Majestic Mount Carmel
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Overlooking more than 15 miles of Israel's beautiful Mediterranean Coastline, Mount Carmel is a distinct, and historic landmark you can't possibly miss.
While Mount Carmel is massive, it might surprise you to know that it is not particularly high. Breaking out of the surrounding miles and miles of flat plains, the mountain seems to tower over the area, but the peak only reaches a modest 550m above sea level. It's not the height, but the sheer breadth of the mountain that is truly impressive.
Spanning 15 miles long and more than five miles wide at it's widest point, Mount Carmel doesn't just overlook many cities, it is large enough to contain several of them! Haifa (Israel’s third city), Yokneam, and Zichron Yaakov can all be found on Mount Carmel.
Haifa is of course world-famous for its beauty and breathtaking scenery, owing much of that praise to the natural topography of the mountain. It also hosts the magnificent Bah’ai Gardens, part of the Bah’ai World Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Zichron Yaakov is a city of vines. A modern settlement developed specifically to take advantage of Mount Carmel's rich soil, favorable temperatures, and abundant sun exposure for wineries to thrive. These vineyards offer tours where you can appreciate the beauty and abundance the Lord has blessed Israel with.
There are also smaller communities to be found on the mountain, such as the Ein Hod Artist village. In this small community, more than 150 artists of all types, from painters, to sculptors, to architects and authors, live and work alongside their families creating some of Israel’s most forward and engaging art. These residents include 10 winners of the Israel National Award recognizing their important contributions to Israel culture.
It's no wonder artists do well in the area, Mount Carmel's natural beauty is truly inspiring. Jutting out from the desert-like plains, Mount Carmel stands out for its lush, rich vegetation and wildlife. The sides of the mountain are covered in trees, olive vines, and wildflowers. No matter the time of year, Mount Carmel always looks spectacular.
Not only a natural wonder, Mount Carmel is also steeped in biblical history. While the mountain was the site of several biblical events, the most famous of these has to be the confrontation between Elijah and the combined prophets of Baal and Asherah. While the prophets of Baal and Asherah were unable to prove any sort of miracle or power through their rituals, Elijah asked the Lord to demonstrate His power and He responded with fire from the sky, and then rain to relieve Israel from a famine it was suffering.
Mount Carmel is best enjoyed through its well maintained hiking trails. These trails wind around the mountain and are designed for a variety of skill and comfort levels (some are handicapped accessible). These trails highlight not only some of the most beautiful sites on the mountain, but also some of its most important. If you prefer a brisker pace, there are also bike tours available!
No trip to the Holy Land could be truly considered complete without a visit to Mount Carmel. Thankfully, due to its size, significance, and can't-miss cities and attractions, you're more than likely to find you're way there eventually!
