The Golan Trail is a 120-kilometer long hiking trail in the Golan Heights. The trail was inaugurated in May 2007 after a five-month marking operation done by the Israeli Society for the Protection of Nature and an initiative of the Golan Tourism Association.
The trail is about 120 kilometers long and extends from Mount Hermon in the north to the Sea of Galilee in the south. When hiked in full, it typically takes about 5-7 days, however, it can also be broken up into smaller segments, usually between 6 and 12 km.
You can hike the Golan Trail in both directions: from Mount Hermon to the south or from Ein Taufiq spring to the north. In the north, at its highest point, the trail begins at 1,480 meters above sea level. In the south, in Ein Tawfiq, the altitude is 200 meters above sea level. The lowest point of the trail is at the confluence of the streams Semech and Elal, which are at sea level.
There are some steep inclines and declines, but it is mostly flat. The hike from Mount Hermon to the south is easier, but you wouldn’t feel it except in the ascent from Majdal Shams road to the site of Mount Hermon.
Much of the trail can also be enjoyed by bicycle or horseback. It is marked in three colors: white (symbolizing Mount Hermon), blue (symbolizing the Sea of Galilee), and green (the Golan). The white color will always be on the right, whether facing south or north.
The Golan Trail Route
The Golan Trail is divided into 15 parts, with each one being between 6 and 12 kilometers long. The starting and ending point of each section is accessible by car (private one, not a 4X4), so you can easily do a daily hike in only one of them.
In the Golan, it is still customary to pick up hitchhikers. Public transportation is available as well, even if not always frequent.
Those who hike one section of the trails a day will enjoy an easy to medium route (except, perhaps, for the first day on mount Hermon – the most difficult part of the Golan trail).
Hikers that are in shape should be able to hike two sections of the trail a day.
Overnight Camping Spots
Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (The Jewish National Fund) has built several overnight camping spots in some sections of the trail, which serve as a basepoint for hikers.
The camping spots are equipped with designated sleeping areas including walls built for protection from the wind and a special place to light a fire – and they are usually located in the woods, which provide shade and a pleasant atmosphere for those staying in them.
Next to each camping area, and next to each section of the Golan Trail, you will find a large wooden sign with information and a map of the route ahead.
Map of the Golan Trail
Using a combination of several sources, we were able to create the following interactive map that contains the route of the Golan Trail (in blue) and the Israel National Trail (in green):
Please feel free to copy this map to your own google drive and mark your progress / planning.
It is important to stay on trail, as the Golan Heights has many military zones and, therefore, there are active mines in the surrounding area. Minefields are well marked, with a barbed wire fence with a yellow sign with a red triangle on it.
Topographical Maps
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) creates and sells high-quality topographical maps of the entire country of Israel, with marks of all hiking trails. Unfortunately, there is no English version of the maps, meaning you must know some Hebrew to use it.
The Golan Trail can be found in the No. 1 trail marking map (Mount Hermon, the Golan Heights and the “Galilee finger”) published by the Society for the Protection of Nature (2008 editions and onwards). You can order the maps directly from SPNI‘s website.
How to get to the Golan Trail
Getting to the starting point of the Golan Trail requires some planning, though you could always attempt to join the Trail at various other points.
Most hikers aiming to hike the complete route will probably opt to take a bus to Kiryat Shmona (from Tel Aviv take the 842 or 845, which both leave relatively frequently and make the trip to Kiryat Shmona without any stops).
Next, you’ll need to get to the Majdal Shams junction by using bus number 58 from Kiryat Shmona’s central bus station. The Trail’s starting point is only a 10-minute drive away from Majdal Shams.
When to go
The best time to visit the trail is in the Spring or Autumn (March-April or October-November), as the summer months can be too hot for hiking (especially in mid-day hours), and the winter months can be a bit cold and rainy.
Remember to plan according to the weather and take suitable gear for the challenge (sleeping bag, tent, warm clothing etc). if you plan to hike the full trail, keep in mind it can take between 7-9 days and the weather might change.
With some careful planning, hiking the Golan Trail will prove a rewarding and unforgettable experience for any visitor. The inspiring green scenery, rich diversity, and cultural value of this region may just be the main highlights of your entire trip to Israel!
for more information and a full description of each section on the Golan Trail, see the following Wiki page.
Golan Trail Angels
Here is a list of Golan Trail angels we have assembled from several online resources, the main one being this list on the following Trail Wiki (which includes places that charge a fee as well – we do not include it here as we don’t promote paid services we haven’t tested ourselves).
- Merom Golan. Sleep inside. Tomer 050-6698843
- Alone Habashan – (Shabbat and Jewish Holidays keeping place!)
- Sleep, shower, free. Amir – 052-8119505
- Sleep on the lawn, water, restrooms, free. Assaf – 052-5658496
- Keshet – (Shabbat and Jewish Holidays keeping place!)
- Free. Sleep up to 6 hikers. Yeruham: 052-2694369
- Yonatan – (Shabbat and Jewish Holidays keeping place!)
- Sleep on the lawn, Free. Set a tent, restrooms. Yoni Dolev – 052-8348363
- Natur – The Levy family, free hosting in a separate room or the yard. Hot shower, coffee and cake, and any help you need. 055-6665204 or elorlevi@gmail.com
- Givat Yoav Sarah 052-3715687
- Neot Golan – Sleep, please coordinate with Michal – 0507887019
- Meizar – Sleep, shower, water, food. Liad – 050-7411569
Want us to add you to the list, or change something? contact us at – IsraelByLocals @ gmail.com
For more information:
The Golan Trail Guidebook
The Golan Trail is a 120-kilometer-long hiking trail in the Golan Heights that will prove a rewarding and unforgettable experience for any visitor. The inspiring green scenery, rich diversity, and cultural value of this region may just be the main highlights of your entire trip to Israel.
In this comprehensive and trusted trail guide, you will find all the information you will need to navigate all 15 parts of the trail, from Mount Hermon in the north and all to way to the Sea of Galilee in the south, whether you’re a seasoned hiker seeking out a new adventure or a someone looking for a family-friendly outing.
