Mount Tabor National Park | North of Israel

Mount Tabor - its Biblical associations and views and hike from the summit

A hike on the summit of Mount Tabor provides exceptional views of the Jezreel Valley and surrounding mountains. Mount Tabor is mentioned in the Bible as the site of the battle between the Jewish general Barak and the Canaanite general Sisera. This Jewish victory succeeded in permanently breaking Canaanite control over the Israelites. Mount Tabor is also meaningful to Christians as the site of the transfiguration of Jesus and it has been a place of Christian pilgrimage since Byzantine times. Two churches/monasteries are on the summit - the Catholic Franciscan Church of the Transfiguration, which can be visited, and the St. Elias Greek Orthodox Monastery, which is only open to the public on special days.

THE HIKE

Time: Just over one hour.

Distance: 3 Km.

Type of hike: Circular.

Difficulty: An easy hike suitable for families.

Directions: Enter “Mount Tabor” into Waze. This will take you through the Arab town of Daburiyya and up a winding road to a parking lot for the entrance to the churches. You can also arrange with one of taxi services to be driven to the top. This needs prior arrangement. Buses are not able to drive to the top of the mountain.

Public transport::"Enter "Mount Tabor" into Waze and click on “Church of the Transfiguration." From the Har Tabor terminus it is a 2.0 Km/25-minute walk.

The two Israel travel books that everyone was waiting for!

Bestseller! "In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone - The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Pools" and new! "The North of Israel for Everyone. The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites" by Arnold Slyper — with essays, directions, maps, and much more.

For courier service from Pomeranz Booksellers in Jerusalem (tel: 02-623 5559) click here and here. For Amazon click here and here. For details about these books and outstanding reviews click here and here.

For the overview "About Mount Tabor" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."

The views from the summit are magnificent. Below you on all sides is the Jezreel Valley. Mount Gilboa and the Samarian mountains are to the south, Mount Carmel to the west, the Upper and Lower Galilee to the north, the Gilead to the west, and the Golan Heights to the northwest.

As was the case for a lot of the country, Mount Tabor was deforested during the late Ottoman period when trees were used for making charcoal for the railways. It has since been reforested, particularly with Tabor Oak towards the summit and Jerusalem Pine on the lower slopes. Both these trees are indigenous to this country.

HIKE AROUND THE SUMMIT:

The black-marked trail starts by the side of the parking lot. You will be going round the summit in an anti-clockwise direction. Hence, continue along this path, which is on the west side of the mountain.

To the north-west, you will see the city of Nazareth rising from the Jezreel Valley onto the foothills of the mountains of the Lower Galilee.

After some distance, on the southern aspect of the trail, you will meet a red trail on your right. If you wish, you can descend along this trail a short distance to an observation point. Below you are the Bedouin villages of Shibli and Umm al-Ghanam.

About halfway along the trail, on the east side of the mountain, you will come to a junction with a blue trail descending on your right. You should continue on the black-marked trail. Shortly after this junction is the corner of a medieval fortress, with the ruins of a corner tower and moat hewn into the rock.

Shortly before the entrance to the churches and the parking lot are the ruins of a Crusader stronghold.

View of the basilica of the Franciscan Church of the Transfiguration from the path.

Ruins of the corner tower of a Crusader or Mamluke fortress seen from the path.

Map of the Summit Trail on Mount Tabor

To follow your location on your smart phone, click on https://israelhiking.osm.org.il/share/BcJ9n95ift . Click on the black box with a cross at the top left of the map and it should change color to green. It is not necessary to download the free app unless you wish to.

View of Nazareth from the Summit Trail

Sites of Christian interest:

Visiting the Franciscan Basilica of the Transfiguration

The mountain top is shared by the Franciscan Fathers on its southern aspect and Greek Orthodox monks on its northern aspect. The Franciscan Basilica of the Transfiguration was built in 1924 on the site of a Crusader church. Some of the ruins of this previous church were incorporated into the present building. Two towers in the façade of the church were built to commemorate Moses and Elijah on the foundations of two medieval chapels. In one chapel is a fresco of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments and in the other Elijah confronting the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel.

St. Elias Greek Orthodox Monastery is also usually open to the public. Within their monastery is the Cave of Malchizedek, commemorating the meeting between Abraham and Malchizedek as told in the Book of Genesis. The church and monastery are built over a Crusader church and monastery.

The Basilica of the Transfiguration is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the Galilee and traditionally marks the place where Christians believe the Transfiguration of Jesus took place.

The Transfiguration is described in three gospels when Jesus ascended a “high mountain” together with the three apostles Peter, James and John. Jesus’ face and clothes became radiant with divine light, Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him and a heavenly voice declared: “This is my beloved Son… listen to Him.”

The theological significance of this event is that it reveals Jesus’ divine nature, Jesus’ fulfillment of the law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah), and is a preview of the Resurrection and heavenly glory. The Transfiguration comes immediately before Jesus begins the journey toward Jerusalem and the Crucifixion, and the glory experienced on this mountain strengthens the disciples before suffering comes.

The Franciscans have played a major role in preserving Christian holy places in the Holy Land since the medieval period. This current church was completed in 1924 and was designed by the architect Antonio Barluzzi, who was famous for designing churches throughout the Holy Land. (Other famous Barluzzi churches include the Church of All Nations, Dominus Flevit and the Church of the Beatitudes). Barluzzi designed churches to create emotional and spiritual experiences, not merely functional buildings, and he skillfully incorporates the ruins of previous churches into his design. In this church, Barluzzi intentionally used natural light, reflective stone and glowing mosaics to recreate the supernatural radiance of the Transfiguration.

The two towers symbolize Moses and Elijah and they frame the entrance to Jesus in the center. It is noteworthy that Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai while Elijah encountered God on Mount Horeb/Carmel traditions. Thus, the Transfiguration continues the biblical “mountain revelation” pattern. Moses represents the Torah, covenant, and law, while Elijah represents prophecy, repentance, and expectation of redemption. Together they testify to Jesus’ fulfillment of earlier revelations.

As you enter the premises there are restrooms and a gift shop. The garden on the left is exceptionally pretty. At each side of the church is a stairway to observation points and these are certainly worthwhile ascending.

The church is usually open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 2.00 to 4.30 p.m., on Sunday from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m., and on Monday 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. For information call 04-662 0720.