Mount Arbel National Park
הר ארבל
Mount Arbel rises 181 meters above the Sea of Galilee, offering one of the most spectacular panoramic views in Israel. The sheer basalt cliffs overlook the lake, the Golan Heights, Mount Hermon, and the Galilee hills. Ancient caves carved into the cliff face served as fortifications from the Hasmonean period through the time of Herod. The cliff trail with iron rungs and ladders is one of Israel's most thrilling short hikes.
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Biblical Significance
While not mentioned by name in the Bible, Arbel overlooks the exact landscape of Jesus's Galilean ministry. The view encompasses Capernaum, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, and Magdala. The Horns of Hattin — site of the decisive Crusader defeat in 1187 — are visible from the summit. Jewish tradition associates nearby Arbel village with one of the seats of the Sanhedrin.
Park Highlights
- Panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee from the cliff edge
- Cliff descent trail with iron rungs and ladders
- Ancient fortress caves in the cliff face
- Arbel synagogue ruins (4th century)
- Views of Golan Heights and Mount Hermon
The View That Captures All of Galilee
Standing at the edge of Mount Arbel's sheer cliff, the entire world of the Galilee unfolds below. The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) spreads out like a vast blue mirror — at 209 meters below sea level, the lowest freshwater lake on Earth. Directly across the water, the Golan Heights rise steeply, and on clear days the snow-capped peak of Mount Hermon is visible to the north. Below the cliff, the ancient road from Nazareth to Capernaum passes through the Arbel Valley — the same road Jesus would have walked. Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, sits at the cliff's base. To the west, the distinctive twin peaks of the Horns of Hattin mark the site where Saladin defeated the Crusaders in 1187.
Fortress Caves and Ancient Rebels
The caves carved into Arbel's cliff face have served as refuge and fortress for over 2,000 years. During the Hasmonean period, Jewish rebels hid in these nearly inaccessible caves. When Herod the Great was consolidating his control over the Galilee in 37 BCE, he had to lower soldiers in baskets from the cliff top to root out rebels who had fortified the caves — one of the most dramatic military operations in ancient history, described vividly by Josephus. The caves were fortified again during the Great Revolt against Rome (66–73 CE) and during the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 CE). Some caves still show signs of habitation: carved shelves, water cisterns, and connecting tunnels.
The Cliff Trail Experience
The Arbel cliff trail is one of Israel's most exhilarating short hikes. Starting from the upper parking lot, the trail descends the cliff face using a series of iron rungs, metal ladders, and carved footholds. The descent is not technically difficult — it is more of a scramble than a climb — but the exposure is real: sheer drops of hundreds of meters fall away on either side. The trail is safe for anyone comfortable with heights and wearing proper footwear. At the bottom, hikers can explore the fortress caves before climbing back up or continuing down to the Arbel Valley. The best light for photography is in the early morning, when the sun illuminates the Sea of Galilee and the Golan cliffs glow golden.
Hiking Trails
Arbel Cliff Trail (descent)
2 km · 1.5-2 hours
Summit Loop
1.5 km · 45 min
Visitor Information
Hours
Summer: 8:00–17:00, Winter: 8:00–16:00
Admission
Adult: 22 NIS, Child: 9 NIS
Parking
Parking lot at upper entrance
Tips
- The cliff descent is not suitable for those afraid of heights
- Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip
- Start from the top parking lot for the full cliff experience
- Best light for photos is in the morning
In the Torah
What Does the Torah Say About This Place?
Biblical references near Mount Arbel National Park
From Chinnereth to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea
וְהָֽעֲרָבָ֖ה וְהַיַּרְדֵּ֣ן וּגְבֻ֑ל מִכִּנֶּ֗רֶת וְעַ֨ד יָ֤ם הָֽעֲרָבָה֙ יָ֣ם הַמֶּ֔לַח תַּ֛חַת אַשְׁדֹּ֥ת הַפִּסְגָּ֖ה מִזְרָֽחָה׃
fContinuing vv. 8–10; cf. 4.47–49. [We also seized] the Arabah, from the foot of the slopes of Pisgah on the east, to the edge of the Jordan, and from Chinnereth down to the sea of the Arabah, the Dead Sea.
The Sea of Chinneroth eastward
וְהָעֲרָבָה֩ עַד־יָ֨ם כִּנְר֜וֹת מִזְרָ֗חָה וְ֠עַ֠ד יָ֣ם הָעֲרָבָ֤ה יָם־הַמֶּ֙לַח֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה דֶּ֖רֶךְ בֵּ֣ית הַיְשִׁמ֑וֹת וּמִ֨תֵּימָ֔ן תַּ֖חַת אַשְׁדּ֥וֹת הַפִּסְגָּֽה׃
and over the eastern Arabah up to the Sea of Chinnereth and, southward by way of Beth-jeshimoth at the foot of the slopes of Pisgah on the east, down to the Sea of the Arabah, that is, the Dead Sea.
The border goes down to the Sea of Chinnereth on the east
וְיָרַ֨ד הַגְּבֻ֧ל מִשְּׁפָ֛ם הָרִבְלָ֖ה מִקֶּ֣דֶם לָעָ֑יִן וְיָרַ֣ד הַגְּבֻ֔ל וּמָחָ֛ה עַל־כֶּ֥תֶף יָם־כִּנֶּ֖רֶת קֵֽדְמָה׃
From Shepham the boundary shall descend to Riblah on the east side of Ain; from there the boundary shall continue downward and abut on the eastern slopes of the Sea of Chinnereth.dSea of Chinnereth I.e., the Sea (or Lake) of Galilee.
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