we ride first southward and then westward along the border—sometimes for long stretches of plateaus, and sometimes through rolling hills. Our ride through the Galil brings us to the Yesha Fortress for a break, and then on to the 2nd Century CE synagogue at Baram, where we break for a physical lunch). After lunch, we cycle toward Kibbutz Sasa and then to the moderate (but nevertheless long) climb to our second highest peak— Mt Meron (3963 ft). As the day unwinds, we descend to the Druze village of Horfesh and then to the Hosen Junction before arriving at our hotel in Maalot.

Day 4 (morning)

Distance: 43 km, (26.7 miles); Elevation Gain: 1115 m (3650 ft)

Lunch: Kibbutz Hannaton

Start: Ma’alot

On day 4 we descend from the Upper to the Lower Galil (blue trail). Traveling southeast, we are treated to views of the Mediterranean Sea and of Haifa to the west, the Kinneret Sea and the Golan Heights to the east, and Mt. Tabor to the south. After we cross the Karmiel Junction, we continue to the Yuvalim Junction and climb along the ridges of Yodfat toward Kibbutz Hannaton. Following lunch and a meeting with members of the reestablished Masorti community there, we will take the bus to Tiberias Ilit (Upper Tiberias). There we will receive mountain bikes and cycle down the path of the Israel National Trail and the brand new “Kinneret View” trail, following the Jordan River down to the Lower Galil in Bet Zera/Naharayim.

Day 4 (afternoon off-road trip)

Distance: 23 km (14 miles); Elevation Gain: 245 m (804 ft);)

After lunch at Hanaton we will drive to the Kinneret where we will receive mountain bikes and cycle down the path of the Israel National Trail and the brand new “Kinneret View” trail, following the Jordan River down to the Lower Galil in Bet Zera/Naharayim. From there we will cycle to Tiberias along the Kinneret. Riders wishing to be transported from Bet Zera/Naharayim to Tiberias, rather than cycling (we will have covered about 40 miles at this point) will have that option.

Day 5: Circling the GalileeBogrim Option – Distance: 83 km (52 miles); Elevation Gain: 1626 m

(5335 ft)

Shoafim Option – Distance: 61 km (37.9 miles); Elevation Gain: 307 m (1007 ft)

Start & Finish: Tiberias (clockwise around Galilee)

Option to climb back intoGolan Heights or continueto circle the Kinneret

On our final day, we circle the Kinneret heading north from Tiberias along the lake, passing the majestic cliff of Mt. Arbel. At the top of the Kinneret we turn east toward the Golan, passing Kfar Nahum, (also known as Capernaum) and several sites referred to in the New Testament. We continue south until reaching the Kursi junction, where riders may turn east for a final climb in the Golan, or continue to circle the Kinneret. The group will re-unite at the South of the Kinneret we’ll make our way back to Tiberias, take a shower, and reflect on a ride well done.

Group reunites for final ride to Tiberias.