Welcome to the spectacular and relatively easy itinerary of the lower Nahal Zavitan! Nahal Zvitan, with its spectacular views, offers you an amazing experience that ends with a waterfall with a huge water pool.
We started this itinerary after we had already done a trail in the morningat the Majrasa River, which is really not far from the area, but we enjoyed the hike in the water so much and the charming Majrasa was relatively short for us – we wanted more and so we reached the route of the lower Zavitan River.
There are several trails in the area and no matter which route you choose, it is very important to prepare yourself for an adventure in nature in the right way. To ensure a safe and pleasant trip, you need enough drinking water for the whole group – at least 3 litres each. Also, do not forget a hat and wear comfortable shoes suitable for field trips with good support for the feet. Of course, don’t forget to use SPF to protect your skin from the strong sun.
Since there are areas with mines in the Golan Heights, it is very important to stay on the marked paths and not cross fences. An up-to-date trail marking map is an essential tool for a safe and enjoyable nature walk, so it is highly recommended to prepare one for a group with markings of the marked areas – or at least prepare in advance with a map of the nature reserve and gardens. With all the right equipment, you are invited to enjoy the beautiful and spectacular nature of the Golan Heights perfectly and safely.
There are several hiking trails to Nahal Zavitan Lower
There are at least 3 routes to reach the stunning waterfall of Nahal Zvitan, but since we arrived at the nature reserve relatively late and too close to closing time of the area, we were left with only one choice for our hiking route. We passed through a Nature and Parks Authority information point, got a map of the area, filled our water bottles and set off.
Our route was wired (non-circular, Back and forth), 6 kilometers, and it took us about 40 minutes to walk each way (walking in a fun way).
The entrance to the reserve closes two hours before the listed closing time (at 15:00 the last entrance to the trail, which is up to a two-hour walk, on holiday eves and Fridays – an hour earlier)
- Daylight Saving Time: Sunday-Thursday and Saturday: 7:00-17:00 | Friday and holiday eve: 7:00-16:00
- Winter Time: Sunday-Thursday and Saturday: 8:00-16:00 | Friday and holiday eve: 8:00-15:00
- On Rosh Hashanah Eve, Yom Kippur Eve and Passover Eve: 8:00-13:00
Entrance fees: Adult: 22 NIS | Child: 10 ₪ | Senior Citizen: 11 NIS
1. Start at Yehudiya parking lot
Drive with the car 5 minutes from the entry point of the Nature and Parks Authority and park in a dirt parking lot – “Yehudia parking lot” near the community of Had Nes. We take all our belongings with us and proceed towards the beginning of the trail to the path marked in green.
Our route passes through the amazing Yehudia Forest, which covers a huge area of 30,000 dunams. The entire area of Yehudia is a basaltic plateau located 200 meters above sea level. The vegetation you can find in the area – Atlantic goddess trees, common sheizatz, oak trees. In winter and spring you can find blooms of Cyclamen, Anemone, Golan Urus and more.
2. At the intersection of paths – we will turn to the route marked in red
After a kilometer and a half, we will meet at an intersection of paths – green and red and continue with the red route from there until we pass a fence that prevents the passage of sheep and cattle in the area. There we will continue for 800 meters until we reach a stunning observation point overlooking the entire area of Nahal Zvitan.
By the way, this whole area is full of sweet sheep and cattle animals that make sure to nibble well on the grass in the Yehudia forest and thus prevent the spread of fires in the area.
Actually, so far this is the “tough” part of the route, not because of its nature but because this part is exposed to the sun (even a little reminiscent of a desert road) and at the time we were there it was very hot.
3. Another trail junction – we will turn to the black route
After continuing a bit of walking from the high view of the stream, we will reach another trail junction and choose the route marked in black where we will turn left on a steep and slow path down to the bed of the Zavitan River.
After reaching the bottom – we reached the first pool of Nahal Zvitan.
4. The first waterfall in Nahal Zavitan
Right before we get to the big pool of Zavitan we will pass by a small waterfall with a stunning pool in front of it – a mesmerizing place but wait a little longer! A little more and you reach the large pool of the stream. Stick to the wall of the left pool and use gradients to walk along the wall to the edge of the pool.
5. The pool and the stunning waterfall of Nahal Zavitan
After walking close to the stream channel (about a kilometer – not much) you will reach the spectacular waterfall of Zavitan with a huge freshwater and cool pool underneath it. Excellent place for a stop, a pakal coffee and a little rest.
From here there are two options – either return the same way you came or continue a little longer (a few more minutes) with the trail marked in red to Ein Nataf – a spring that springs out of the cliff itself and drips in thin streams down.
A few final words in conclusion
The hiking route of the lower angle is recommended for any hiking enthusiast of medium level and above. This is not a trip suitable for children who are not used to traveling but definitely recommended for anyone. I recommend consulting in advance with the people of the Nature and Parks Authority at the starting point of Yehudia Reserve, there are changes in routes and roads from time to time and not always all routes are open.
