| State: | Israel |
Nahal Hatzor (Hebrew: '''נחל חצור''')is an intermittent stream located in the Upper Galilee within a nature reserve spanning 4,500 dunams. It begins near Mount Ben Zimra on the Dalton Plateau and initially flows northeast before continuing southeast. In the past, Nahal Hatzor flowed into the southern end of the Hula Valley before it was drained.[1]
In the central part of the stream, there is a canyon with many caves, including "Alma Cave," which has a large entrance that branches into large passages filled with stalactites and stalagmites. East of the canyon, the stream bed follows a geological fault line. It crosses low hills made of limestone and, passing through Tel Hatzor and Kibbutz Ayelet HaShahar, the stream flows into the Jordan River. The cliff has caves and niches resembling windows, which is why the stream's Arabic name is "Wadi Ashbabik"—the Window Stream. Most of the caves were formed through karstic dissolution processes, but some were carved by humans for dwelling and living purposes. The central part of the stream contains remnants indicating significant human activity in the past, including ancient quarries and residential caves. To the north of the stream lie the ruins of the ancient settlement of Marot.[2]
In the upper part of the stream grows a very developed Mediterranean forest, with the predominant trees being the Pistacia terebinthus. Among the many shrubs found in and around the stream, various flower species grow, including orchids, squills, and an abundance of cyclamens and anemones. In the lower part, where the stream crosses Highway 90 (Rosh Pina-Kiryat Shmona Road), there are many hills with Christ's Thorn Jujube and White Acacia trees. Near the point where the stream crosses the highway, the elegant Iris blooms in spring. At the same location, the Hatzor Springs emerge, surrounded by very rich and dense vegetation. On the cliffs of the stream, vultures, long-legged buzzards, ravens, and kestrels nest.[3]