Bikepacking Israel
Golan Heights Region
Overview of Tourism in the Golan Heights
Tourism in the Golan Heights is characterized by its unique alternative offerings, distinct from other regions in Israel. Local tourism is primarily based on rural experiences, including accommodations such as guesthouses, cabins, caravansaries, and local glamping sites.
From a culinary perspective, the area relies heavily on local agriculture, featuring boutique wineries, meat restaurants, and pick-your-own farms. Popular tourist activities include nature walks along flowing streams, visits to scenic viewpoints overlooking the Golan Heights and Syria, and activities such as cycling, horseback riding, hiking, and motorized tours (e.g., ATVs and jeep excursions).
Attractions Development Plan for the Golan
The main sector for development in the Golan is cycling, alongside the introduction of Ironman/marathon events, bike races, and the enhancement of Israeli heritage sites (e.g., military outposts from the Six-Day War).
Linear Cycling Trails Across the Golan
Non-circular cycling trails can be established across the Golan, supported by shuttle services and bike transport, as proposed for Mount Hermon and Manara. These trails can include stops at local wineries, heritage sites, restaurants, and other attractions.
Establishment of a Bike Park in Southern Golan
To advance cycling tourism, a large bike park spanning 100 dunams will be developed in the southern Golan on designated tourism land. This park will cater to all skill levels and include:
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A cycling club to manage training sessions, host local and national competitions, and organize rider groups.
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Food stalls, seating areas, pubs, restaurants, and bike shops with repair services.
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Caravan and glamping areas to accommodate organized groups staying for multiple days of training or intensive workshops.
The bike park will collaborate with nearby attractions and lodging options, ensuring that tourists who visit the park also enjoy a full vacation in the Golan, staying at local guesthouses, dining at local restaurants, and supporting the entire regional tourism ecosystem.
Organization of Cycling Trails – Single Tracks
The Golan currently has over 4,000 km of potential cycling trails that do not traverse military zones and are open for use. By systematically organizing these trails, addressing safety concerns, and ensuring maintenance, these paths can be made accessible to the general public.
Each major starting point will feature maps detailing the trails, difficulty levels, distances, and emergency contact numbers.
Odem Forest – A Northern Golan Attractions Hub
To centralize cycling routes and ensure easy access, Odem Forest will be adapted as a major visitor hub. On weekends and holidays, the forest will host tourism fairs, including food stalls, family-friendly activities like archery, bike rentals, horseback riding, and motorized vehicle rentals.
Israeli Heritage Sites in the Golan
The Golan Heights is home to several national heritage sites that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, especially school groups on pre-military tours. Prominent sites include:
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Mount Avital and Mount Bental with the ancient Syrian outpost
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The memorial to the fallen of Unit 7 (Palsar 7)
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The Valley of Tears Memorial
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The Golani Ascent to Mount Hermon
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Tel Saki
Combining sports activities with heritage tours, supported by the Ministry of Education, can strengthen national identity and enrich the visitor experience.
Planning Major Sports Events
The Golan's topography, characterized by long flat stretches interspersed with mountains, provides ideal conditions for long-distance running, cycling, and combined events. The gradual ascent from southern Golan (350 meters above sea level) to the northern Golan (1,200 meters) features an elevation gain of 10–15 meters per kilometer, creating optimal conditions for marathons and bike races from Ein Gev to Mount Hermon and vice versa.
Additional events could include swimming competitions in Birkat Ram in northern Golan, Ironman races, and Spartan races with obstacle courses integrated into the competition. The region's vast plains and gentle inclines are perfect for such events.
Development of Odem Forest as a Visitor Hub
Centralized facilities will include:
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Cycling Trails: Easy access to marked trails with varying difficulty levels.
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Tourism Fairs: Food stalls, family-friendly activities, and equipment rentals.
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Centralized Heritage Tours: Collaboration with educational institutions and tour operators.
Integration with Local Businesses
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Combining attractions with local heritage and culinary experiences will enhance the region’s appeal. Visitors can enjoy tastings at local wineries, historical tours, and unique dining options, all seamlessly integrated into cycling routes.
Utilizing Mount Hermon’s Tourism Potential
Mount Hermon, Israel's only ski site, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors during its short winter season but sees a steep decline in the off-season. To leverage its potential:
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Cycling trails will be created, descending from the summit to the valley, including both road and downhill/enduro trails.
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A lower parking lot will serve as the starting point, with shuttles transporting tourists and their bikes to the summit.
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Stops along the way will include sites such as Nimrod Fortress, local Druze restaurants in Majdal Shams, and scenic viewpoints like Saar Falls.
The fee will include site access, such as to Nimrod Fortress, along with vouchers for local dining and attractions, ensuring a seamless experience.
Kinneret Region
Manara
Restart North
Construction of a Tourism Complex in Rosh Pina / Hatzor HaGlilit
A significant challenge in the north is the lack of a closed venue for winter performances, exhibitions, and conferences. This initiative will include:
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A multi-purpose venue for events, cinema halls, and dining areas.
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Interactive spaces for group activities, including cutting-edge AR, VR, and OR technologies.
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Additional attractions such as ninja courses and sports activities.