Waterfalls, refreshing pools and fantastic views – a visit to the Nahal Ayun Nature Reserve in the Galilee Panhandle is the perfect summer outing.
By MEITAL SHARABIWaterfalls, refreshing pools and fantastic views – a visit to the Nahal Ayun Nature Reserve in the Galilee Panhandle is the perfect summer outing(photo credit: JERUSALEM POST)
It’s hot outside, the rivers are flowing with cool, blue water and the skies are clear – everything one needs for a weekend to be perfect.And there’s no better place to inaugurate the summer swimming season than the beautiful Nahal Ayun Nature Reserve and its spectacular waterfalls.Water flows in the Ayun River all year long. The source of the river is two wellsprings in Marjayun, which is in southern Lebanon, and at some point the river joins the Hatzbani River. Similar to other rivers in the North, the Ayun almost dried up at one point. In recent years, the Nature and Parks Authority has made great efforts to prevent this from happening by diverting water into the Ayun from the Dan River.As a result, water flow has increased and hikers can now enjoy the four waterfalls and pools the nature park offers.The Ayun Waterfall, the highest waterfall on the mountain, sends tons of water cascading down into a large pool, but unfortunately swimming is forbidden here.The second waterfall, Tahana, is actually two narrow waterfalls that flow together into one big pool.You can take one of two trails through the nature reserve. The first trail, which is great for people who are pressed for time, involves a short hike to the Tanur Waterfall and back. If you prefer, however, to enjoy a more extensive hike, then you should take the trail that starts in the northern parking area and runs the entire length of the river, passing by all four waterfalls. This path is not circular, but even if you don’t have two cars, it’s worth walking all the way in and then back out to your car.The longer trail starts with a walk toward the Safari memorial, which is next to the northern parking area. The monument was established in memory of the 12 IDF soldiers who died on their way home from Lebanon in 1985. From there, the trail markers lead into the nature park. As you walk southward alongside the river, you’ll notice right from the start what remains of the famous Ayun Bridge, which the British built and which the Palmah blew up during the “Night of the Bridges” operation.Continuing along the path, you will soon reach the most beautiful part of the trip: the Ayun Waterfall. It is 9 meters tall, and you can hear the powerful force of the water from quite a distance. Although swimming is not allowed in the pool below, the waterfall is breathtaking, and the effort to reach it is well worth it.From there, the trail turns down toward the Tahana Waterfall, which was named after the ancient flour mill that was in operation there until 1920. This waterfall is twice as high as the Ayun Waterfall, and at its foot you can see the remains of a pump that was used to supply water to residents throughout the Metulla area until the end of the 1950s. Don’t spend too much time here, though, because there are still two more gorgeous waterfalls to visit up ahead.The surroundings become greener the closer you get to the Eshed Waterfall, which is actually made up of two waterfalls. The upper one is 9 m. tall, and the lower one 5 m.The two stunning waterfalls come together naturally and beautifully.If you’re not tight for time, this is the perfect place to stop and splash around in the refreshing pool. In addition, it’s worthwhile to take a peek at the cemetery where Metulla’s first settlers are buried.When you’ve finished hanging out in the pool, you can take the winding path that leads from the cemetery toward the last stop on the trail: the Tanur Waterfall. This waterfall, which is 30 m. high, comes into view as you descend along the path. There are a few hypotheses why it received the name Tanur (oven). One is that its shape is reminiscent of a brick oven’s chimney. If you follow another narrow path that goes back up for a few meters, you will reach the pool.This is the end of the trail. If you’ve left a second car in the southern parking lot, you will have just a short walk to your vehicle.If not, you can begin your trek back to the beginning of the trail at the northern parking area.■ Translated by Hannah Hochner.
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