Nahal Hamdal

Golan Heights

Rappelling down the 4th waterfall.

The route type:

Rappelling trip.

The first dry fall is not equipped at all and other three are equipped with some anchors. *

You have to be able to built rappelling station on a natural relief. Have some slings up to 4m long.

The canyon is dry all the year round but be aware about floods during winter rains.

In the winter pools of water may occur under some of the waterfalls.

Attention: the last rappelling is through some kind of thorny poisonous plants. Any scratch gets covered with bubbles and doesn't heal up for a long time!

Wear long sleeves and trousers from a thick fabric.

Getting there:

Drive on the road number 90 in Kiriat Shmona direction to Mahanaim junction and turn right to the road number 91. Drive east to Gadot junction and turn left to the road number 918.

Drive on the road number 918 to the north. Between 25 and 26 km distance mark you will cross the nahal Hamdal bed. Drive 300m more to the north and park your car on the dirt road that branches to the right. Here the route starts.

The route map:

View of nahal Hamdal canyon from the trail back

Route description:

Follow the dirt road in the east direction. After a half hour of easy walking up the road you will come across a trail marked with blue marks.

Turn right to the trail and follow it. After 400m the trail crosses nahal Parash river-bed and after another 500m it comes across nahal Hamdal bed.

Down in the canyon turn right - the rappelling trip starts here with negotiating the first waterfall.

GPS coordinates of this point: 33° 05' 47.1" N; 35° 39' 17.8" E

There are 4 waterfalls to be abseiled.

1. 8m - vertical, last 2m with overhang

In the winter the rappelling may end in the water.

No prepared anchors!*

Bring your own rope loops to set the station. It is possible to set the station on some boulders

in 10-12m from the edge.

1st waterfall rappelling station

The 1st waterfall

2. 25m - sloping, no overhangs

In the winter the rappelling may end in the water.

There is one bolt with a metal ring to pull the rope and on old piton.*

2nd waterfall rappelling station

Rappelling down the 2nd waterfall

The 2nd waterfall

3. 18m - sloping, no overhangs

There is one bolt with a metal ring to pull the rope and there are some cracks in the left wall suitable for stoppers and knots.*

3rd waterfall rappelling station

Rappelling down the 3rd waterfall

The 3rd waterfall

Going between 3rd and 4th waterfalls

4. 30m - vertical with a ledge in the middle

Bring your own rope loops to set the station. It is possible to set the station on some boulders

in 9-12m from the edge.*

It is preferable to rappel from the left side of the stream bed to avoid the very dense vegetation during the rappelling.

There is very dense vegetation all the way below the ledge. Be aware: it may cause problems while pulling the rope.

Attention: the rappelling is through some kind of thorny poisonous plants. Any scratch gets covered with bubbles and doesn't heal up for a long time!

Wear long sleeves and trousers from a thick fabric.