Hello fellow hikers! today we want to present to you a few different options for long hiking trails in Israel that can be done in a few consecutive days, or as a daily hike (in which you choose to do only a part of the total trail).
To Be honest, actually each segment of the Israel National Trail (or several of those) can be considered as a few-days hike – but there is something special about the sense of accomplishment you get by completing a trail from its starting point to its end.
So in order to be ready for the next opportunity that allows you to go outside and hike, we have prepared here a short summary of the main (and best) long hiking trails in Israel. You know, ones that you can hike on a long weekend or when you get a few days off work and need to recharge and refresh your mundane routine with some nature for the soul.
Note that this is not a complete and detailed list of the trails – the intention here is to give a small taste of the various options, but probably in order to hike it effectively or plan your next trip you will need to gather more information. If possible, we have linked to other relevant sources.
Let’s start.
Long Hiking Trails in Israel
1. A journey from sea to sea (Yam el Yam)
70 km – between 3 and 4 days – medium difficulty level
Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful routes in Israel, which will take us on a three or four day journey between the magical landscapes of the Western Galilee, on a route that connects the northern shores of the Mediterranean and the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
We will start the route from Achziv Beach, located north of Nahariya, and continue climbing up Nahal Kziv, until we reach a breathtaking 360-degree view at the top of Mount Meron. From there we will continue and descend through the famous Amud River until we reach Kibbutz Ginosar and the Arbel, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. This is a hiking trail adapted for overnight stays in an area rich in water, green vegetation and flowing streams, and is perfect for summer and spring days.
2. Golan Trail
130 km – between 5 and 7 days – medium difficulty level
Basalt stones and volcanic landscape, streams in every corner and vast plains of nature and green – this is the Golan Heights. The Golan Trail, which was inaugurated in 2007 and has since become one of the most favorite long trails in Israel, allows a real taste of what the Golan height has to offer, all the way from the impressive Hermon to the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
The trail is mostly adapted for cyclists as well as hikers, and passes through popular points and historical sites. It is important to note: the trail is not particularly difficult, and should be pleasant for walking for those who are reasonably fit, but be prepared for a few steep ascents and descents from time to time, and make sure you do it in the correct season (the trail is especially recommended in spring, when green fields and flowers add exceptional grace. It is ok to hike in the rest of the year as well, but as always, heat waves or heavy rains can spoil the fun).
Read more: The Golan Trail – Everything you need to know
3. Jerusalem Trail
40 km – two days – easy difficulty level
The Jerusalem Trail is an almost circular trail that was inaugurated in 2006 and passes through major sites in Jerusalem, surrounds the Old City, and is a kind of “extension” of the Israel National Trail, which hardly passes inside Jerusalem. The trail begins at the Ein Handak campsite, continues east toward Jerusalem, encircles the Old City and returns west until it ends at the Sataf. Inside the urban [art of Jerusalem, the trail is marked with a special trail marking in blue-gold-blue colors, and outside the urban area it is marked with regular black marking.
The Jerusalem Trail is one of the most special trails in the country: a combination of a semi-urban and semi-rural trail, which can be done in a group or hiked alone, can be done fast but on the other hand allows you to linger in countless stunning sites and places along it – really diverse, just like the city of Jerusalem itself.
4. Around Be’er Sheva Trail
40 km – between 2 and 3 days – easy difficulty level
When talking about long hiking trails in Israel, one cannot ignore the southern part of the country! The Be’er Sheva Round Trail is a relatively “flat” and nice hiking trail about 40 kilometers long that surrounds Be’er Sheva. Along the route there are several observation points to the city and its surroundings, and it provides a good opportunity to see the impressive desert landscape of the northern Negev, with its characteristic vegetation.
The trail, inaugurated in 2009, was designed by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Be’er Sheva, with the intention of revealing the nature, history, vegetation and heritage of the area. It is divided into five sections which can be done separately, each of which is marked in its own color on the official topographic map of the region. The most recommended seasons for hiking this trail are winter and spring (after the rains). During these periods you can see a vigorous flowering of municipalities, anemones and other local vegetation.
5. Springs Valley Trail
145 km – about 10 days – medium-difficult difficulty level
The Springs Valley Trail is a long, circular hiking trail that encircles the entire Valley of the Springs, in the north of Israel, and the Beit She’an Valley area. The trail was created as an educational project that aims to bring hikers closer to the values of nature and heritage in the periphery.
During the years 2009–2010, groups of youth, soldiers and residents from the Springs Valley and Beit She’an worked on creation of the trail, carved the route of it with shoals and hoes and marked the trail in it’s white-orange-white colors.
The trail passes through most of the natural sites, landscapes, history and heritage of the valley and its surroundings, the many springs scattered throughout the area and quite a few of the less “touristy” parts of Mount Gilboa. Most parts of the route can also be traveled by bicycle, and is convenient for hiking most days of the year.
6. The Way of the Gospel (“The Jesus Trail”)
65 km – about 4 days – medium difficulty level
The Gospel Road, or more popularly known as the “Jesus Trail“, is a 65 km long road in the Lower Galilee and the Sea of Galilee that was completed prior to Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Israel on May 16, 2009, and has since attracted many Christian tourists. The trail begins in Nazareth and ends in Capernaum, and passes through the holy sites of Christianity: Tzipori, Mashhad, Kfar Kanna, Karni Hittin, Nabi Shuaib, Mount Arbel, Migdal, Ein Sheva and Mount of Beatitudes.
Read more: Walking the Jesus Trail: Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee (Amazon)