Routes and Rates
Located at the northern entrance to Atlit, Khirbat Qarta is a small and charming nature reserve offering views of the sea, archaeological sites, and diverse flora. The circular trail is approximately one hour long at a leisurely pace.
After arriving, park at the Limor parking lot (marked with a P on the map). Next to the on-site kiosk, enter the eucalyptus grove and cross it westward (through the dry bed of the Oren Wadi) towards the Nature and Parks Authority sign at the entrance to the reserve. Here, join the blue trail (along which are occasionally numbered signs, remnants of a time when information leaflets were distributed to visitors in the reserve). Ascend a short, steep incline towards the water reservoir at the top of the ridge, where a short flight of stairs completes the ascent to the reservoir’s roof. From here, a breathtaking 360-degree view unfolds, but the most impressive element is the Atlit fortress visible to the west. This fortress is considered one of the strongest fortresses built by the Crusaders in Israel, and their last stronghold in the country. A short time after the fall of Acre in 1291 to the Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Ibn Qalawun, the Crusaders abandoned Atlit without a fight and sailed from here to Cyprus – ending 193 years of Crusader rule in Israel (interrupted only for a few years after the defeat of the Karni Hittim). Today, the fortress is located within a closed military area, and we are left only to admire the breathtaking view (marked in blue on the map).
The salt ponds, which collect seawater, are also very prominent in the landscape. This is one of two main complexes in the country used for salt production, and in the winter, there is an abundance of wintering waterfowl here, including magnificent pink flamingo flocks. To our north, we can see the Oren Wadi, the watchtowers of the Atlit immigrant camp, and in the background, the city of Haifa. To the east, Mount Carmel stands out (and especially the Ashkelon Tower at the University of Haifa), and to the south, the chimneys of the Hadera power station.
Next to the water reservoir is a trail junction, with a black-marked trail leading to a parking lot west of the hill. We will continue along the ridge, which is full of seasonal blooms throughout most of the year – crocuses, daffodils, irises, poppies, and more – each in its season. Soon, we will see openings resembling caves carved into the side of the trail (marked in green on the map). A closer look reveals that these are actually Crusader-era stables, with carved troughs for horses inside the halls. Why were the stables built here on the ridge? A short walk south will reveal the remains of a small Crusader fortress – the Duster (or La-Detroit) fortress. Here was a guard post that controlled a strategic passage connecting the Atlit fortress with the main road. The fortress was destroyed in a Muslim attack in 1220 (marked in purple on the map). This fortress is now known as Khirbat Qarta.
A short distance south lies a carved tomb, followed by a carved passage through the rock in an east-west direction (marked in brown on the map), providing convenient access for carts to the Atlit fortress. Here, turn left and reach a blue-green trail junction. Continue left along the blue marking, and at the end of the ridge, turn left again and walk down to the base of the ridge to the north. Near the base of a small green sign, raise your eyes to the left and see strange markings carved into the upper chalk cliff, resembling a circle and a tilted stick. Here, in fact, the letters ‘ayin’ and ‘tet’ are inscribed in ancient Phoenician script. It is worth mentioning that the historical name of Atlit is unknown, and the site is not mentioned in the Bible. Did the ancients try to carve the name of the city here? We do not know. The letters carved into the rock sparked the imagination of the Arabs of the area, who told stories of a Muslim dervish, a music lover, who wandered the area with a drum and two sticks, spreading the message of Islam. In this area, he met idol worshippers who were angered by him and wanted to kill him. The dervish prayed to his God, and a miracle occurred when he found refuge in the rock and emerged unharmed. For those who do not believe the story, the drum and two sticks can still be seen carved into the rock today. (Marked in red on the map).
Near and north of the carved markings are beehives, which are carefully avoided from the right and re-enter the Limor grove on our way back to the car (for those interested, there are a few children’s play facilities in the southern part of the grove).
Difficulty level – easy. The ascent from Nahal Oren to the water pool observation point is short and steep, and the rest of the trail is comfortable (not suitable for wagons). For those interested in a less steep ascent, you can go up to the observation deck from the western parking lot.
Estimated walking time – about an hour on a circular route.
Directions to Horbat Kara
From the Carmel tunnels we will go west to the Haifa South interchange and continue on the coastal road until the Atlit interchange. At the interchange we will turn to the left at the intersection after the interchange (if you continue straight, after about half a kilometer – before the traffic light – you reach another kurkar parking lot from which you can go up to Horbat Kara on the Black Trail), and about 100 meters south of the gas station we will turn right to the Limor parking lot – the starting point.
The road is relatively busy, so when exiting the Limor parking lot, it is recommended to turn right and turn back around the first roundabout in Atlit.
To reach this route from the south, take the coastal road to the Atlit interchange and continue as described above.