Endless tracks in a setting of wild cliffs, lush vegetation of forests and woods, magnificent views of valleys and peaks, with the backdrop of the sea. Mount Carmel has been known since antiquity as a symbol of beauty, it is now also recognized as a cyclists paradise !
It is Israel's largest national park covering an area of about 21,000 acres.
A third of the park is a Nature Reserve.
The highest peak is 546m above sea level.
The slopes to the west and sea are gradual, to the east very sharp.
The area receives a higher average of rainfall than any other in Israel. The climate, geographical structure, and the soil, ensures the park is 'evergreen' all the year round.
The park contains some of the earliest evidence of pre-biking man in the region and within its boundaries are two small Druze towns.
Access to the park is from four
directions:
Atlit in the west, Elyaqim in the south, Haifa (University)
in the North, Nesher in the east. Park Information Points are located at
all the entrances except for
Nesher.
1. Short Family and Beginners
Route.
This route has been
laid out by the park authorities and is ideal for family and beginners with
the Hai Bar Nature Reserve as the major
attraction. The route is paved, even has cycle signs, and never wanders far
away from civilisation and rescue !
Start/Finish:
Information Point
opposite the
University.
Distance: 7 kms
Tracks: Paved
Difficulty: Leisurely
Route leaflet available from park Information Point.
2. Panorama Track -
Intermediate Route
This
beautiful track is wide, graveled, and non- demanding technically but with
some moderate climbs. It passes along Mount Carmel's eastern slopes above
the Kishon Valley with some wonderful views onwards to the Zebulun and
Jezreel Valleys too. It is an end-to end route, but can be made shorter and
circular at several points by cutting up to the main spinal road of the
Carmel. The main attraction on the trail is the Carmelite Monastery
(Muhrakah) where according to tradition Prophet Elijah fought the Prophets
of Baal.
Trail Start:
Half way down Road #7212 (Nesher Road)Trail Finish:
On road #672, 3km from Elyakim junction to the south.Length: 25kms
Ride Duration:
About 3 hoursWater:
At picnic sites along the route.Track Surface:
Gravelled, cut-up and stony in some places.
3. CMBC Epic Permanent Trail - Advanced Route
This is the trail that combines some of the best riding to be found on the Carmel put together by members of CMBC after many years of painstaking research. The route has every challenge and thrill that the experienced biker seeks in a setting of unparalleled beauty. There is a fabulous combination of trail types, including single track, forest roads, and even an adventure section with wooden logs ! Nobody will finish this without knowing man and machine have been pushed to the limits ! The route is actually marked in many places including the Israel National Trail and the Famous Red Single Track from Har Shokef.
This is the Classic Epic Route of the Carmel, perhaps of Israel itself, and can be the basis of future national eventsStart/Finish: Park Information Point opposite the University.
Length (basic route): 26kms, (with extension) 36kms.
Duration: 4 - 5 hours, without extension.
Track Surfaces: Everything, except soft sand !
Difficulty: Strenuous (with Har Shokef extension)
Moderate (shorter route, without Har Shokef)
Water: Available throughout the course (riders to take 2L, minimum).
Take a virtual ride on the epic course and discover it's delights, Just drag the mouse around the red line !
4.The Israel Bike Trail and the National Park
The end-to-end off-road cycling route, The Israel Bike Trail, crosses Mount Carmel National Park from Nesher in the north-east, south to Zichron Ya'acov. The route can be adapted and ridden individually, the main section being from Beit Oren to Zichron Ya'acov, or the final part of Harduf to Beit Oren. The trail combines the major sites in the park with the best riding, many of the tracks being marked.
The Carmel Fires
The forest fires of October 1998 were devastating to certain areas of the park, and it will take many years until the vegetation recovers to its former state. The main areas of destruction around Denya and Ein Hod can be easily accessed by bikes. The trails are unaffected but have been significantly changed in character, a ride on them is a sad but enlightening experience, a testament to the fragility and renewal of nature.
These scenes were taken two weeks after the fire on a CMBC ride in Nahal Heglon near Ein Hod
So come and discover our wonderful park and ,of course, please take care to preserve it. CMBC supports the efforts not to damage the vegetation by cycling off-track, litter, or lighting fires in undesignated places. Then those that come after you will enjoy the unspoilt beauty as nature intended.
Little Switzerland awaits your wheels...................
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Webmaster: Jonathan Lipman
