Jerusalem District

Views, Peaks & Caves

This collection traverses the Judean Mountains and Jerusalem corridor, highlighting geological wonders like the Soreq stalactite cave and the B'nai B'rith memorial cave. It features strategic historical sites including the ancient city of Tel Adullam, the Hasmonean ruins of Horvat Tura, and the significant 20th-century battlegrounds of Radar Hill and Sha'ar HaGai. Panoramic lookouts offer expansive vistas over the Elah and Ayalon Valleys, connecting visitors to the region's biblical landscapes and modern history.

Views, Peaks & Caves — Map

A

Soreq Cave

Avshalom Cave, known in academic literature as Soreq Cave and popularly as Stalactites Cave, is a 5,000 m2 cave on the western side of Mt.

B

Bayt 'Itab

Bayt ʿIṭāb was a Palestinian Arab village located in the Jerusalem Subdistrict.

C

Mrt bny bryt

A large natural cave in the Martyrs' Forest serving as a memorial to Holocaust victims, located along the bank of the Kesalon Stream.

D

Tel Adullam

Adullam is an ancient ruin once numbered among the thirty-six cities of Canaan whose kings "Joshua and the children of Israel smote".

E

The Radar hill

A strategic hilltop in Har Adar featuring a memorial and observation tower. It served as a British radar station and was the site of significant battles in 1948 and 1967.

F

Har Yaala

A 622-meter peak in the Judean Mountains featuring a fire lookout tower with views over the Soreq Valley and the coastal plain.

G

David & Goliath Lookout

Scenic observation point overlooking the Elah Valley, the biblical site of the battle between David and Goliath.

H

Nqwdt tzpyt

Observation point near Mevaseret Zion providing views of the Arazim Valley and the main mountain pass leading into Jerusalem.

I

Ofer Schwarz lookout

A memorial lookout near Eshtaol providing panoramic views of the Judean foothills and the central coastal plain.

J

Nefto'ach lookout

Located on the slopes above the historic village of Lifta, this viewpoint overlooks the Arazim Valley and the western entrance to Jerusalem.

K

Uzrar Mountain

A peak near Mevo Horon offering views of the Ayalon Valley and the transition between the Judean Hills and the lowlands.

L

Beitar Lookout

Observation point overlooking the Refaim Valley and the archaeological remains of Betar, the final fortress of the Bar Kokhba revolt.

M

Ayalon lookout

Viewpoint providing a wide panorama of the Ayalon Valley, the Latrun area, and the surrounding agricultural plains.

N

Tura ruins

Archaeological remains of an ancient fortress on a steep hill above the Soreq Stream, often identified with the Hasmonean-era Tur Shimon.

O

Sheikh es Salihi

A hilltop site near Netiv HaLamed-Heh featuring an ancient tomb and views of the Elah Valley and the Judean foothills.

P

Sha'ar HaGai lookout

Lookout over the strategic Sha'ar HaGai pass, the historic gateway to Jerusalem and site of heavy fighting during the 1948 War of Independence.

Q

Gsr hrkbt

Observation point overlooking the high-speed railway bridge spanning the Arazim Valley, one of the tallest bridges in Israel.

R

Pinat Ofer

A memorial lookout in the Aminadav Forest near Yad Kennedy, offering views of the surrounding Jerusalem hills and valleys.