Kibbutz Misgav-Am Lookout Point

July 9th 2013

Located on a peak overlooking the Upper Galilee and well beyond, Kibbutz Misgav-Am and its renowned Lookout Point offer jaw-dropping vistas and poignant context.

Kibbutz Misgav-Am was founded on November 2, 1945, when a group of young soldiers climbed from nearby Kibbutz Kfar Giladi to the very top of Naphtali Mountain and established the new community. Initially inhabited exclusively by groups of Israel-raised youth, eventually new immigrants from the US, Europe and South America came to strengthen Misgav-Am in the late 1970s – more than 30 years after its founding.

Today, Misgav-Am remains the northernmost kibbutz in Israel, surrounded on three sides by Israel’s border with Lebanon. Whether standing or seated on the graduated stone steps at the Lookout Point, visitors here delight in the panoramic view. The Hula Valley, the Golan Heights and Mt. Hermon are all visible from the vantage point, high in the Galilee Mountains. Looking towards the west, it is also possible to see straight into Southern Lebanon, and just beyond, if the day is clear, you can also catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea.

To accommodate the many visitors to this scenic spot, the kibbutz recently opened a Visitor’s Center, which includes comfortable indoor seating with a likewise spectacular view, a snack bar and a souvenir stand. A memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Second Lebanon War is currently under construction on the grounds of the Visitor’s Center.

Guided tours offered by local tour guides and kibbutz members review the history of the region, including a discussion of the Zionist values which inform kibbutz life. Tours include a discussion of how Misgav-Am has dealt with the challenge of being in close range of terrorist organizations, how the kibbutz serves as an army base right on Israel’s border with Lebanon and how the Second Lebanon War of 2006 impacted the economy and growth of the communities in Northern Israel.

Located so high in the mountains, summers are pleasant in the area, and in the winter, snow is relatively common. For those who wish to spend more time in the area, Misgav-Am Kibbutz Country Lodge offers 24 private apartments and two romantic suites for couples seeking charming, kibbutz-style accommodations.