Mount Gilboa
הר הגלבוע
The biblical site where King Saul fell in battle, with a ridge road overlooking the Jezreel Valley and, in early spring, the purple Gilboa iris.
Mount Gilboa is a limestone ridge along the southeastern edge of the Jezreel Valley. According to the Book of Samuel, King Saul and his son Jonathan were killed here fighting the Philistines. A roughly 28-km scenic road (Route 667) runs along the ridge, with several lookouts over the fields and fishponds of the Jezreel and Beit She'an valleys. On clear days, you can also see Mount Tabor and the Jordanian highlands in the distance. From late February to March each year, the Gilboa Iris Nature Reserve at the summit is covered with deep purple iris blooms, making it one of Israel's most popular spring flower destinations. There is also a Mount Saul lookout and short hiking trails. Admission is free. A car is the most convenient way to get there, and it can be combined with Beit She'an National Park and Gan HaShlosha on the same day. It is about 40 minutes' drive from Nazareth.
Opening hours
Open all day (nature reserve open during daylight hours)
Nearby sights
- Gan HaShlosha National Park (Sakhne)
- Beit She'an National Park
- Belvoir Fortress (Kochav HaYarden)
- Mount Tabor & Church of the Transfiguration
- Mount Precipice
- Tel Megiddo National Park
- Basilica of the Annunciation
- Church of St. Joseph