Etzba Cave Circuit at Carmel Mountains

Near Haifa
Israel

Total Time: 1:15
Estimated Distance: 1.4 miles

Pros: Nice climb, great views, interesting cave
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/y3JvaWzQ2n4zjoHAA

Hiking Partner:
Avigael Friedman

I was in Israel for a short trip and was near the Carmel Mountain range near Haifa and found a nice hike with a cave. The Carmel range is a limestone ridge not far from the ocean, and offering ocean views and really nice scenery. The pocked limestone is full of caves, and the cave we visited on the hike, the Etzba Cave (or Finger Cave translated in English) is a deep cave that you need a flashlight to fully explore.

We parked the car on Route 721 at the base of the mountain at the Nachal Bustan park. We took the trail up the steep steps to the cave, and then entered the cave and went deep in. I purchased a flashlight earlier in the day in order to properly explore the cave. We went to the point where it gets very narrow and I no longer felt comfortable going further, despite seeing light on the other end in the distance.

We then went back out the cave along the same way, and continued ascending. There is a great view to the east facing the Mediterranean, with banana farms across the coastal plain stretching for miles. We continued along the trail to the split, and then took the loop route back to our car.

Ascedning the Trail to the Cave

View of the Valley Below

Opening of the Etzba Cave

Inside the Cave

Ascending the Mountain after the Cave

View of Banana in Bags Along the Coastal Plain

Near the top of the Mountain

On the Descent

Twins Cave Wadi Dolev

Nachal Dolev Reserve
Near Bet Shemesh
Israel

Hiking Trails:
Twins Cave (Hateumim) Trail

Total Time: 1:05
Estimated Distance: 1.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic area, fascinating cave
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BKHsPv5j27WUfb3x8

Hiking Partner:
Judah Friedman

Back in November I made a trip to Israel and went to the Twins Cave (Maareh HaTeumim) near Bet Shemesh in the Nachal Dolev (Wadi Dolev) Reserve. The cave was closed for the wintering of the bats and we couldn't explore. Now in the summer the cave was open and we were able to explore the cave. We took the the Twins Cave (Hateumim) Trail to the cave, and went in the path in the cave to the end.

It's a large wild cave with stalagmites and stalactites, and is completely dark so a flashlight is needed. There were lots of bats present sleeping on the ceiling and they were making squeaking sounds. After exploring the cave and leaving, we headed back along the same route back to the trailhead.

Wild Gazelle Near the Trailhead

Information Plaques at the Trailhead

Hiking Trail

Entrance to the Cave

Fig Tree Growing Out of the Cave

Sign in the Cave

Inside the Cave

On the Way Back

Banias Waterfall and Hanging Trail

Hermon Stream (Banias) Nature Reserve Nature Reserve
Golan Heights
Israel

Hiking Trails:
Banias Waterfall Trail
Hanging Trail

Total Time: 0:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.2 Miles

Pros: Strong and Scenic Waterfall
Cons: Parking Fee, Busy Area
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/XejDuXQLhParVWgZ6

On my trip to Northern Israel, we stayed at She'ar Yashuv and went nearby to the Banias Waterfall. We parked in the parking lot and took the trail down into the gorge and then headed to the falls. We then took the bridge across the brook to the eastern view above the falls, and then turned around and took the same return bridge. We then continued along the loop, and took the Hanging Trail through the gorge, and then up and out and back to the parking area.

Satellite View of the Route

View from the Beginning of the Hike

Descending to the Stream

Banias Waterfall

Lush Greenery in the Valley

Steps up to the View

View of the Waterfalls from Above

Narrow Gorge from the Hanging Trail

View from Above the Gorge

Rock Hyrax