Rosh Hanikra

Introducing Rosh Hanikra

The tumultuous border between Israel and Lebanon comes to an appropriately rugged and foreboding head at Rosh HaNikra, where jagged cliffs plunge into the sea and waves crash into a series of grottoes. The 10km road from Nahariya ends at the Rosh HaNikra Tourist Centre (04-985 7109; www.rosh-hanikra.com) from where a cable car (adult/child 40/32NIS; 8.30am-4pm Sep-Mar, 8.30am-6pm Apr-Jun, 8.30am-11pm Jul-Aug) descends steeply to the caves. Alternatively, find the dim walking track that leaves the main highway about 300m south of the tourist centre; it leads through a former rail tunnel to the caves.

The caves were enlarged by the British for a railway and by the Israelis to improve access for visitors. They are explored via a meandering path that leads you to various points where the sea caves can be seen in all their glory – or tempestuousness – if the sea is seething. At the northern end, the tunnel leads you into a small theatre, slap-bang on the Lebanese border where you can watch a 12-minute film on the history of this historic railway.

Other than the caves, there is a reasonably priced self-service restaurant and the closed gate marking the border between Israel and Lebanon.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009