Routes and Rates
At the border between Haifa and Tirat Carmel, there is an impressive cliff with a pair of caves offering a breathtaking view of the sea in an area surrounded by blooming carpets in spring. The caves can be reached in several ways: the short version for hikers is a walk of about a quarter of an hour from the outskirts of Tirat Carmel, and for walking enthusiasts, there is a gentle descent from the Ramat Begin neighborhood.
In the first hiking option, it is a very short route (round trip) to the caves themselves and back, while in the second option, a car shuttle is required (a second car parked and waiting for us at the finish point to return us to the starting point).
Additionally, it should be noted that experienced hikers can also descend through the Amir River (or Ovadia River), reach the caves, and ascend back via the dirt road to Ramat Begin.
The Ovadia Caves consist of two halls connected by two passages. The halls are high and well-lit, so there is no need for a flashlight to wander around, and there is no need to bend down. The cave is relatively deep, and it is possible to “walk” about 15 meters inside. When we enter, we will discover that the passage from this cave leads to another cave whose external opening is blocked by cactus bushes. Remnants of stone fences in the area indicate that the place has been used in recent generations as sheep pens. Older findings discovered in the cave showed that the cave was in use even during the prehistoric period.
The cave’s opening offers an impressive view of the surrounding nature and a view of the sea. The keen-eyed among us will notice the ancient Atlit fortress on the coast.
The short route: Visiting the Ovadia Caves (about 300 m walk)
From the starting point at the bend of Haraduf Street in Tirat Carmel, next to a basketball court (marked on the map with the letter P, note that there are two P markings on the map), we will see the entrance to the large cave at the foot of a small cliff on the slope. A marked blue walking path (a blue stripe between two white stripes) will lead us to the foot of the cave, and a “transparent” trail marking (two white stripes without a colored stripe in between) will complete our way to the cave (marked on the map in green, and the path itself is marked on the map in red). The slope leading to the caves is rocky and requires careful walking.
After we have admired the caves and the view, we will return from here the same way to Tirat Carmel.
The route for walking enthusiasts: From Ramat Begin to the Ovadia Caves (about 3 km).
At the beginning of Beny Brith Street in Haifa (the bend where Soroka Street turns into Beny Brith Street, marked on the map with the letter P, note that there are two P markings on the map), a good dirt road branches westward, quickly changing to a rough road suitable for off-road vehicles, but also very comfortable as a walking trail (marked on the map as a blue route).
Initially, we will walk a short section in a pine forest and soon emerge into an open woodland view rich in wildflowers – anemones, irises, daisies, and others (blooming in pink-purple). Here and there, we will see remnants of old green trail markings. From the main road, short dead-end paths branch off, and at each such junction, we will choose the left turn and proceed with a gentle descent westward, with the blue sea in front of us, and we may even notice the Atlit fortress to the south. After about a kilometer and a half of gentle descent, the path passes by the edge of an abandoned quarry and rocky surfaces. In this area, several herbs such as three-leaved sage and striped thyme stand out. The path descends in several bends, and before we reach the foot of the ridge, we will encounter a black trail marking coming from the Amir River stream. For those interested in a slightly more challenging walk, it is possible to turn left with this marking to reach the Ovadia Caves, but it is necessary to follow the marking carefully as it passes through high vegetation and sometimes disappears. For everyone else, it is better to descend all the way down and meet a road in the north-south direction. On this road, we will turn left , at the edge of an abandoned military camp, and after about half a kilometer, we will reach the foot of the Ovadia Caves (marked on the map in green). We will jump for a short visit to the caves and exit to the bend of Haraduf Street in Tirat Carmel.
Difficulty level – Easy (the route is downhill). The access to the Ovadia Caves themselves is rocky and requires careful walking.
Walking duration – the short route – visiting the caves only: about half an hour.
The walking route from Ramat Begin to the caves: about two hours.
Directions:
The short route: If we choose to settle for the Ovadia Caves only, we will exit from the Carmel Tunnels westward. At the Haifa South interchange, we will turn according to the signs towards Route 4 and Tirat Carmel. After 2.3 km, at the northern entrance intersection to Tirat Carmel, we will turn left onto Herzl Street. After 800 m, we will turn left at the third roundabout onto Mutzkin Street, where we will drive for another half a kilometer and turn left onto Haraduf Street. In 300 m, we will reach the bend of the street in front of the Ovadia Caves, here we will park and look for the blue trail marking near the basketball court.
The long route: If we choose to take the long route, we will first leave a car in Tirat Carmel (as described above) and then drive back to Route 4, turn right towards Haifa, and after about a kilometer and a half, turn right at the traffic light onto Pinchas and Avraham Rothenberg Street. On this street, we will continue until we join Freud Road, where we will ascend to the center of Horev intersection. At the Horev intersection, we will turn right, and at the third traffic light, we will turn right again onto Lionel Watson Street. After 300 m on Watson, we will turn right onto Soroka Street, and after another 570 m, we will reach the Soroka – Beny Brith junction – the starting point.
For those coming from the south, they should reach the Haifa South interchange and continue according to the directions above.
*The information is provided as a public service; the details mentioned in the article may change from time to time.