Things to see and do Golan

In addition to its strategic military position, due to its proximity to the Syrian border (Damascus is only 50 km away!), the Golan has another major asset: its water. Several tributaries of the Jordan have their source here, and 35% of the country's water supply comes from this region. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon, this nature reserve on the border between the Upper Galilee and the Golan is home to the Nahal Banias. This river, one of the main sources of the Jordan River along with the Nahal Dan, forms an impressive 10 m-high waterfall a few kilometers away. Nearby is a cave that once served as a temple to the Greek god Pan, hence its first name: Paneas or Paneas, transformed into Banias or Baniyas. The best time to admire the waterfall is in spring, when the snow melts.

The reserve is also home to a number of historic mills, used to grind grain and produce flour. For example, the Matrouf flour mill is still in operation, used by the villagers of Mas'ada and En Kiniya, and can be visited. There are other ruined mills along the creek (the Um Ra'i mill near Nahal Sa'ar, and the Al-Mahadeh and Sab'ah mills near the waterfall). The site also features Roman ruins, from the time when the town of Caesarea Philippi stood here, and ruins dating from the Crusader era.

Located between Gamla and Qatzrin, the superb Yehudiya woodland reserve and its waterfalls will delight hikers of all levels. Some of them are designed for the more athletic, involving abseiling or swimming. Such is the case of the Gorge Noire trail, which follows the canyon carved out by the Zavitan River along a series of abseiling waterfalls. It's a popular nature reserve for campers, as you can legally pitch your tent here.

The scattered ruins of Gamla's fortifications, now protected in the national park, were discovered during the Six-Day War. The town takes its name from the Hebrew word "gamal", or camel, in reference to the hill on which it is situated, which evokes the shape of a camel's rump. The site is known as the Masada of the North: in 67 AD, 5,000 of its inhabitants threw themselves into the void rather than surrender to the Romans. This episode, and the seven-month siege that preceded it, were recounted by the Jewish writer Flavius Josephus. To reach the ruins, follow a path up the hillside. At the entrance to the site are the remains of a ^1st-century synagogue, one of the oldest ever discovered.

Gamla is also famous for the many vultures that nest on the cliffs. Another remarkable natural feature is Israel's highest waterfall (51 metres), which flows all year round, and which you can reach by taking a path that passes close to a field of dolmens built by nomads who inhabited the Golan 4,000 years ago! These burial mounds date back to the Bronze Age: they consist of two stone blocks set perpendicular to the ground, topped by a horizontal slab. Together, they resemble heavy stone tables. Given their size and number, archaeologists assume that these dolmens were used to bury members of the elite only.

Unearthed in the 1970s-1980s, the ruins of ancient Qatzrin have been restored and the village reconstituted in this pleasant little park. On display are a ^3rd-century synagogue and a number of reconstructed houses featuring ancient domestic utensils and farming implements. Figures in historical dress demonstrate traditional farming techniques, manipulating the grape or olive press to produce wine and olive oil. An audiovisual presentation is available on request.

Odem Forest Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve on the Golan Heights. It features some 20 craters of varying sizes. Their formation dates back to volcanic activity several million years ago: they are thought to have been caused by an explosion following the meeting of cold underground water and magma burning on the surface. Big Juba is the largest crater ("juba" means "pit" in Arabic), 250 m in diameter and 60 m deep. It's a great place for the more athletically inclined, but the serenity of the setting is the main attraction.