Not for Sale! (Nature and Off-Road Around Zichron Yaacov)

The most beautiful real-estate in Israel is located here, in the areas of Zichron Yaacov and Binyamina. Many institutions are responsible for its maintenance, preservation, development and future planning: Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (Jewish National Fund), Nature and Gardens Authority, Rothschild's Fund, the local committee Shomron for planning and construction, local authorities of Zichron Yaacov, Binyamina - Givat-Ada, Hof Hacarmel and others. This real-estate encompasses hundreds of thousands of square kilometers worth billions of dollars. No, this real-estate is not for sale, and this is a good thing. This is our real-estate, the public's, and it is here for our use and pleasure and for generations to come. This list review's the finest real-estate in Israel - the nature around us. Carmel Park, Horshan Mountain, Alona nature reserve, Ramot Menashe, are all here, in our environment.

We were blessed with an amazing location. We are located on the southern end of the Carmel range across from the sea. Here is some background - The Carmel range in Israel has a unique form. It's structure vaguely resembles a Hamantasch ("Ozen-Haman") with three corners: to the west, Stella Maris (The statue of virgin Mary) in Haifa above the cave of Eliyahu. To the east, Keren Hacarmel (Muhraka), a sacred place for Jews, Christians and Druses in which, according to tradition, Prohpet Eliyahu proved the people that he is a true prophet and that the Ba'al Prophets are false ones. To the south, "the nose of the Carmel", the range ends in the southern parts of Zichron Taacov, east from the railway crossing in the "old" Tel-Aviv Haifa highway (route 4). From Zichron Yaacov it's possible to see all three corners of the Carmel if we climb on one of the high palm trees in the yard of Beit Aharonson. Two corners can be seen from many places in Zichron Yaacov, even without having to climb trees.

Carmel Park

Carmel Park encompasses hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, and is one of the largest parks in Israel. Its relative closeness to dense areas of population makes it accessible to many people - but we are sitting right in front of its entrance, and can visit it at any time, even for a number of hours. The park has numerous natural attraction, and we can only name but a few: Nof Carmel path, created by the Jewish Fund - a 25 km route passing through the Muhraka, appropriate for all types of vehicles, offering spectacular views of Jezreel Valley and the Galilee Mountains. Along the road there are many parking areas for picnics. Carmel Hai-Bar (Wildlife reserve), a zoological reserve which is home for the wild lamb, wild goat and fallow deer, among others, when the goal is to release these animals to their natural habitats in the area (entry fee required). Caves' stream reserve (access by car from route 4), is a natural reserve illustrating the lives of the Carmel ancient human residents with an audiovisual presentation, in the caves where they used to live (entry fee required). Ofer Observatory is a parking area and bird-watching point, about one km north-east of Ofer junction on route 4. The parking area includes a fire observation tower built by the Jewish fund, which offers a spectacular view of the local forests and the coastal plain (tower entry is forbidden!). At the foot of the tower there are a number of picnic parking areas and paths leading to the caves' stream. "Shviley Ron" parking lot in Hurbat Kabir, located north-west of Kerem Maharal, is a parking area commemorating Aviel, Anat and Ofer Ron, who were murdered on March 2002 in the "Matza" restaurant suicide bombing. Around the parking area there's a circular path for hiking on foot. In addition, the area is filled with bicycle rods. The site is equipped with picnic tables and recreational facilities suitable for handicapped individuals.

Shokef Mountain

Shokef Mountain is 4000 square kilometers of green areas and Mediterranean forest, and abandoned agricultural areas completing the Carmel Park. The national park spreads around Shokef mountain and Bikat Alon as well. Shokef-Mountain, Altitude 497 m, is one of the highest mountains in the middle Carmel, surrounded by Mediterranean green areas and forests. In Bikat Alon, at the foot of the mountain layers of volcanic tuff are revealed. The valley's lands were processed by residents of Dalyat El-Carmel and Osafiya in the past, and were abandoned in the last few years. In addition, various Geophytes grow in the area, including אירוס הסרגל, צבעוני ההרים, רומוליאנה צידונית, סייפן התבואה and types of orchids.

The national park includes several blocs of Shokef Mountain and Bikat Alon, 2 km west of Dalyat El-Carmel. Israel National Trail climbs to Shokef Mountain (congruent with the 4162 black trail), and descends to Horbat Rakit (congruent with the 4164 red trail). The 4151 green trail crosses Bikat Alon, from Heik Stream to Kdumim quarry. In addition, trail 4161 red starts in Dalyat El-Carmel to the top of Shokef Mountain, and continues to Horbat Rakit. It's also possible to use green trail 4165 from the Carmel forests or 4163 blue from Ein Alon.

Kerem Maharal Tuff reserve

220 square kilometers (not including the proposed expansion) of exposed volcanic tuff. The heart of the reserve is a black volcanic tuff region with many calcite arteries. The tuff is a few dozen meters deep, and apparently came from the mouth of an ancient underwater volcano created during the Canomene era (apparently the mouth of the volcano surfaced during its peak activity). The mountain's top part has been broken by sea waves, and sedimentation rocks were layered on top (mostly chalk). Over the headless volcano a reef developed in shallow water. Erosion activity unraveled the tuff layer currently visible on site.

The site is low in vegetation, but on its outskirts there are ancient olive plantations, and spots of common carob and Pistacia (mastic tree) (in the chalk areas around the exposed tuff), and a prominent concentration of asphodel. The reservation's expansion includes additional areas in Bikat Shir, now used as grazing grounds with spring time blossoms of mountain lupine. In addition, the expansion includes the chalk precipices over the unique tuff exposure. These precipices contain a fossil coral reef that developed in the shallow water covering the volcano. Near, but still out of the current boundaries of the reserve, a varied tuff exposure exists - in an abandoned quarry on the edges of Ofer forest. The reserve spreads on the lower parts of the Carmel, west of Kerem Maharal. It's possible to reach the reserve from inside the settlement. The black tuff exposure area is delicate and paths were not created for hiking, nor it is designed for hiking. Blue trail 4286 (from Shviley Ron parking area to Horbat Kabir) passes on the northern edges of the reserve - but doesn't offer a view on the black tuff exposure. It's possible to see the reserve from the green trail 4276, branching from route 7021, 2 km east of Ofer junction on route 4. The road itself leads to Hof Hacarmel forests and Ofer observatory. A different varied tuff exposure which is not located in the reserve can be send in the beginning of this path.

Shimry Stream reserve

Shimry stream is a proposed reserve in an area of tuff exposures and ancient olive plantations. Shimry stream is a short one (6 km in length), providing drainage for Moshav Ofer and Kerem Maharal. The stram begins in an area of impressive exposures of yellow tuff. This fertile soil also inhibits an ancient vineyard of olives that was used in the past by the abandoned village of Ein-Azal. The vineyard has great aesthetical value, and it is currently the largest one in the Carmel region. Shimry stream passes through the center of it. The stream and its banks inhibit Mediterranean vegetation, such as אלון מצוי, אלה א"י, לבנה רפואי, חרוב מצוי ומטפסים שונים - קיסוסית קוצנית, זלזלת הקנוקנות, פואה מצוייה ואחרים. The ridge has caves which include the "bell" cave. Upstream there is a seasonal (unmarked) spring, and near it סבך עבקנה ופטל. Leafy plants include a high concentration of red cassidony. The reserve is located west of the access route to Moshav Ofer. Israel National Trail crosses the reserve, along with a Jeep road labeled black.

Neve Yam Beach Reserve

1,155 square kilometers (302 on land and 853 in the sea) of a (proposed) reserve, a gravel strip of beach rich in abrasion tables, including underwater caves and crevises and even a number of small islands, most prominent of which are Salt Island and Octopus Island.

The beach's rear end was severely impaired by intensive development, and natural vegetation survived only in small areas, including חרחבינה חופית, דרדר נמוך (לשעבר חופית נמוכה), חבצלת החוף and others. The reserve streches on the coastal strip between Octopus Island (across from Kibbutz Neve Yam) and Salt Island (south of Atlit Fort).

Atlit Nature Reserve

148 square kilometers - this reserve has many Mediterranean vegetation elements that probably characterized the area in the past. In most parts of the reserve a dense garigue exists, mostly of חרוב מצוי and אלת המסטיק, and additional species such as בר-זית בינוני, קידה שעירה, מרווה משולשת, שקד מצוי, זית אירופי and such. There are also a number of shrubs such as קורנית מקורקפת and בלוטת הסלעים. Of geophytes there are large concentrations Squill (mostly in the north eastern part of the reserve near Mikbatz Agavot, probably the remains of an abandoned cemetery), עירית גדולה, צבעוני ההרים, סתוונית היורה, נרקיס מצוי and more.

In the northern border Caves Stream crosses the gravel ridge in a quarried space about 2.5 meter deep. This is an ancient passage designed to drain swamp areas east of the gravel ridge towards the sea. At the bottom of the quarried passage a narrower canal is carved in order to increase water flow and prevent the passageway from being blocked by sediment. On the passageway walls there are cliff plants such as מציץ סורי and on the plains grows צורית גבוהה. Downstream you can find moist habitat vegetation, including אשד, לכיד וחוח עקוד trees. In one of the stream's channels there is a pool populated by swamp turtles. The reserve stretches near and east of route 2, south of Caves Stream's channel. A good dirt road leaves route 7110 in Atlit's southern border, crosses the shoreline highway on a bridge and passes along the eastern border of the reserve. This road can also be accessed through Kibbutz Ein Carmel.

Dor-Habonim Beach Reserve

On the foot of the Carmel we have this unique nature reserve right on the beach. Inlets, natural "water fountains", gravel hills and unique and rare seashore vegetation surviving due to their ability to survive the water spray saltiness and wind drafts which are often intense. The reserve includes walking paths and a bathing beach. The paths can be used to reach Clam Bay, the Blue Cave and Love Bay on foot (entry fee required to enter the reserve).

Drachmon Ruins Reserve

The 285 square kilometers of Drachmon Ruin reserve, represent the gravel views of Hof Hacarmel. The reserve has 3 adjacent blocs. The reserve's area stretches on Hof Hacarmel's second gravel ridge. It is relatively rich in chalk, and the gravel in it is firm, using quarries in ancient periods. The ridge's view is rich in ancient quarries and burial caves (nicer caves can be seen on route 7011 when crossing the ridge). Vegetation is diverse, including a garigue of אלת המסטיק, אשחר א"י, חרוב מצוי, קורנית מקורקפת, שיזף השיח and more. The area also has many geophytes, including concentrations of חצבים, עירית גדולה and נרקיס אפיל - a rare species common in the Carmel and its Seashore. An additional prominent plant is עדעד כחול growing on the ridge. In the ancient quarry cliff vegetation exists. In the eastern border of the ridge a group of שיטה מלבינה trees grows - the only speciments in the Carmel region and seashore. The reserve is close and east of route 2, north of local route 7011 to settlements Dor and Nachsholim. A dirt road leading to Moshav Dor's cemetery leaves route 7011 and passes the reserve's eastern border. In the beginning, the road is appropriate for any vehicle, and later it is only passable via ORV. The reserve is surrounded by a cattle fence and has no marked paths, so it is actually closed for visitors.

Timsah Pool Reserve

more up soon...