In the lower part of the hotel you will find our Forest trail – a path that leads you in to a natural green grove and reveals the full magnificence of the Sea of Galilee before your eyes.

The path leads to the center of Amirim  Village. The walk takes approximately 25 minutes in every direction.

Important information about the trail:

1. Length of walk: approximately 25 min.

2. Level of difficulty of trail: medium

3. Come prepared with walking shoes and long pants

4. The trail is open during daylight hours only.

Link to trail map

Amirey Hagalil Forest Trail

The Amirey Hagalil Boutique Hotel is located in the Upper Galilee, surrounded by greenery and virgin forests. But don’t let the tranquil scenery and quiet mislead you – this pastoral region is full of tourism attractions you wouldn’t want to miss.

So what can we do while we’re here, you ask? Well, here we go:

Take a walk down natural marked paths, taste wine in boutique wineries, visit the graves of rabbis and biblical figures, take a stroll in the virgin forest, wander around in the Birya Forest, visit the Maronite Village – Gush Halav, Amirim village, Rosh Pinna and Peki’in, taste the produce of local dairies, discover charming spots in the forest, ascend Mount Meron, wander around the ancient city of Safed, go on bicycle trips, enjoy the beauty of locally made handicraft, art items and environmental sculpture, learn from archaeological and architectural sites, bath in the Sea of Galilee… and this is merely an abridged list…

All this and much more await you very near Amirey Hagalil Boutique hotel, located at the heart of Merom HaGalil (Upper Galilee) – an area that has a myriad of options for vacation, tourism and leisure in store for you. We invite you to enjoy the luxury at our hotel, to use all of its and, when you feel you the need for it, go somewhere nearby and make a change of scene – the hotel is only one and a half kilometers away from Amirim Village, 10 minutes drive from Mount Meron, 15 minutes from Carmi’el, 20 minutes from Safed, 25 minutes from the Sea of Galilee and Rosh Pinna…

There are many diverse options for and we have a selection of ideas for you. For example, you can take a walk from the lower part of the hotel on the forest path that leads to Amirim Village; once you get there, you can visit the sculpture garden and freshen up in the Village’s swimming pool. You can return from there to the hotel to rest and receive a pampering spa  treatment that will balance your energy. Now, when both body and mind relaxed and your face smiling, it’s time to take a ride to the Moshava of Rosh Pinna, wander in its narrow allies, visit the restoration site of the old Moshava and finish with some shopping in the local shopping moll called HaKhan (a word from Arabic meaning roadside inn). You can return to the hotel at sunset and enjoy a rich meal cooked by our chef, relax in the lounge and enjoy the atmosphere of the Boutique Hotel. After a good night’s sleep in a royal suite you will be ready for a new day of fun…

The hotel staff will be happy to help and suggest activities that are suitable for you, located not far from the hotel. Nature loving couples, guests looking for recreation through extreme sports, honeymooning couples and elderly visitors – all can find options for fun activities in the area.

“And wine that maketh glad the heart of man” (Psalm 104/15)

In a mountainous area between nature reserves and vineyards there is a wonderful route which combines tastes and smells.

We will begin the route from route 85 at the Ein Kamonim farm where the atmosphere of peace and freedom can be felt and high quality olive oil and cheeses produced at the farm can be tasted. From there we will continue to the Hananya junction and we will ascend route 866 to Kibbutz Farod where we will visit the “Saba Habib” Olive Press which produces oil, tahini and more.

From there we will continue on route 866 to the “Kfar Shamai” village which holds two boutique wineries, the “Amud Stream” winery and the “Dror Winery”. From there we will continue climbing till we reach the Meron village where we will visit the “Vanchozker” Winery and from there we will continue and turn at Meron junction to route 89 (in the direction of Sasa), at the next junction we will turn to the Or Haganuz village and to the “Or Haganuz” winery, from where we will continue to route 89 and turn into the Safsufa village to the Luria winery.

We will continue to the Gush Halav village and immediately turn right in the direction of the Dalton Lake where we will be able to visit the “Dalton” winery’s visitor’s center and the “Adir Winery and Dairy Plant“, and the “Butterfly Beer Brewery“.

From the other side of route 886 we will turn into a path between the vines until we reach the “Rimon Winery”. From here we will continue on route 886 in the direction of the Ben Zimra village where we will be able to visit the Meytav, Ben Zimra and Mills wineries.

It is also possible to visit the Kadita Winery which is located on route 89 on the winding road between Safed and Meron, and from there to ascend in the direction of Safed and turn into the Birya village so as to visit the “Birya” Winery.

Enchanting green scenery, valleys and streams, crisp air, ancient sites, tombs of holy men, vineyards and wineries. All this is waiting for you in the bicycle paths of the Birya and Bar’am forests in the Upper Galilee. The paths are suitable both for families and experienced riders. The route of the bicycle courses in the Upper Galilee traverse forest paths and existing farmer’s paths. The paths have been prepared and signposted by the JNF with the aid of the Government Tourism Corporation, the Upper Galilee District Council, the Gush Halav Local Council and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and have been designated according to their levels of difficulty. Among the many existing possibilities we have chosen for you the bicycle paths designated for the entire family at a level of easy or medium difficulty, and also recommendations for challenging routes for experienced outdoor bikers.

How to get there?

Press here for the map of bicycle paths in the Upper Galilee

The bicycle paths can be reached from the Birya forest – Ein Zeitim parking lot (route 886), Hozim parking lot or the Rabin parking lot in the Bar’am forest (route 8967), from the Kerem Ben Zimra village (route 886) and from Gush Halav (route 89).

Green path number 1 (easy level of difficulty) – a 5 KM long circular route. The starting point and end point are at the Ein Zeitim parking lot in the Birya forest. Pay attention to the recommended direction of riding which is marked on the map with arrows.

Green path number 3 (easy level of difficulty) – a 3.5 KM circular route. The starting point and end point are at the Rabin parking lot in the Bar’am forest. Riding in both directions is suitable.

Blue path number 2 (medium level of difficulty, suitable for riders with outdoor riding skills) – a 17 KM circular route. The starting and end points are in the Kerem Ben Zimra village.

Exit the entrance to the village and turn south (left) on an asphalt road, in the direction of the village’s chicken coops. Pass through a metal gate and continue on a dirt path till the Ein Alva spring. Keep riding till the point at which the path connects with the Gush Halav stream, cross the stream and turn left for a short and steep descent. It is recommended to descend on foot since the path is wet and slippery at this point. Continue riding on the path along the Gush Halav stream till the confluence of the Gush Halav and Dishon streams. At the confluence, turn north along the course of the Israel Path. At this point turn to an eastern path which sharply winds north and climbs into the Bar’am forest. Here a scenic view to the northern borders of Israel will be possible. Continue riding along the path till it reaches a sharp turn east and at this point start descending in a north-eastern direction. Continue riding south on the path and climb in the direction of the orchards of the Kerem Ben Zimra village until you connect with the peripheral road of the village. From here turn north and ride along the peripheral road till you reach the starting point.

Red path number 4 (high difficulty level, suitable for riders with good outdoor riding skills) – the starting point for this path is possible from a number of places: the Rabin parking lot in the Bar’am forest, Kerem Ben Zimra village or Gush Halav (Jeesh). Those coming from the Birya forest may begin at the Ein Zeitim parking lot or the Hozim parking lot. The route can be a 20 KM circular route or a 36 KM “eight-shaped” route, if the path which goes round the Matityahu farm is taken. For those beginning in the Ein Zeitim or Hozim parking lots there is another back and forth section which is 20 KM long.

Link: Map of bicycle paths in the High Galilee

Written by: Cami Zarihan-Heller, Governmental Tourism Corporation

Introduction and editing: Hava Brown

Information courtesy of: Yaron Levi, Golan and central Galilee community-forest coordinator

Map: Noga Mizrachi

Photographs: JNF photograph archive

Among the settlements of Merom Hagalil area (Upper Galilee) many tombs of “Zadikim” are strewn. Many visit the tombs on a pilgrimage seeking blessings from the “Zadikim” that are associated with various virtues such as fertility, match making, good livelihood and more…

Here we offer you a route which crosses Marom Hagalil Country and marks these interesting sites:

A scenic route which crosses the Birya Forest, the High Galilee and the Meron Forest. One of the most beautiful paths in Upper Galilee.

The route begins at Hazor Haglilit, crosses Birya Forest and passes by Mizpe Amuka, from where it continues to Ein Zeitim and crosses the access road to Kadita. The route climbs the vineyard area of Meron and enters the amazingly beautiful Meron Forest and leaves it at the Meron junction on route 89. This scenic route is the backbone of the Holy Men Paths project – the flagship project of the JNF in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s office and other local authorities, whose goal is the development of the paths and sites for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area and the visitors who come from around the country.

Along the scenic route there are many heritage sites, springs, camping lots, hiking trails and bicycle paths at different levels of difficulty. When entering the scenic route from the direction of Mizpe Amuka westwards, one passes a hanging cliff with an astounding view to the Hula Valley and the Hermon. Further on one passes the Naburia Spring and the remnants of the ancient Naburia synagogue. When continuing west, one crosses the Butana Valley and the Ein Gever spring, and after crossing a road one reaches the Ein Zeitim parking lot.

Proceeding on the route in the direction of Kadita, ancient farming terraces and blossoming vineyards are revealed to the eye. In the Meron Forest one meets a beautiful variety of grove trees which were planted during the British Mandate. Along the route and at its end one can visit different burial marks of Holy Men from the time of the Mishna and one can bring the route to an end at the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai.

It is possible to join the route at a number of points: by Amuka. On route 886 (Ein Zeitim junction towards Dalton). From route 866 through crossing the Amud Stream near Kadita and also nearby the Meron junction from route 89.

List if “Zadikim”:

The Amirey Hagalil hotel is named after the adjacent village – Amirim. This is a small, pastoral, village with an Israeli character, which was established in 1958 when a group of vegan settlers with unusual ecological ideas arrived in the area and decided to enter the business of tourism instead of rearing livestock commercially.

More than 50 years later, the vision of this group of founders is flourishing in the village. A variety of rural guest rooms and pampering bed & breakfasts have been established since then in the village, besides such tourism services as a large pool, artist galleries and restaurants, surrounded by harmony, peace, quiet and  a breathtaking scenery. The Amirim village has developed over the years, and will always be remembered as the first village of Israel’s rural tourism industry.

Amirim is located nearby the cities Safed (about 20 minutes) and Carmiel (about 15 minutes), and enjoys all the advantages of a small, quiet rural village situated in the vicinity of a city. The guests can enjoy a large variety of hikes which are offered by the surrounding nature, and challenging activities such as horse riding, ATV and jeep trips. In addition it is possible to hike in the Birya forest or the Manara Cliff. To spice up the vacation one can visit one of the many tourist and recreation sites in nearby Safed. Visitors to the area enjoy crisp, cool, weather in the summer and winters which are sometimes painted by the pure and breathtaking hues of snowy white.

The Amirim village invites the visitor to many delightful and pleasant corners. In the village one may find a unique sculpture garden which reveals among its paths 20 statues by artists from Israel and abroad. The paths of the garden wind through green trees and vegetation, and create a perfect background for a calm walk combining art. All the statues in the garden are from the Israel Museum collection. The site is also accessible to people with disabilities, and is suitable both for a romantic sojourn and for the entire visit.

In the summer the visitors to the hotel can enjoy the pool in the adjacent Amirim village. In addition, Amirey Hagalil guests may enjoy a walk in the enchanted forest which leads from the lower part of our hotel to the village. We invite our guests to enjoy the peace and calm of a walk in nature through the green groves and the treetops (in Hebrew: Amirim), with the view of the Sea of Galilee and the crisp air constantly accompanying the traveler. Walking in the forest paths is recommended only during the hours of the day. We recommend that our visitors equip themselves with long pants and closed shoes. The duration of the walk is 25 minutes in each direction and the level of difficulty is defined as medium. The hotel staff will be pleased to stand at your service for any request or question. In addition, you may find any information you need on the site: pictures, articles, virtual tours and more…

*We welcome children 12 years and older

A view of the Amirim village

The structure was planned in the style of a Khan – two “r” shaped wings with covered corridors and an assortment of arches around an expansive internal courtyard housing an ancient olive tree, and a viewing terrace to complete the “ח” shape. The views overlooked from the structure face the south – the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights.

After considerable thought it was decided to change the designation of the site to tourism and vacations.  The eight stables on the lower level, overlooking the scenery, were transformed into 8 accommodation units each having a view from the terrace, Jacuzzi and lawn. The ground floor cafeteria was transformed into a wide expansive restaurant and the other area around the open courtyard was planned for future accommodation units for later execution.

The site was operated in this format for many years as a small motel combined with artistic activity such as appearances and Kabalat Shabbat (here, the group “Sheva” and the singer Moshe Ben Ari got their start). The demand for a spa and health treatments led to the next level of “Spa Hotel”: The unutilized section and the viewing terrace on the upper level of the ground floor became the treatment center, and additional floor was built with a Galilean tile roof around the inside courtyard where the sauna and spa and accommodation units were planned, facing the view. The upper level was also planned in the “ח” shape with a large terrace facing the view. This level was also combined in the motif of covered passageways with arched openings that view the internal courtyard from above. The roofing material used for the internal courtyard is transparent and became the hotel lobby. The lower level ground floor vacation units were transformed into 4 spacious units each with a private yard, facing the view.

Just by knowing a number of simple planning rules, and without any additional cost, the building functions as a “green” energy saving building. Placement of windows at a southern, southwestern or southeast exposure, appropriate shading, exterior wall insulation together with thick walls contributes to temperature restraint in the summer and accumulation of solar energy in the winter and planning that allows natural ventilation – all of these factors were implemented in the planning, starting with the first pencil mark and through every change of function.

In the lobby, you can sense the beauty and power of nature.

The guests sitting in the lobby surrounded by hypnotic mirrors, glaring green, the blue of the Sea of Galilee and the intoxicating scents during the entire year.

And yes, inside of a little more than 20 years, the horse farm and small cafeteria structure transformed into a spa hotel with 16 accommodation units with breathtaking views seen from every direction.  Across from the abundance of shapes and functions that the building wore and removed, only the old olive tree planted in the center of the courtyard is left as it was…

Sincerely,

Natan On-Bar, Architect

Hotel Architect.

Hotel's lobby

Israelies Rates – Half Board – Valid: 1/1/2011-31/12/2011

Rates are in NIS, per night

Tourist Rates – HB – Valid 1/3/2011-28/2/2012

Rates are in USD, per night

Accommodation at Amirey Hagalil Spa Boutique Hotel is on HB basis that includes Dinner at the Kosher Chef restaurant (A-La-Carte) and a typical Israeli breakfast.

_____________________________________________________________________

** Holidays/ H.S. Dates:

Passover         18-26/4/2011                       Rosh Hashanah   28.09- 1.10/2011

Shavuot          7-9/6/2011                           Sukkoth                12-21/10/2011

Summer vac. 15.07 – 31.08/2011            

Terms of order:

• Prices are for a couple in NIS and include a typical Israeli breakfast and Dinner at the Hotel’s Chef restaurant. (dinner doesn’t include drinks, wine & gratuity)
• VAT exempt for tourists only.
• On Saturdays accommodation is on BB basis (except for Sukkoth and Passover)
• Rates for holidays and H.S as Weekend rates.
• Weekend reservations/ H.S are for a minimum of 2 nights.
• Additions: Passover Dinner – addition of 180 NIS/45$ per person.
• Rosh-Hashanah – min. 3 nights
• Mid-week rates are valid Sunday – Wednesday night. Weekend rates valid either Thursday-Friday or Friday-Saturday nights.
• Children over the age of 12 are welcomed
• Check-in 3:00 PM check-out 12:00 AM.
• Hotel Amirey Hagalil Reserve the right to change rates without notice.

Cancellation Terms:

Cancellation Fees during Regular season:

Weekends:

• If cancelled up to 7 days before date of arrival, no fee will be charged.
• If cancelled or modified later or in case of no-show, the first night will be charged.

Weekdays:

• If cancelled up to 4 days before date of arrival, no fee will be charged.
• If cancelled or modified later or in case of no-show, the first night will be charged.

Cancellation Fees for High season – Holidays & Summer months (July, August) (not including Rosh Hashanah & Passover)

• If cancelled up to 7 days before date of arrival, no fee will be charged.
• If cancelled or modified later, 50% of the total bill will be charged.
• In case of no show the total bill will be charged

Cancellation Fees for Rosh Hashanah & Passover

• If cancelled from three weeks before date of arrival, 50% of the total bill will be charged.
• If cancelled from two weeks before date of arrival, 80% of the total bill will be charged.
• In case of no show the total bill will be charged.

Members of our club will enjoy special savings such as:

• 5% discount on all weekends, holidays and the months of July-August.
• 10% discount for a mid-week reservation
• 10% discount on all Spa treatments at the Hotel     
• 10% discount on a pampering day in the hotel
• 10% discount on a full priced meal at the Hotel’s Chef restaurant
• 15% discount  for a Golden Age guest (certified by documentation) with a weekday reservation.
• 50% discount on Second night for students (certified by student ID) with a weekday reservation.
• A free Spa treatment lasting 50 minutes for one  person who is celebrating a wedding anniversary / birthday (during a night stay only, not including vouchers or Spa Package deals).
• Special deals for members only

General conditions:

• All member deals can be activated from member’s second stay at our Hotel. Registration for the Members Club can be done at the Hotel Reception only.
• All discounts and perks will be given only to registered card holder. The discount reservation is for one room only and is nontransferable to a nonmember.
• Discounts for Birthday and Anniversary celebrations must be used for a reservation that starts during the month of the event, this discounts cannot be used for Packages that include spa treatments
• Weekday discounts on Sunday – Wednesday, not including holidays or the months of July-August
• All prices for perks according to our pricelist and cannot be combined with additional discounts.
• All discounts and perks are subject to change without prior notice
• The Hotel Management retains the right to all and any changes to conditions of the Members Club.

Waiting to see you again,

Amirey hagalil Staff