Lavi Forest is a large pine forest that covers the basalt slopes east of the Golani Interchange, in the direction of Givat Avni. The forest has several trails suitable for the whole family, a large campground with plenty of picnic tables, a playground for children, toilets and water taps, and two smaller campgrounds. During the winter and early spring, the forest is green and filled with primroses.
Lavi Forest covers about 3,000 dunams. North of the forest rises Horns of Hattin, where a famous battle was fought in which Muslim forces under Saladin defeated the Crusader army, and marked the beginning of the decline of the Crusader Empire in Israel.
In the area of the forest remains the (fenced) cemetery of the Arab village of Lubia, which was abandoned during the War of Independence, with a stone structure covered by a dome. According to Druze tradition, Abu al-Dara Jushan and Abu al-Laka Thabet, two of the propagandists of the 11th century, were buried at the site. In the forest, there is a “field and forest center” – an educational center where JNF activities for youth take place.
Lavi Forest – History
Lavi Forest bears the name of the Jewish settlement of Lubya, which existed during the Mishnah and Talmudic periods in the place where the forest is today (about half a kilometer west of the outskirts of Givat Avni). The Talmud mentions several times a road inn that operated in Lubya and served the passers-by on the way from Acre to Tiberias, called the “Deluya Inn”.
Later, the Arab village of Lubia was built on the site, preserving the sound of the name of the ancient Hebrew settlement. At the beginning of the War of Independence, the villagers harassed the locals passing by on their way to Tiberias, and in February 1948, two passengers of a convoy passing were killed after an Arab attack. The road that passed through the forest was then abandoned, and the Jewish voyages to Tiberias were conducted through Yavneel and the Sea of Galilee.
In June 1948, the “Dror” battalion of the Golani Brigade tried to conquer the village of Lubia but failed in its mission (losing 21 fighters). Towards the end of the war, the villagers abandoned the place, and in July 1948 it was occupied without a battle, and the historic road to Tiberias was reopened.
The Jewish National Fund began planting the forest in the 1950s and 1960s. Conifers were planted in the forest at the time, mainly Jerusalem pine and cypress, while in the lower places on the edge of the hills eucalyptus was also planted, along with plots of olive trees remaining of the Arab village.
Heavy snows in the area in the winter of 1992-1991 caused large damage to the various forest plots, along with various natural pests that plagued the area. All this caused the JNF to resume planting in the area, and indeed between 2013 and 2017 most of the damaged plots were renewed.
Campsites
Lavi Forest is a recommended destination for picnic lovers or families interested in hiking, mainly because it is very accessible to private vehicles and even buses (see detailed below) and contains a number of convenient campsites.
Lavi Campsite
The large and central campsite in the Lavi Forest includes picnic tables (some of which are wheelchair accessible), toilets, children’s playgrounds, a small amphitheater, and water taps, under the Tabor oak trees. About 100 meters north of the site, in front of Road 77, an impressive and dense carpet of cyclamen blooms in January-February.
Access to the campsite is done via the nearby gas station. From the station, drive about half a kilometer, turn right according to the signs directing to the Lavi campsite, drive about 100 meters more and turn immediately left to the parking lot.
Patrol Company 288 Campsite
A small campsite with a few picnic tables in the shade of Cypriot pine trees and rocks commemorating the fallen soldiers of company 288 during the War of Independence. At the campsite, there is a beautiful cyclamen carpet that blooms in January-February. To reach the site, continue on the access road to the Golani Museum, cross Road 77 in an underground passage and in the first traffic circle, turn right and continue driving for another 200 meters.
South Africa Campsite
A lovely campsite, nestled in a grove of pistachio trees that was planted at the site to test the tree’s suitability for the environment. The trees have grown tall and provide a wonderful shade to the site, where the JNF has set up seven picnic tables.
Trails
The small hiking trail at the site begins near the stone toilet building in the middle of the Lavi campsite (the main one among the campsites in the forest). From the building, turn left and walk with a moderate ascent on a dirt road, on both sides of which grow tall, thin pines alongside tall, green grass. At the appropriate time of year, as mentioned, we can see plenty of cyclamens, anemones, and sabra bushes. You can continue with this road and the ones that branch off from it to explore the surroundings, and then return the same way to the campsite and parking lot.
Getting to Lavi Forest
Lavi Forest is located east of the Golani Junction, and can be reached in several different ways:
- The main entrance for those coming from Afula, from the HaSolelim Interchange, and to the north is through the Delek gas station, about half a kilometer east of the Golani Interchange toward Tiberias (Route 77), on the access road to the Golani Museum. From the gas station, drive about half a kilometer in the direction of the museum, until it turns right into the Lavi campsite.
- For those coming from Tiberias (only with a private vehicle), you can enter the access road to Kibbutz Lavi and immediately turn left following the signs for the KKL-JNF planting center.
- The “Field and Forest Center” can be reached via Road 65 from the direction of Afula and turn about 1.4 km north of the entrance to Moshav Ilaniya.