Israel

Israel packs surprising vertical punch into a small footprint, offering road cyclists a pair of catalogued climbs that reward the effort of getting there. The undisputed centerpiece is Mount Hermon, whose slopes carry riders up to a high point of 2030 m — the loftiest summit in the country and a genuine test of legs and lungs. One of the two ascents earns the fearsome hors catégorie rating, the sport's toughest label, marking it as a bucket-list target for anyone who thrives on relentless, sustained gradients.

Beyond the marquee heights of Mount Hermon, Har Meron rounds out the catalogue with its own distinctive character and views. Between them, these two climbs give visiting and local cyclists a focused, high-value itinerary: not a sprawling list, but a concentrated dose of the real thing. For riders seeking dramatic elevation in an unexpected corner of the map, Israel delivers.