מערת נזר

Nezer Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Sahlavim BeManara Nature Reserve. Southwest of Qiryat Shemona. 886 between Yiftah and Menara. (33.1724272, 35.5448531)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	A= 658 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Nezer Cave,
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

2017	the Czech professional rock climber Adam Ondra climbs the first 9a in Israel in the Nezer Cave.

Description

מערת נזר (Nezer Cave) is a cave ruin, an overhanging cliff face which is semicircular. Most likely there was once a huge almost circular cave chamber, but most of the ceiling and at least half of the walls collapsed and was eroded. The inner circle of this chamber, about 5 m from the wall, is overgrown with bushes, which is quite exceptional in the semi-arid area. There are spectacular flowers and a great diversity of plants, which is most likely a result of the cave ruin. The form of this shelter keeps the inside cooler and more humid than the outside, which is responsible for th growth of the plants.

The overhanging cave wall seems to be quite popular among climbers, the site is listed on numerous climbing portals. Probably the climbers are so enthusiastic, because the wall is slightly overhanging, with several almost horizontal overhangs, which is a degree of difficulty which is rare in nature. Except if the cliff is actually the ceiling of a cave chamber, of course. Here are between 30 and 50 routes of extremely difficult grades. The routes have difficulties between 6b and 8c, with 7 of 33 routes in grade 8b. Other websites give different numbers, but the general idea is the same. And as we said, the temperature is lower and its more humid, which makes climbing less exhausting. Its even possible to find some routes fully shaded. The climbers keep the area right in front of the cliff face clear from plants but also from rubbish. As a result, non-climbers can also easily visit the cave.

In December 2017, the Israeli climber Ofer Blutrich invited the Czech professional rock climber Adam Ondra to climb in the Nezer Cave. The short film Beyond Conflicts documents Adam's trip to Israel and shows how the first 9a in Israel was climbed by Adam. You can find it on youTube, the film also gives an impression on the cave. The route was named Climb Free to emphasize that climbing should be free for everyone and not dependent on country, religion, gender or ethnicity.

The cave is hard to reach, though it is easily accessed from the road on a 10-minute downhill walk. The problem is the location quite remote in the mountains near the Lebanese border, not far from Israels northernmost city Kiryat Shmona. The city is currently significantly damaged due to Hezbollah missile attacks and the citizens were evacuated [2024]. In other words, this is not exactly the place where you want to make holidays.