Haon: Beach, Shoreline Trail, and Historic Traces

Around Haon, different interests come together: the beach at HaOn Holiday Village, a shoreline route between Haon and Maagan, and historic traces in the surrounding area. If you’re looking for hotels for a trip to Haon, you can first consider whether the beach and landscape or the area’s history better suit your plans.

Beach and Shoreline on the Kinneret

The beach at HaOn Holiday Village is shared by guests of the holiday village and campers. It is public and recognized as a designated bathing area. Since the beach status can change, check the latest local notices before your visit.

On the route between Haon and Maagan, the trail follows the shore of the Sea of Galilee through vegetation typical of the area. There are many shaded spots to rest along the way. The trail thus combines views of the shoreline landscape with opportunities to take a break in the shade, without requiring a particular walking time or level of difficulty.

Historic Traces in the Surrounding Area

An old, disused pumping station lies on the route between Haon and Maagan. Water was once pumped there to irrigate the fields. The station therefore represents an earlier use of water in agriculture.

At Haon’s southern boundary, where the Samra Stream flows into the Sea of Galilee, are the “Dragon’s Teeth.” The conical concrete structures were erected by the British during World War II as part of the defense against the Nazis along the border between the British and French Mandates. The pumping station and concrete structures thus point to different historical functions: irrigation of the fields in one case, defense in the other.

Archaeology in the Broader Destination of the Northern District

In the broader destination of the Northern District, Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo are distinct archaeological sites. Tel Hazor is a biblical tell with significant remains of a city associated with the Bible; the visit focuses on the upper city. Tel Hazor includes Solomon’s Gate, with six chambers and two towers dating to the 10th century BCE.

The Canaanite palace from the Late Bronze Age was used by the kings of Hazor in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. It is considered the most elaborate palace in Israel and one of the most significant in the Levant. Tel Hazor’s fortifications are also considered the finest example of their kind in the area from southern Turkey to the northern Negev.

Tel Hazor also preserves significant remains of an underground water-collection system, an ingenious engineering achievement adapted to the geography for storing water. Steps three meters wide are carved into the walls of the vertical shaft of this water system.

Tel Megiddo is one of three tells that preserve significant remains of cities associated with the Bible and are closely connected with biblical events. Its Early Bronze Age temple complex is exceptional in terms of the number of its temples, the continuity of cult activity, and the documented ritual practices. Tel Megiddo’s orthogonal city plan dates from the Iron Age and has few parallels in the Levant.

Discover more destinations: Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Nes Harim, Naham, Sde Eliezer, Moshav Ramot, Metulla, Almagor, Hosen.

For the broader travel overview: Israel.