Rosh Hanikra, Head of the Grottos

May 10th 2017

Rosh Hanikra is situated in the Western Galilee, on the Mediterranean coast, and is on the border with Lebanon.

The History of Rosh Hanikra

The grottos were formed by the movement of the sea on the soft chalk rock and are 200 meters in length.  A tunnel was built by the British during the Second World War for the Haifa-Beirut railroad line and a second tunnel was dug in 1968, both connecting the grottos with each other and allowing access along the former World War Two railroad route. The only access to the grottos was by sea, and for many years only experienced swimmers and divers were able to visit them. Today, there is a cable car to take visitors from the top of the cliff to the tunnels. This cable car, with its 60-degree gradient, is touted as the steepest in the world.

What to Do at Rosh Hanikra

A day at Rosh Hanikra can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Take the cable car down to the grottos, enjoying the beautiful views on the way. Once you’ve reached the bottom, you can take the walking path to the heart of the cliff, where the caves are exposed to the sea, and the views are spectacular. There is a film describing the sea, mountains, and what they have to offer. On Saturdays, a small train with a tour guide can take you on a beautiful 40-minute ride along the sea promenade. Cycling tours are available, as are electric cars. You can purchase attractively priced combination tickets at the ticket office. An Israeli chef restaurant, snack bars, and a souvenir shop are also available. Don’t miss the Lebanese border, a popular photo op for everyone visiting Rosh Hanikra!

The area around Rosh Hanikra includes several nature reserves and the Rosh Hanikra National Park.