Majrase – Betiha Nature Reserve – Visitors Guide with Photos
Majrase – Betiha Nature Reserve, by the Sea of Galilee, offers a short and easy water track that perfectly suits the hot days.
Map
Water flowing from Golan Heights on its way to the Sea of Galilee passes through the Majrase – Betiha Nature Reserve. And this nature reserve is located close to the Sea of Galilee.
On the map above, you can see Betiha Nature Reserve in the top right corner. And here is an interactive map.
Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit
Interactive map of the area:
Tracks
As you can see from the following track map (part of the official brochure you receive at the entrance), there are two tracks.
| Track Name | Length | Approximate Duration | Accessible | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Wet Track | about 800 meters | 90 minutes | No | One directional |
| The Dry Route | about 800 meters | 10 minutes | Yes. You can use it to reach an accessible entrance to one of the bigger pools. |
Since the wet track is one-directional, you will probably start with it and then return using the dry track.
Note: you can click on the map to enlarge it.
Accessible Trail
The dry path is an accessible trail. You can take the paved path from the parking and continue along the river. There is also an accessible entrance to one of the bigger pools.
Opening Hours
Sunday – Thursday and Saturday: 8:00 – 17:00 (16:00 in winter).
Friday: 8:00 – 16:00 (15:00 in winter).
On holiday eves, usually 8:00 – 13:00.
Note: Since the pandemic, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority has started limiting the number of people in each park. Thus, reservations are recommended through the official site (you can find the link below).
Entrance Fee
Adult – 28 NIS, child – 14 NIS, and student – 24 NIS. Free for National Parks annual subscribers.
If you visit several National Parks, consider purchasing a combo ticket. For additional information, see National Parks and Nature Reserves.
Note: opening hours and ticket prices were updated in December 2022. In any case, recheck the official site before visiting.
When to Visit Majrase – Betiha Nature Reserve?
You can walk in the river during Spring, Summer, and Autumn. But since the water is cold, I suggest picking a warmer day during these seasons. And if you are not planning on entering the water, you can visit this nature reserve all year round.
Also, since it is a popular nature reserve, visit early on Saturdays and holidays. Otherwise, there will be traffic jams on the wet track.
Note: lightning fire on the premises of this nature reserve is prohibited.
What is the Water Depth at Majrase – Betiha Nature Reserve?
At the beginning of the wet track, the water is relatively shallow (20 – 40 cm). Further ahead, there are two pools, and the water depth is about one meter.
Basic Info
Majrase – the Daliyot stream flows down from the Golan into the Sea of Galilee from the northeast. At the inlet of the stream, is the “wet route.” It is marked as a blue trail – a section of about 800 m of walking through the stream, suitable for a spring, summer, or fall. At the end of the route, it is possible to return to the starting point by the “dry route” and enjoy the nature reserve and its views without walking through water. The “dry route” is also suitable for winter hikes. At the start of the Majrase route, there are washrooms and changing rooms for visitors, drinking water, and a shaded area for picnics. Lighting fires are prohibited. There is an entrance fee for the nature reserve.
Note: unless stated otherwise, all quotes were taken from the official site.
The Wet Track
The length of the wet route is about 800 meters. We used the wet track, which includes walking in water and partly swimming in one direction. And then returned to the entrance via the dry path.
Also, keep in mind that the water amount in the river delta changes according to the season. Thus, the wet trail might be closed during the winter. But, since the water is cold, the Majrase is suitable for hotter days.
As you start walking, the water is freezing, and it takes time to get used to.
Majrase – Betiha Nature Reserve is beloved by families with children. I guess there are three main reasons:
- Length – it is a short trail. Thus, children can walk the whole track without getting tired.
- Water – it makes walking fun and not hot. Moreover, children do not need deep water to swim.
- Big picnic area – after completing the route, you can have a picnic in this nature reserve.
Here are several additional photos from the first part of the wet track:
As you can see in the first part of the Wet Route, the water is relatively shallow. It is about 20 – 40 cm deep.
Though the Wet track is mostly shaded and not hot while walking, it is still better to come early. The later you arrive, the more people there will be.
We arrived at Betiha Nature Reserve at around 10:00, and this is how it looked at the more dense points.