Meitar Forest

The Noam Rosenthal Lookout. Photograph: Musa Hasson, Meitar Forest Trustee
The Noam Rosenthal Lookout. Photograph: Musa Hasson, Meitar Forest Trustee
Meitar Forest is located at the lower parts of the Yatir Mountains, about 450 meters above the sea. The forest's older part is located in the northern area. The southern area consists of limans spread between fields. The forest's size is about 2,050 acres. It includes pine trees, pistachio trees, acacia trees, mini Eucalyptuses and other tree species.  
  • How to get there

    Entrance through the Meitar Forest Landscape Road, about two kilometers north of the entrance to Kibbutz Kramim and half a kilometer before the Meitar Pass.
  • Entrance fee

    Etrance to the forest is free.
  • Geographic location-

    Mount Negev
  • Area-

    south

About the Park

A trail marked in green goes through the forest. Private vehicles can drive through it, and it crosses the forest from its northern to its southern edges. It is about 13.5 kilometers long, and it reaches all the main sites and recreation areas in the forest. The forest also includes a cycling track, accessible parking spots and archeological sites.
 
Liman trees in the Negev. Photograph: KKL-JNF Photo Archive
Liman trees in the Negev. Photograph: KKL-JNF Photo Archive
 
The forest is a part of KKL-JNF's network of community forests. Recently, KKL-JNF has approached the residents of Meitar and asked them how the experience of traveling in the forest can be upgraded. One suggestion was to add walking trails in the southern forest. This led to a renovation of the Limans' Trail, which is 4 kilometers long, with a view of the limans (a watering system based on rainwater).
 
The Noam Rosenthal Lookout. Photograph: Musa Hasson, Meitar Forest Trustee
The Noam Rosenthal Lookout. Photograph: Musa Hasson, Meitar Forest Trustee
 
In the northern part of the forest is the Noam Rosenthal lookout. The old fire lookout tower in the site has been recreated and signs explaining the area's history were added.
Pistachio Tree. Photograph: Musa Hasson, Meitar Forest Trustee
Pistachio Tree. Photograph: Musa Hasson, Meitar Forest Trustee