TheHexagon Pool (Hebrew:בריכת המשושים,Breichat HaMeshushim) is a natural pool by theMeshushim River in theYehudiya Forest Nature Reserve, the centralGolan Heights.
The pool, at the bottom of acanyon, is named after the shape of thehexagonalbasalt columns that make up its walls. This geological formation was created by the slow cooling of layers of lava flows over a long period. When the lava solidified and cooled, it was split into polygonal shapes due to its contraction.[1][2]
A cascade of water, such as a waterfall, created the pool. The walls are columns ofbasalt in angular formations that appear man-made. The columns reach a height of approximately 5 metres (16 ft), and most have five or six sides. The diameter of each column is between 30 and 40 centimetres (1.0 and 1.3 ft). Walls of basalt columns exist in other places in the Golan Heights, along theMeshushim andZavitan Rivers.
The easiest access is 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) north of the community settlement ofHad Nes onRoute 888 where a junction leads to the Nature Reserve. From there a 30-minute downhill walk leads to the pool.
Access to the pool is normally allowed. The water temperature rarely exceeds 18 °C (64 °F), even in summer.
32°56′19″N35°39′56″E / 32.93861°N 35.66556°E /32.93861; 35.66556