Mount Carmel Area, Haifa

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Yes Kaiser Wilhelm the II of Germany visited back in 1898, this was a new piece of history for me. The object of their visit was to see the "German Colony" which you can still see the remnants of at the base of Mount Carmel (below the BaHai Temple Gardens). Here at the top of Mount Carmel a placque was placed to commemorate Wilhelm's visit. He and his party were brought to this point for the spectacular view of the surroundings below and to the north of Haifa. If you have the extra time, it is a viewpoint well worth the effort to find it.
You can see the oblisk where the placque is placed in the second picture, it is white object just to the right. Also in the photo with Zohara and Hrvojka is a Turkish cannon left from when the Ottoman Empire ruled here in Israel (the end of that period was WWI).
To get there just ask how to get to the upper entrance to the Bahai Gardens, from there ask at the gate or continue just a little further on the same street going east along the border of the gardens, it is just across the street from another entrance to the gardens which is closed.

In the southern outskirts of Daliyat el Karmil there is a little monastery called Muhraka. This is the highest point on the Carmel. The monastery stands in the place where, according to tradition, the prophet Elija conflicted the 400 false prophets.

From the roof of the monastery there is a great view of the Jezreel Valley, stretching eastwards from the Carmel to the Jordan river. According to the Bible, right after the conflict, prophet Elija went to King Ahab's palace down in the valley.

The Carmel covers a large area, Haifa being the north-western tip. While you can see bits of nature inside the city limits (especially around Denya and the university), you will need to go beyond the university to get the real feel. Once you leave the city behind you can enjoy the beautiful nature. Huge number of wild flowers, pine trees, oaks and more.

See more pictures of the Carmel in the travelogue.

There are two Druze villages only a few km from Haifa, Isfia and Daliyat el Karmil. These villages are located on the Carmel mountain and offer some great views of the Carmel landscapes. These villages are very popular, people come here on weekends from Haifa and even from Tel-Aviv to shop in the market or eat some Druze food.

There are endless trecks in mount Carmel. From one hour to a whole day. Many trecks are well marked, and color coded. Some of the starts in the city, many others starts at the university of haifa(which you can reach by bus). You can ask for a trecking map in the tourist information and choose your favorite.

If you are not afraid of some walking, you can have a magnificent scenary walk from the top of mount carmel to the harbor. Start at the center of Carmel(Merkaz Hacarmel) walk througj a small street called 'Shaar Halevanon' to 'Yefe Nof' (Panorama) street. walk thnorthwest direction. You have the most beautifull view of the bay from haifa to Acre, and in a good day, you can see up to the Lebanon border. in the middle of the street is the upper gate to the Bahai Gardens. Take right at the end of the street, and right again to 'Shderot Hatzionut' (The Tzionut Avenue). Walk down the stip street. 2/3 on the way is the enterance to the Bahai Shrine, open daily 09:00a.m.-12:00. Continue down, and turn left on Hagefen street. At the corner of Ben Gurion Avenue, you are at the bottom gate of the Bahai gardens. What a vie!!!Turn right and walk down through the templer colony to the Harbor

The Carmel is the perfect place to go wild flower hunting. Look in the travelogue for a little sample of spring flowers.