Mount Hermon is the highest mountain in Israel (and in Syria) – and accordingly, it is really cold there. On the other hand, it should not deter us from visiting, we just need to make sure we dress properly! Keep reading to learn what to wear to Mount Hermon, the attractions on the mountain, and all the other things you need to know to make your visit there unforgettable.
Visiting Mount Hermon
Mount Hermon is located on the northeastern border of Israel and is on the southern end of the opposite Lebanon mountain range. The summit of the mountain is 2,814 meters above sea level and is located on the border between Syria and Lebanon, about 14 km northeast of the Israeli mountain outposts. The highest peak in Israel is a dome 2,236 meters above sea level, located west of the “Snow Observatory”. This place, Mitzpe Shlagim, as it is called in Hebrew, is actually a ski resort – which is located at an altitude of 2,224 meters above sea level.
On a normal day, the Hermon ski resort can accommodate about 12,000 visitors at a time. This is the maximum, and on snowy days when the site is especially popular, you should come prepared for some long queues, parking problems, and heavy traffic (about 300,000 people visit the site during the skiing season). On the other hand, on weekdays (when there is no snow) a visit to the area is particularly pleasant, and no traffic problems are expected.
In order to reach the entrance to the Hermon site, take Route number 98, which ascends from the direction of Kiryat Shmona and passes through Nimrod, Neve Ativ, Masade, Majdal Shams, and ends right at the entrance to the resort. At this point (called the “lower parking lot”) you can park your car in a huge parking lot from where you continue on shuttles (on behalf of the site) that collect visitors in an orderly manner and drive them up. On non-busy days (or if you arrive really early in the morning), you may be able to continue uphill with your private vehicle to the upper (smaller) car park.
Read Further: Mount Hermon in the Bible
What to wear to Mount Hermon
Keep in mind that the summit of the mountain is particularly high, which means that even if you think you are comfortable in the current weather at the bottom of the mountain, it does not necessarily indicate the feeling you will have at its summit, where a few degrees less are expected.
Accordingly, if we have to summarize the answer to “What to Wear to Mount Hermon” in a single word, we will say layers!
This is because the top of the mountain is colder than its bottom, and wearing layers will allow you to regulate your body heat to the environment. It is advisable to wear several layers of pants (e.g. Gortex) and a top (with a sweater and coat). Of course do not forget to bring a wool hat, thick gloves, and a thick scarf that will make it easier to deal with the cold that strikes the exposed skin.
In addition, if you come to visit the site during the snow season, it is advisable to wear thick boots or shoes alongside thick socks so that they do not allow the melting snow to penetrate and wet your feet. Accordingly, it is recommended to come with pants that do not get wet (and if so, dry easily), because as mentioned the melting snow is going to bother you quite a bit.
It is recommended to check the weather on the site (along with its updated opening hours) before arriving at the official Hermon website.
Attractions on the site
The Hermon site includes 13 ski trails that are active during the winter, and when the weather conditions allow it, you can ski on the site independently using your own ski and snowboard equipment. There is a green trail (school trail), 3 blue trails, 7 red, and 2 black ones. The site has a ski and snowboard school that has been operating for about 30 years and offers classes for all levels.
Along with skiing, the site offers a variety of other recreational options, such as “extreme” mountain sledding, a ride on the visitors’ cable car to the top of the mountain (the view is spectacular), children’s sledding (a facility that is also active during the summer), and a “Sky Rider” ride, a unique floating circular levitation attraction, first of its kind in Israel.
The site is open to hikers also during the summer, and you can visit the place, take the visitors’ cable car to the top of the mountain and participate in nature tours, battle heritage, and observations. During the summer, about 40,000 people visit the site.
Nearby
If you get hungry after all the attractions, you are welcome to visit the Druze village of Ein Kenia, which is located southwest of Mount Hermon and about 200 meters from Saar River and offers accommodation in the best Druze tradition.
If you have time left, it is very worthwhile to continue visiting Saar Waterfall – one of the most beautiful and popular waterfalls in the Golan, located next to the road to Mount Hermon and the northern Golan Heights. A campsite has been built next to the waterfall, and it offers short and long walking paths, reaching the “Shard Falls” and the Friendship Bridge, which are not far away.
To the southwest, we can find the famous Manara Cliff, with a variety of attractions suitable for the whole family. Extreme slides, a bungee doom trampoline, and a cliff train that offer tours along the Lebanese border.
And of course, some more nice trails that are in the area:
- First and foremost – is the famous Golan Trail. Recommended for those looking for a backpacking trip of a few days.
- Liked the waterfall? Here’s another one! see the dolmen trail and Gamla waterfall.
- And of course, you said the Golan Heights, you said springs! It is worth visiting the nearby Ein Mokesh or Ein Jones.