Israel National Trail Voyage Tips and guide

The Israel National Trail (Hebrew שביל ישראל, Shvil Yisrael) is Israel’s best-known long-distance hiking trail. It runs for about 1,000 km from the northern edge of the country near Kibbutz Dan to Eilat on the Red Sea, crossing the Galilee, the Carmel Range, the Israeli Coastal Plain, the Jerusalem Hills, the Dead Sea region and the Negev.

The trail is normally walked and takes about 40–60 days for an average thru-hiker. It can also be walked in shorter sections. The route links historic sites, villages, towns, forests, desert landscapes, biblical places, modern cities and remote wilderness, making it both a demanding hike and a broad introduction to the landscapes of Israel.

When Avraham Tamir, a journalist and writer (for the children's magazine, Thing for Children), hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1980, he came up with the inspiration for the Israel Trail. Upon returning to Israel, Tamir approached ITC (ITC, the Israel Trails Committee, is housed by SPNI, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel) Director Ori Devir with the idea. A long-time veteran and founder of SPNI, Ori Devir contemplated the idea, fell in love it, and began the long process of establishing the Trail. Devir and his team collected ideas and feedback from tour guides, park rangers, hikers and veteran nature lovers. After much investigation, bureaucracy and hard work, 15 years later ITC opened the Israel Trail with then President Ezer Weitzman conducting the ceremony on Passover 1995.

Most of the Israel Trail was patched together from the network of thousands of kilometers of pre-existing trails across the country. The trail system stringently protects environmental concerns and each region's character. The Israel Trail was intended for hiking by foot only, but as a result of jeeps driving the trails, some sections of the trail are now accessible not only to jeeps, but to regular private cars. You can get to the trail by foot, car and even public transit. Along the trail, informational signs feature maps, background on the area and interesting sites, trail rules and emergency phone numbers.

In 1994, Yariv Ya'ari was the first person to hike the entire Israel Trail and he completed the trail in 21 days. More and more people began to hike the Israel Trail and today tens of thousands of people hike the Israel Trail every year! In October 2006, Avraham Tamir's young son Mickey Tamir hiked the Israel Trail to mark his father's 100th birthday and his own 60th birthday. Thousands of groups hike a section of the Israel Trail, hiking once a month or so, until they complete the entire trail within two years.

The trail crosses Israel from north to south. It passes close to places such as the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, the Dead Sea, Mitzpe Ramon, Timna Valley and Eilat. The route also has strong historical and religious interest. It passes near biblical landscapes, archaeological sites and places important to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, while also crossing modern cities, rural communities and remote desert areas.

The trail is very varied. In the north it crosses rivers, woodland, farmland, villages and green hills. In the centre it passes through coastal and lowland areas, including sections near major cities. In the south it becomes a desert trek through the Negev, with long dry stages, dramatic craters, wadis and open mountain scenery.

The hike does not require technical climbing skills, but it is a serious long-distance trek. Hikers need good fitness, navigation ability, suitable footwear, and experience carrying food, water and overnight gear. The desert sections require particular care, as water sources are far apart and heat can be dangerous.

Most hikers walk either north to south or south to north depending on season. North to south gives an easier start, with more towns and water sources while the hiker gets used to trail life. South to north can be better in spring, because the desert is completed before it becomes too hot.

• Israel Trails Committee (ITC), 2 HaNegev, Tel Aviv 66186, ☏ +972-3-6388719, +972-3-6388720, [email protected]. Offers substantive information on water points and shelter, including a list of "Trail Angels" (the list is in Hebrew). The Trail Angels accept Israel Trail hikers into their homes (for a shower, and some for a night's accommodation or a hot meal) which lie adjacent to or in close proximity to the trail. The ITC also has a hotline for problems encountered on the trail. 

It is possible to walk only selected sections, and many Israelis complete the trail gradually over weekends or holidays.

Carry reliable maps or an offline navigation app. Do not rely only on phone reception or battery power. The trail is marked with orange, blue and white stripes. When the white stripe is higher, the direction is north; when the orange stripe is higher, the direction is south.

A lightweight tent or tarp is useful, especially outside towns and in rainy weather. Good hiking shoes are strongly recommended. The trail includes rocky paths, steep descents, dry riverbeds, sand, mud, paved streets and rough desert terrain.

The trail is not suitable as a whole for baby carriages, wheelchairs or wheeled luggage. Some urban promenades and park sections are accessible, but the complete trail is a backpacking route.

Common desert water-cache areas include sections south of Arad, Wadi Hemar, Meizad Tamar, HaMakhtesh HaKatan, HaMakhtesh HaGadol, Ein Akev, Wadi Hava, Wadi Geled, Barak Canyon, Wadi Zihor, Shehoret Canyon and Ein Netafim. Check current trail information before placing or relying on caches, as route details and access conditions can change.

The northern and central parts of the trail pass near many towns, villages and kibbutzim, so food resupply is usually frequent. Hikers rarely need to carry more than a few days of food in these sections.

In the Negev, resupply points are farther apart and require more planning. Do not arrive at important resupply towns just before or during Shabbat or major holidays without checking opening hours. Many shops close on Friday afternoon and remain closed on Saturday.

Water planning is one of the most important parts of hiking the Israel National Trail. In the north and centre, one day’s water is often enough between reliable refill points. South of Arad, water sources are much farther apart, and hikers may need to carry 6–7 litres per person per day or arrange water caches in advance.

Common desert water-cache areas include sections south of Arad, Wadi Hemar, Meizad Tamar, HaMakhtesh HaKatan, HaMakhtesh HaGadol, Ein Akev, Wadi Hava, Wadi Geled, Barak Canyon, Wadi Zihor, Shehoret Canyon and Ein Netafim. Check current trail information before placing or relying on caches, as route details and access conditions can change.

Do not drink untreated water from streams, springs, pools or desert waterholes. Natural water may be polluted or unsafe. If using wild water in an emergency, filter and disinfect it.

Hikers use a mixture of campsites, legal night camps, hostels, field schools, guesthouses, trail angels and occasional hotels. In the desert, camping is often restricted to designated night camps, especially in nature reserves.

Trail angels are volunteers who host or help Israel Trail hikers, often with a shower, a place to sleep, a meal or local advice. Lists change, so check current information before relying on them.

The best seasons are autumn, roughly October to November, and spring, roughly February to mid-May. Spring is especially scenic, with green landscapes and wildflowers, but it is also a popular hiking season.

Winter can be suitable, especially in the desert, but rain in the north and flash floods in the south can delay or endanger hikers. Summer is not suitable for the desert sections and is very hot almost everywhere.

Stay on marked trails, especially in nature reserves and desert areas where footprints, shortcuts and vehicle tracks can cause lasting damage. Use designated night camps where required.

Pack out all rubbish. Avoid disturbing wildlife, archaeological remains, terraces, springs and desert waterholes. Clean mud and seeds from boots and gear before and after hiking to reduce the spread of invasive plants and soil-borne organisms.

Map of Israel National Trail

The Israel National Trail can be walked in either direction. The description below follows the common north-to-south direction, from Kibbutz Dan to Eilat. Distances are approximate and change with route updates, detours and side trips.

Galilee

 200 km

The trail begins near Kibbutz Dan and crosses the greenest part of the country. It passes Tel Dan, the Hasbani River, Kfar Giladi and Tel Hai, then continues through the Upper Galilee toward Mount Meron and the area near Safed.

Farther south, the trail descends toward the Sea of Galilee region, with possible stops or side trips around Hukok, Mount Arbel, Tiberias, the Jordan River, Mount Tavor, Nazareth and Zippori. This section has many villages, roads and resupply options, but also steep climbs, rocky paths and muddy conditions after rain.

Carmel Range

 80 km

From the Lower Galilee the trail continues toward the Carmel Range, passing near Yagur and through wooded hills, limestone valleys and nature reserves. The climb onto the Carmel can be demanding, but the area is well connected to nearby towns and transport.

Important points include the Carmel forests and Nahal Me'arot Nature Reserve, with access to areas near Zikhron Ya'akov. This section is greener and more shaded than much of the centre and south, but can still be hot in late spring.

Coastal Plain

 170 km

The trail leaves the hills and enters the Israeli Coastal Plain. It passes near Caesarea, Hadera, Nahal Alexander, Netanya, Herzliya and northern Tel Aviv.

This is one of the easiest sections for resupply, accommodation and public transport. It includes beaches, dunes, rivers, parks, towns and urban walking. Some hikers enjoy the contrast after the hills; others find the paved and developed sections less wild.

South of Tel Aviv, the trail continues inland through Antipatris, Givat HaShlosha and the Mazor Mausoleum area before entering the lowlands.

Shfela and Jerusalem Mountains

 150 km

This section crosses the Shfela and the hills west of Jerusalem. It passes Ben Shemen Forest, Ajalon, Latrun, the Burma Road, Tzova and areas near Jerusalem, where hikers may connect with the Jerusalem Trail.

The landscape includes forest, agricultural land, memorial sites, historic roads, monasteries, villages and ridgelines. Farther south the trail passes Netiv HaLamed-Heh, Beth Guvrin and Tel Lachish before approaching the edge of the desert.

Negev

 400 km

The Negev is the longest and most demanding part of the Israel National Trail. The trail passes Dvir, Lahav, Metar, Arad, HaMakhtesh HaKatan, Sde Boker, Mitzpe Ramon, the Arabah, Neot Semadar, Timna Valley, the Eilat Mountains and finally Eilat.

This section has the most dramatic desert scenery, including craters, cliffs, wadis, open plateaus and coloured rock formations. It also has the most difficult logistics. Water sources are far apart, shade is limited, and some sections require water caches or careful coordination.

Avoid hiking desert stages in extreme heat or when flash floods are possible. Stay on marked trails, especially near military training zones and in nature reserves.

Most of the trail is not in conflict areas, and many hikers report being welcomed by local communities. Still, conditions can change, so check current security advice before starting and use local judgement.

Most of the trail between Beit Guvrin and Naot Smadar passes relatively close to training areas of the Israeli army. Therefore, it is very important in these places not to deviate from the path so as not to fall into the same training areas. That's why if you hear gunshots or explosions especially in the remote areas of the Negev desert on weekdays. You will know that these are trainings of the Israeli army.

Desert floods are dangerous. Do not enter wadis, narrow canyons or dry streambeds when heavy rain is forecast anywhere upstream. Heat is another major hazard; in hot weather, start early, rest during the hottest hours and carry more water than usual.

Dogs near rural or Bedouin settlements may be aggressive. Avoid approaching them, do not run, and give settlements and herds a wide berth where possible.

From Eilat, rest by the Red Sea, visit the Eilat Mountains or continue by bus or flight to other parts of Israel. From the northern end near Kibbutz Dan, nearby options include Tel Dan, the Galilee Panhandle, the Golan Heights and other hikes in northern Israel.

Hikers who completed only part of the route can continue with regional trails such as the Jerusalem Trail, the Sea to Sea route across the Galilee, or other walks described in Hiking and backpacking in Israel.