International Ranger Day, marked on Thursday (July 31), served as a painful reminder: Over 170 rangers around the world have been killed this year in the line of duty. These tragic incidents included deaths in massive wildfires, deadly floods, and violent confrontations with illegal poachers. Against this backdrop, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority salutes its field rangers and shares their exclusive travel recommendations.
"International Ranger Day is much more than a date on the calendar," explains Ilan Rosh, Head of Operations at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and Vice President of the European Ranger Federation. "It is a day dedicated to recognizing the immense importance of rangers worldwide, their tireless work in protecting nature, and the heavy price they often pay in carrying out their duties."
The Trail That Got His Wife Excited on Social Media
Naal Daabous, director of the Yehudiya site, was born and raised in Ein Qiniyye in the Golan Heights, surrounded by streams and water. This year, due to the closure of several sites because of the war, he went with his family on a new trail for them in the Majrasa Nature Reserve—and discovered a refreshing surprise.
"The wet trail at Majrasa is an amazing experience. The cool water and the shaded path make it a perfect family outing," says Naal. "My wife, who visited for the first time, was thrilled—she couldn’t stop taking pictures of the scenery and posted them on Instagram, which made a lot of people curious about the place."
The wet trail is a unique 800-meter walk through the cool stream. Along the way, there’s also the option to return via a "dry trail" with wonderful views of the pastoral landscape.
From the Mediterranean to Coral Reefs
Guy Lavian, who supervises fishing along the central coastline, reveals that despite his intense work in the Mediterranean, when he goes on vacation he always returns to the Coral Beach Reserve in Eilat.
"I’ve always felt a deep connection to the sea since my first dive at age nine," says Guy. "Working at sea allows me to combine my personal passion for nature with an environmental mission." He especially loves the tropical reefs in Eilat—the northernmost coral reefs in the world—and recommends visiting during the Sukkot holiday, when the temperatures are ideal for snorkeling and diving.
A 6,000-Year-Old Archaeological Discovery
Roi Gilad, a ranger in the Binyamin region, offers a special recommendation for lovers of history and dramatic landscapes: The Nahal Mekuch Reserve. "It’s a dramatic reserve, both in scenery and in history. Among steep cliffs are hidden monasteries from the Byzantine period, remnants from the Hasmonean era, and an ancient warrior’s tomb over 6,000 years old from the Chalcolithic period."
The archaeological tomb, found in one of the caves, is impressively preserved: The warrior lies in a fetal position, dressed in a skirt and leather sandals, with a decorated bow and a long knife beside him—all thanks to the desert climate. The reserve offers a short, family-friendly circular trail, as well as a more challenging 3–4 hour hike for experienced trekkers.
Alongside the recommendations, the Nature and Parks Authority reminds: "We too have a role—to follow the rules of safe hiking, equip ourselves with a hat, water, and sunscreen, and check the trail conditions in advance on the Israel Nature and Parks Authority website."
Israel, through its membership in the European Ranger Federation, is an integral part of the global community of nature protectors. International Ranger Day serves as a reminder that ranger work is dangerous but vital, and a call for greater public recognition and support for the ranger community.