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Sa’ar Waterfall
צילום: אפי שריר
Nahal Sa’ar: Sa’ar stream
It is a good idea to go see the stream before it is dried up by the spring sun and turns into a stale puddle
There are very few places in the country which allow us to forget, even for a little while, that we are in the heart of the Middle East. Nahal Sa’ar is one of those places, especially now when the recent rains have filled the channel with water flowing everywhere, and out every small crack.
To complete the European chic of the place, the banks are covered with blooming flowers and the snowy Hermon is visible in the horizon. Add to that Fort Nimrod towering above the north bank, and the illusion that this is France or Switzerland becomes even more likely.
There is no cause for alarm. None of the prices here are in Euros. Not even Shekels. Nahal Sa’ar hike is open to everyone willing to step out of the car and move their bones a bit, in exchange for some pure beauty.
Like many other parts of life, here, too, timing is of the essence. Those who visit the stream in a few months will face a complete dry channel, or a stale puddle. Now, the river can be seen in all its glory: a strong flow, raging falls, whirlpools and water spray throughout.
If the sound of streams can move from bubbling to uproar, the noise level of Nahal Sa’ar can easily be described as “extra extra uproar”. The vegetation in the area is thriving just as much, white and purple cyclamens, fuzzy yellow broom flowers and the occasional orchid peek from behind the ancient oak trees.
Nahal Sa’ar flows from the foot of the Hermon toward the Banias, and serves as a geological border between the calcite soil of the Hermon and the basalt soil of the Golan. One bank of the stream is black and basalt, while the other is light and chalky. The different types of soil on both banks also create a difference in vegetation between the banks.
The hike
We start at “The Friendship Bridge”, 1 km (about 3000 feet) south of the Druze village of Ein Kinya (arrive from route 99, south of Neve Ativ). The hike is between three and four hours, and stretches over about 3.5 km (2.2 miles).
About 100 meters (300 feet) before the bridge and to the south-west, a sign belonging to the national parks authority marks the beginning of the path, which is marked in green. Before the trail begins you will pass an ancient flour mill and the remnants of an ancient village. Cacti, olive trees and blooming almond trees show that this spot was always a popular place to live.
The trail continues through a flowering meadow near the strongly flowing stream. Fortunately, the trail stays close to the southern bank and does not require crossing the stream, so no one has to get wet. If you do want to experience the snow water, feel free to wash your face.
The trail takes you past several waterfalls, and two of them are marked on the map. It is a good idea to stop and take in the view, but this is still nothing compared to what you will see in the end of the hike.
Towards the end of the trail you must cross a road, and follow the markings on the other side. After a few more minutes of walking, you will reach Gesher Sa’ar (Sa’ar Bridge), not far from the intersection of routes 99 and 989.
After crossing the bridge, you go on for a couple of minutes on the path that leads to the observation point over the impressive and roaring Mapal Sa’ar (Sa’ar Waterfall). This is actually a set of three waterfalls, the middle one about 20 meters (65 feet) in height.
After you finish enjoying the waterfall view, you can take care of your appetite. Vendors selling fine jams, honeycombs and jars of labane in olive oil are waiting in the parking lot near the waterfall.
A historic aspect can be added to the trip by visiting Fort Nimrod, which has everything you could want: Fortified walls, watchtowers, spacious halls and pools which were used for bathing. There is an entrance fee.
Ayelet Gundar contributed to the report
