Jelabina Mill is one of the most scenic spots on the eastern end of the Hula Valley. Here, the cold waters of the Jelabun spring once rotated the millstones of the mill. Gardens were fragrant all around: figs, pomegranates, raspberries, mulberries. The mill used the stream's water and directed it through a small aqueduct into a "pipe", where the water, gaining power, brought down all its strength on the blades of a wooden flywheel, setting in motion a sizeable round basalt stone of millstones. Peasants from all over the area came here. Over the entrance to the mill, on the white stone of the arch, skillfully bordering the basalt alcove, was depicted as "hamsa" - a sign of happiness and good luck. Unfortunately, the Syrian authorities, who chose the Golan Heights as a spot for provocations against Israel, initiated constant clashes along the border. Among them are the Tel Mutila incident, the Hamat Gader incident, the Susita incident, and many others. As a result, the mill stopped grinding flour; the inhabitants were relocated to the depths of the Golan Heights; these places were mined, and ancient springs began to supply military bases and fill pools for Syrian officers. Even the name of the spring Jelabun was abandoned. It's better known as the Officer's Pool. You can get to these places by leaving the car on a country road near the almond tree plantations east of road No. 918, 200 meters north of Shan Bridge. Then walk along the country road. The journey will take about fifteen minutes. At the end of the field, where the country road ends, the red marking of the trail will begin. Here is the end point of the route of the Jelabun reserve (red marking). Cold fresh water, like a waterfall, making its way from the aqueduct, fig trees, and thickets of raspberries and old mulberries, create a unique beauty of this place and is the perfect end to the seven-hour route through the Jelabun reserve.
Gilbon, or Jelabun, is a nature reserve on the western slopes of the Gloan Plateau. Two streams, Gilbon and Eitan, flow on its territory. Gilbon Creek flows into the Jordan River south of the Pkak Bridge, near Highway 918. The entire walking route of the reserve runs from the Dvora Falls parking lot to the Pkak Bridge. There are two waterfalls on the territory of the reserve. The upper waterfall is called Dvora waterfall and is 10 meters high. The lower waterfall is called Gilbon Falls; its height is 42 meters. Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of the ancient Dvor settlement near the waterfall. This settlement belongs to the period of the Mishnah and the Talmud. Gilbon Falls has deep, swimmable pools. At Gilbon Falls, you can end your walk and climb up the blue path. You should plan your route. A country road leads to the beginning of the hike, suitable for all types of vehicles. The road passes through the territory of a reasonably large former Syrian military base. Damaged concrete buildings are visible along the road. The road will have a fork, indicating the start of the Jelabun Creek and Dvora Falls hiking trail (red marking). Traditionally, the route starts from the Dvora waterfall and ends at the Jelabun (Gilbon) waterfall. The length of this route is about four hours. You should leave one of the cars in the parking lot at the Gilbon waterfall and use the other one to return to the parking lot at the beginning of the route - the Dvora waterfall. The entire way involves the passage from the parking lot of the Gilbon waterfall to the Gesher Pkak bridge. This route will take 6-8 hours.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
