The Mandatory Period Train Tunnel

During the British Mandate in Palestine (Eretz Israel), with the onset of the Second World War, the need arose for a land continuum between the Middle East and Europe. The British, with the help of thousands of workers (Australians, New Zealanders, and South Africans, alongside men of Eretz Israel) laid down the track for a rail line between Haifa, Beirut and Tripoli in Lebanon. Through a super-human effort of only one-year's work, the men bore the tunnels into the rock of Rosh Hanikra, suspended 15 bridges along the route of the railroad track and built supporting walls to fend off the sea waves. Two of the tunnels with a combined length of about 200 meters were quarried into the cliff of Rosh Hanikra and a bridge was suspended above the big grotto-opening between the two tunnels. Between the years 1943 to 1948, the railroad tracks that passed through the tunnels served the British for their military needs. In the summer of 1944, Jewish refugees from the concentration camps were brought to Israel by means of the train that passed through the Rosh Hanikra tunnels. They were exchanged for German citizens of Templar extraction who were living in Eretz Israel whose sons served in the Nazi army. To prevent the passage of Lebanese weapons and soldiers into the territory of the country slated to arise, fighters of the Carmeli division of the Haganah blew up the bridge suspended above the big grotto opening on a stormy night in March 1948.

The story about blowing up the train bridge as told by the company commander Ya'akov Pundak ("Fox") from Regiment 21 of the Carmeli Division: "I remember the night when we blew up the train bridge at Rosh Hanikra. It was a rainy and dark winter night. We set out from Hanita, about 30 comrades, loaded down with satchels full of explosives. We made our way through the fields. At Rosh Hanikra, there was a British police station whose job it was to guard the railroad track. We reached the train tunnel, ready to set off the charge. Luckily, the tunnel was left unguarded – I knew that on such a stormy night the British would not leave the comfort of the station.

We reached the train bridge. The bridge was narrow and sea waves were raging underneath it. Having no choice, I decided to place the explosives-laden satchels above the bridge, next to the concrete railguard facing the sea.    

After all was readied, an electric charge was attached to the explosives, and we all went down to the train tunnel. The sapper lit the fuse and we waited for the explosion.  The explosion was heard with a thunderous roar – our goal was achieved."

Lookout Point – Mitzpor, Bird's-eye Lookout

This is a lookout point commanding a view of the entire northern coastline of Israel – binoculars are highly recommended.

On days with good visibility, you can even see the sea promenade reaching all the way to Achziv, view Nahariya, Acre, the Krayot (satellite cities of Haifa) and Haifa itself.

With a view directed to the sea, you can look at the isles of Rosh Hanikra: Techelet ("Light Blue"), Shachaf ("Seagull"), Nachlieli ("Wagtail") and farther on the isles of Achziv: Achziv and Sgavion (the isle of Sgavion is named for Sgavion, the head of the synagogue at Achziv at the time of the Mishnah).

The islands are a focal point for nesting birds, among which is the Nachlieli or Wagtail bird. The isles have been classified as a nature reserve.

The isles of Achziv together with the isles of Rosh Hanikra are a single geological unit. The isles are top of the western calcareous (Kurkur) mountain range of the Galilee coastal plain. They were formed as a result of an abrasion process, causing the destruction of the calcareous ridge and the resulting eastward retreat of the coast.    

The Elephant Leg
The Elephant Leg is a natural "statue" of great dimensions created by the sea in the calcareous rock, having the shape of an elephant leg. It is the continuation of the white cliff that descends to the sea. The Elephant Leg is immediately visible upon exiting the grotto track heading southward.

The Fossilized Cliff
On the white cliff coming out of the grotto track, you can find fossil traces of starfish. For the visiting children, we recommend climbing up cautiously in order to count the number of visible fossilized traces.  

Border Crossing: Israel - Lebanon  
One can see the gate of the western border separating Israel from Lebanon, view the sea on the Lebanese side, and learn that at this point, the geographical distance to Beirut is less than to Jerusalem … 120 kilometers to Beirut versus 200 kilometers to Jerusalem.   

The border crossing is at the northern corner, at the upper end of the tourist site.
 

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