Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) reopened the Hula Valley nature reserve to the public on Dec. 22 after a period of closure due to the wartime security situation. Spanning approximately 6,000 dunams (1,500 acres) of ecological habitat, the valley is one of Israel’s natural treasures and a key stopover point along the international bird migration route.
Before the war, the valley hosted 400,000 visitors annually, offering the opportunity to observe around 500 bird species recorded at the site.
Each year between November and March, tens of thousands of gray cranes offer a natural display of large flocks flying, feeding and gliding over the water. Alongside a diversity of wildlife and migratory birds, they have made the Hula Valley a key birdwatching site that draws travelers, nature photographers and bird enthusiasts from Israel and abroad.
As part of the reopening, guests can enjoy the newly renovated visitor center, which features a panoramic rooftop observation deck and an innovative VR experience. Guided tours on a camouflaged wagon allow for close-up birdwatching. The site also offers walking and cycling trails.
“The reopening of Hula Valley is far more than just the reopening of a nature site; it is a symbol of resilience and renewal for the entire north,” says Ifat Ovadia-Luski, chairwoman of KKL-JNF. “Over the past year, KKL-JNF workers continued their efforts here under fire, facing severe wildfires. This is the time to thank the residents of the frontline communities; you are the living shield protecting our country.”
She added that the valley served as a field hospital for injured wildlife in the past year and that even during the site’s closure, thousands of cranes continued to arrive as part of their seasonal migration.
“The cranes that have returned here are the best proof that Israeli nature, like the people of Israel, is strong,” she said.
