The Bental Reservoir is a huge water reservoir in the northern Golan Heights that is filled throughout the year with water stored from the winter floods. At the end of the reservoir there are two pipes that flow clean water into it – in one cold water and in the second hot ones (which come from drilling in the Hula Valley area). The combination of the different flows from the two pipes creates a beautiful stream, amazing wading pools and small ponds that are fun to sit in.
The flow from both pipes – although not constant – produces a pleasant temperature for bathing (even during the winter) and allows you to sit in the small pools – just below the pipes – or take a dip in one of the pools formed along the flowing stream. It is recommended not to enter the large load reservoir because the water in it is cold, and there are rumors that it is not suitable for bathing either.
Note that the water from the pipes do not flow regularly, so the temperature in the pool is not constant. In addition, the water pool which is directly under the hot water pipe is relatively small, and therefore suitable for a small number of bathers – try not to arrive there during rush hours, holidays and vacations.
The lake of the Bental Reservoir itself is surrounded by natural grass and greenery all around, and on the horizon overlook the wind turbines of the HaBakha Valley (known as “The Valley of Tears”, see more on this below) and Mount Bental from the south. If you arrive in the spring, you can enjoy a festive bloom of blue lupines, safflowers and all the other wonders of the basaltic landscape of the Golan Heights.
Pleasant flowing water? check. Pastoral green landscape? check. What more do we need?
The Valley of Tears (Emek HaBakha) is the name given to an area in the Golan Heights after it became the site of a major battle in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, known as the Valley (or Vale) of Tears Battle, which was fought from 6 October to 9 October. Although massively outnumbered, the Israeli forces managed to hold their positions and on the fourth day of the battle the Syrian army withdrew, just as the Israeli defenses were almost at the point of collapse.
Personally, I got to see the place a few times. For the first time, around 10:00 in the morning, the hot water pipe did not work so the water in the paddling pool was too cold for a dip. The second time we made a longer stop at the place, so we enjoyed a larger time frame that improved the chances of catching the hot water stream – and indeed we did! The water was warm but not boiling, and bathing in the pool was definitely pleasant.
How to Get There
In Waze: “Bental Reservoir”.
Upon arrival at the point, turn right (east) into the parking lot – a dirt plaza next to Road 959, near the reservoir. The pools are about 50 meters from the parking lot.
Suitable for all seasons, especially recommended on cool days or in the evening.
Observation on the Bental Reservoir
For those who do not want to wade and prefer to observe, in Kibbutz Merom Golan (located at the foot of Mount Bental) there is a wonderful vantage point overlooking the reservoir. There, you can enjoy a garden overlooking the reservoir and wind turbines on the horizon, with comfortable picnic tables (suitable for outdoor cooking), romantic benches, sculptures and swings – in a location that is becoming increasingly popular for Instagram photos and exciting marriage proposals.
There is also an old tractor statue and it seems that children really enjoy climbing it, so the place is also recommended for families. Keep in mind that the road to the garden is not paved – on rainy days when there is mud it will not be accessible to baby strollers.
To get to the place you have to put in Waze “Bental Reservoir Observation”. Or in words: enter Kibbutz Merom Golan, continue with the main road through a small bend to the right, at the first T-junction turn left and then right.
Did you know? In the Golan Heights, there are five large reservoirs that store the floodwater for agricultural use after the rainy season.