Mount Carmel National Park

Description:

• Israel's largest national park has 10,000 hectares (24,711 acres) of pine, eucalyptus, and cypress forest. It encompasses a large area of the Carmel mountain range and has many points of interest that are well marked and easily reachable. Within the park are the caves of the Carmel ridge; 250 sites inhabited by prehistoric humans beginning 100,000 years ago have been discovered. Elsewhere, special nature-reserve areas dedicated to studying and maintaining the original Mediterranean habitat of the area have been set up. And, of course, the park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, a restaurant, and restrooms. There are bicycle and walking paths and also a Druze hospitality center, serving tea and Druze breads. Admission to the nature reserve in the park is NIS 20 ($5/£2.50).

• © Frommer's 2013