The Baha'i Gardens
bahai center & gardens in haifa /mount carmel image by L. Shat from
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The beautiful Baha'i Gardens run down the northern slope of Haifa's main hill. Located in the center of the city, the terraced gardens are splendid to behold, and they make a great urban hike that's sure to get your heart pumping, especially when going uphill. The gardens provide sweeping views of the city and also house the Shrine of the Bab, a mausoleum for the spiritual founder of the Baha'i faith, which promotes unity and incorporates teachings from many of the world's major religions.
Mount Carmel National Park
Located in the mountains just south of Haifa, Mount Carmel National Park has thousands of acres of Mediterranean forest to explore. Trails of varying levels of difficulty crisscross the park and provide ample opportunities to soak in stunning panoramas of ocean, green mountains and open sky.
Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve
The numerous streams that feed into the Sea of Galilee carve out gorgeous canyons and waterfalls in this nature reserve. Situated in the Golan Heights about 60 km east of Haifa, the reserve contains awesome hikes that wind past ancient ruins and ravines alike. The highlight is a demanding trail that descends a series of cliffs and requires hikers to swim across several rock-strewn pools. The park also has opportunities for rappelling and overnight camping.
