Arbel National Park

Having left Kafr Kanna, I enjoyed the solitude as I walked through olive groves and past wildflowers. Once I crossed Hwy 65, I entered Lavi Forest. This forest area covers about 1,800 acres and is recognised for its biodiversity. Established in the 1950s, the forest is named after Rabbi Aryeh Levin, an early 20th-century spiritual leader and social activist. He was referred to as Tzadik (Saint) of Jerusalem for his work for the poor and the sick.

The forest was established as part of a reforestation project featuring a winding trail network. I kept my eyes out for wildlife, hoping to see a rock hyrax either sunning itself or darting between boulders. These little furry mammals remind me of meerkats when standing upright as if on duty. They are the only afrotherian (from Africa) species found in the Middle East.

The trail became more arid, the sun sizzling above with occasional trees stoically surviving in this barren land.

I passed the Karnei Hittin National Park, believed to be the place where the Battle of Hittin took place in 1187. Saladin was a Muslim military commander on a campaign to reconquer the Holy Land that had been captured by the Crusaders ninety years earlier. The battle at Hittin was decisively won by Saladin, recapturing Jerusalem. Saladin had a reputation for being a fierce warrior, but he was also known for his chivalry towards his enemies, his generosity to the poor, and as a patron of the arts and literature. He became the first sultan of Egypt and Syria and is considered one of the greatest military leaders of his time.

I continued my hike to Arbel National Park, where the Arbel Cliff offers the most breathtaking view over the Sea of Galilee. The cliff is part of Mount Arbel, which rises about 1300ft (400m) above sea level.

The cliff of Mount Arbel is home to hundreds of caves, which were formed naturally by erosion. Around the 1st century BC, humans excavated the caves further, turning them into dwellings. Later, the caves were converted into a fortress with secret passages, staircases, halls and cisterns. Sometime in the 1st century AD, the fort was the site of a major battle between the Romans and Jewish rebels. Defeated by the Romans, the rebels abandoned the area. It was largely forgotten until the Middle Ages, when it was used as a place for refuge.

With its 360ft (110m) vertical drop, Mount Arbel's cliff is Israel's only approved base jumping site for high-intensity adventurers. Anyone for a jump? The views would be spectacular.