Gadur Beach and the Tel Gadur Nature Reserve

Sea legend: every legend told here, from the heart of the mound, sounds different. One of them, told among veteran sailors, says that from here one can see Neptune's chariot to the sea in Greek mythology. Those in the know say that the sea is rough for several days and does not calm. Toward sunset, after a continuous storm, along the horizon line, a chariot pulled by two white horses emerges, like a cloud. The chariot rises from the depths of the sea, with Neptune standing upon it, holding his trident in his hand. The two white horses race across the raging waters—where the chariot's wheels touch, the sea calms and rests. Then sharp-eyed observers discover the sea maidens, who emerge with singing—quietly, laughing—and play in the calm waters. The narrator swears that he sees all of this in advance from the amazing cliff, which sits in the Tel Gadur Nature Reserve, about 33 meters above the waves. The kurkar cliff and the reserve continue into the sea into a line of rocks on which the waves crash. This is the highest point in the area; the view from it is magnificent, but it requires only a light effort to climb up the steep path to the top of the kurkar hill. A spot worth having coffee outdoors while you're up at the top will wait for you: a concrete slab on which you can place the coffee setup/cafetiere. Along the way, in season, you can see the blooming of the sea lily (Chalaka) and in spring, the blooming of the coastal night lily. Below stretches one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, called—somehow—"the Chinese Beach" (it's not clear why the place is called that). If you decide to bring music, it's highly recommended that it be quiet, mournful music so it won't interfere with hearing the waves. Gadur Beach—on the descent from the Gadur path—there's a pristine and enchanting beach, surrounded by impressive cliffs that make it a hidden beach reminiscent of Thailand's beaches. The huge rocks blending with the clear turquoise waters turn Gadur Beach into a location. Want to find a quiet corner on the beach? Go right or left on the Gadur path above the beach, and you'll find points where you can descend to two empty, peaceful beaches. Gadur Beach. Photo: Aviv Betson