Only a few minutes from our village and house away, lies Gilboa, a 20 km long mountain range, which is at the highest point 520 m high and located at the Jezreel Valley, a few minutes from our hometown, Gan Ner away.
Gilboa is a visitor magnet for nature friends from all over Israel, especially during the rainy season (December to April). Large-scale wild-flower carpets, especially the lilac-colored Gilboa iris, attracts plenty of people every year.
The mountain chain also offers hiking trails with viewpoints to the Jezreel Valley. In good weather, you can even see the Hermon. If you do not have so much time, you should choose at least the mountain road (667) with a unique view of the Valley. This detour is worth it. On the route, there are some points to stop for a picnic or just to linger.
For those who knows the bible: the mountains are known by 1 Samuel 31, when King Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in the war against the Philistines. A small park at Mount Saul (Mt. Shaul) is reminiscent of this event.
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