From a mysterious cave in the Carmel, through a nature reserve with a breathtaking coastal lookout in the Sharon plain, to a hidden forest near Jerusalem and a Ramon Crater trail perfect for this season: from north to south, here are four short-drive getaway ideasErez Dagan|A beautiful circular trail of about an hour lets hikers enjoy the Carmel’s winter greenery along with a bonus view of the Mediterranean Sea. The highlight is Etsba Cave, a karst cave that visitors can enter with a flashlight to see its stalactites. Note that the cave is blocked and cannot be crossed through to the other side.Places to visit in Israel (Video: Erez Dagan)If children ask how the cave was formed, tell them the local legend about a giant who lived in the Carmel. Searching for honey, he pushed his finger into the cave entrance. The bees inside stung him and his finger swelled so much that he could not pull it out. After a long struggle, he finally freed it, leaving behind an opening shaped like a swollen finger.7 View gallery Etsba 'Finger' Cave (Photo: Erez Dagan)How to hike: From the parking lot, walk west toward the sea on the black trail marker beginning near a pedestrian bridge. Climb the steps until you spot a British guard post from the Atlit detention camp, then continue to Finger Cave. From there, climb to the southern Carmel ridge overlooking moshav Megadim and Prison Six. Shortly after the highest point, turn left onto the black trail marker, not the Israel Trail, and descend toward Oren Stream. Most of the descent is shaded and passes through lovely woodland, but caution is needed due to rocky terrain. After about 30 minutes, you will reach the stream and a Mekorot drilling installation beside a blue trail marker leading to the endpoint.7 View gallery Etsba 'Finger' Cave area (Photo: Courtesy of Erez Dagan)Getting there and details: Enter “Oren River Parking - Carmel Park” in Waze. Free entry. About 1.5 hours, 2.5 km. On Saturdays and holidays, parking costs NIS 36.Where to eat nearby: Amphorae Winery, Cafe Zahara in Ein Carmel, Uma Bar in Zikhron Yaakov, Schwartzman Dairy in Bat Shlomo and Truck BaMoshava in Bat Shlomo.Between Herzliya and Netanya lies a beautiful nature reserve that serves as a habitat for plants and wildlife, including the mountain gazelle. The reserve stretches 1,200 meters long and about 400 meters wide and is popular with residents of the Sharon and central regions.Visitors can spot sea squill flowers and desert broom plants, familiar from the Negev but also found in the reserve’s sandy terrain. In February, one of Israel’s rarest and most striking flowers blooms along the kurkar (the rock type of which lithified sea sand dunes consist) ridge: the purple iris, symbol of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.7 View gallery Sharon Beach Nature Reserve (Photo: Erez Dagan)The hike is short and easy. Its highlight is a romantic wooden deck overlooking the Mediterranean from above, a spot often used for marriage proposals.How to hike: After parking, enter through the small gate and immediately turn left onto the red trail marker. Walk on the sand for about 10 minutes to the deck on the kurkar ridge overlooking the sea. The recommendation: stop for a picnic and enjoy the sea breeze, quiet surroundings and spectacular view.For a circular hike of about an hour, continue another 10–15 minutes on the red trail along the ridge, then turn right onto the black trail marker and right again back toward the parking lot. Just before the parking area, you will pass a dune that can be a great attraction for children.7 View gallery Sharon Beach Nature Reserve