גן לאומי אביחיל, Nature reserve in Netanya, Israel

Avihayil National Park is a nature reserve located north of Netanya that spans sandy dunes and coastal flatlands. Carob trees and mastic shrubs grow across this sandy terrain, with walking trails allowing visitors to move through different sections of the landscape.

The reserve was officially established in 2022 as part of a nationwide effort to protect natural habitats across the country. This decision aimed to secure the survival of the coastal vegetation for future generations.

The park reveals the plant life that naturally thrives along Israel's sandy coastal strip and how species have adapted to this environment. Walking through reveals how the vegetation creates shelter and food sources for animals living in this region.

Access to the reserve is possible through the Avihayil cemetery or from the Havatzelet HaSharon interchange on the coastal road. Bring comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and sandy, and the sun can be quite strong throughout the day.

In 2006, Argaman iris plants were moved into the reserve, a detail few visitors notice among the dunes. The site was declared a national park only in December 2022, and its roughly 100 dunams lie between the Avihayil cemetery and the Havatzelet HaSharon interchange. Wildlife here is mostly reptiles and insects, a consequence of the surrounding urban area.