The Upper Galilee (Hebrew: הגליל העליון HaGalil HaElyon, Arabic: الجليل al-Jalīl) is a northern region of Israel.
The Galilee, apart from the Western Galilee, the Galilee Panhandle and the Sea of Galilee region, can be separated into the Upper Galilee and the Lower Galilee. It is generally a forested highland area with relatively sparse population. Its landscape and historical associations make it a great draw for the traveller.
The Upper Galilee consists of rugged forested hills, of which the highest of Mount Meron, with an elevation of 1208 m. From Mount Meron, the landscape gradually slopes down on the east and west towards the Mediterranean Sea and Sea of Galilee. To the north, the Upper Galilee continues (geographically speaking) into Lebanon. To the south, there is a sudden descent to the Lower Galilee, where the highest peaks are around 500 m. Route 85, the east-west road running at the foot of this descent, is generally considered the practical boundary between Upper and Lower Galilee.
Many bus routes cross and serve the Galilee, e.g. between Tiberias and Haifa, Akko or Nahariyya.
Rosh Pina Airport (IATA: RPN). 2019-06-11
There is frequent bus service between each of the 10 or so significant cities in the Galilee. However, if you want to go to a village, kibbutz, or out-of-the-way natural or historic site, bus service can be quite sparse and inconvenient.
The Galilee has a good road system. But expect traffic even in rural areas, particularly on weekends and holidays when many people from central Israel drive here for a quick vacation.
Hitch-hiking is definitely an option and easy along the non-highway roads, also where buses are sparse. Due to high concentration of Arab and Druze villages, it is also more likely to get picked up. Jewish Israelis are more wary nowadays, which in other parts of the country can be an issue when hitch-hiking.
A number of Druze villages have an interesting culture.
Baram synagogue, 33.0429°, 35.41458°. Remains of a large synagogue from about the 3rd century. The two-story monumental carved facade is well preserved. Located 20 km (driving distance) northwest of Safed.
Buqe'a (Pekiin), 32.976989°, 35.335082°. An old mixed village with Druze, Christian and Jewish sites.
Jish (Gush Halav), 33.022497°, 35.446825°. The only surviving Maronite village in Israel, with Roman and Talmudic remains.
Meron, 32.98097°, 35.44081°. A village near Safed, the traditional burial place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Once a year on "Lag beOmer" (around May), hundreds of thousands of Israelis gather to Meron to celebrate the rabbi and his legacy of kabbalistic learning.
Mount Meron, 32.997595°, 35.412201°. Israel's highest mountain, if excluding the Golan Heights, at 1208 meters above sea level with several hiking trails. It has hiking trails and a great view. The Jewish village of Meron and the Druze villages of Beit Jan and Hurfeish are in its foothills. Admission free
Montfort Castle, 33.0443627°, 35.2266088°. A fortress built by the Crusaders during the times of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in Israel. The fortress is built on a narrow and steep cliff above the southern bank of Keziv stream in the upper Galilee region.
Tefen Open Museum, 32.980305°, 35.274267°. Su-Th 09:00-17:00, Sa 10:00–17:00. Includes the Old Car Collection, Art Gallery, the German-Speaking Jewry Heritage Museum, the Sculpture Garden and the Art of Industry Museum. ₪22
Yehiam Fortress National Park, 32.9941°, 35.2219°, +972 4-827660. winter 08:00-16:00, summer 08:00-17:00, closing one hour earlier on Fridays and eve of holidays. Ruins of an impressive fortress, both from the Crusader and Ottoman periods. They also have camp sites available (₪42/32/25 adult/child/student, +972 4-827660). ₪14/12/7 adult/student/child
The picturesque Galilee landscapes are covered by a dense network of hiking trails. See Hiking and backpacking in Israel for more details.
Many visitors to the Upper Galilee sleep in a tzimmer - a kind of bed-and-breakfast place run out of a private house. Pretty much every town and village in the Galilee has a few of these.