The Mysteries of the Old Town of Tzfat and Mount Meron

Activities:

• Begin the day with a hike - level can be fit to your ability. - We offer 3 options of hikes, in different levels - on the beautiful Mount Meron - the tallest peak west of the Jordan, offering superb views towards Lebanon, the Galilee, and the Hula valley.

• Hike on Mount Meron - 1. Slow easy hike - take the Summit Path for an easy, circular hike around the top of mountain, pausing at the frequent viewing points to gaze at the panorama. The path is suitable for all ages, but not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.
  What's the verdict? 3km (1.8 Miles), 108m elevation (355ft), 146m descent (476ft).
  
  2. intermediate level hike - From the top of Mount Meron we will walk on the path of the Israel Trail downwards. We will visit the ruins of an old Jewish village, from 19th Century, located on a more ancient, and mostly uncovered, village from Byzantine Era (circa 5th Century CE). The trail then will lead us through lashing cultivated areas of the Meron Mount, to Zeved Sring - a seasonal spring and a wonderful viewpoint to the Eastern Galilee. We will continue, mostly downhill, towards the Modern village of Meron, passing the remains and ancient Synagogue - AND the mysterious "chair" - that awaits the return of the prophet Elijah.
  What's the verdict? 5.5km (3.5 Miles). 500m descent (1650ft).
  
  3. For in-shape and more experienced hikers - hike from Meron and Amud valleys all the way to Tzfat: Walking by the old flour mill, gushing springs and green Mediterranean forest - and ascending all the way to the mysteries of the Artists Colony in Tzfat.
  During out hike we will have a break to relax in some of the most fantastic refreshing water pools in the Galilee. By the water we will also see the old fulling mill, that served the textile industry of the Jewish community in Tzfat in the 16th century. The variety of flora on this trail is staggering - on top of the Oak and Cherub trees that are abundant in the Galilee, we will encounter Willows, Laurels, Judas Tree, and huge Plane trees - the largest wild tree in Israel, as well as classic local fruit trees, such as Pomegranate, Olive and Fig. We will climb from the valley to the city of Tzfat, and after a suitable break, continue to the next part of our tour. What's the verdict? 5.5km (3.5 Miles). 225m descent (738ft). 350m elevation (1148ft).

• Continue to Tzfat - Tour the city of Tzfat which sits at a higher altitude than any other city in Israel and has been known since the 16th century as a major center of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. The old synagogues, narrow alleyways and artists’ studios add to the city’s charm.

• Tour in Tzfat - Jewish mysticism's birthplace - The city of Tzfat (also spelled Tsfat or Safed) is one of 4 holy cities in Jewish tradition, together with Tiberias, Hebron, and, naturally, Jerusalem. It resided on the top of Mount Canaan that is overlooking the green tops of Mount Meron on its west' and the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights on the east. The city has become the center of Kabbalah scholars in the 16th century, many of them refugees (and descendants of refugees) of the traumatic Expulsion from Spain (1492). The setting of the city, coupled with the attempt to rebuild the shattered Jewish community and Jewish identity, inspired some of these renowned Rabbis to explore the hidden secrets of Judaism, the Tora ( aka - 5 books of Moses), and the principles of Kabballah as they are obscurely worded in the 13th-century founding book of Kabbalah - Zohar ("The Glow").
  
  As part of our tour, we will walk in the alleyways of Tzfat, visit some of the main Synagogues of the city, and have a chat with one of the Kaballah-inspired artists that reside in the ancient part of town.