The Israel National Trail is one of the most beautiful trails in Israel, spreading over 1,000 km from Kfar Giladi in the north to Eilat in the south. The trail passes by stunning landscapes, fascinating historical sites, and modern structures. You can use my trail descriptions to hike it on your own. But if you want to hike without worries and learn some things on the way, you can hire me as your local guide. I’ll be happy to join you on this adventure to discover Israel on foot!
If you plan to hike the entire trail or a serious portion of it, I recommend reading my post – The Israel National Trail: Ultimate Preparation Guide.
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What do I offer?
- Consultation regarding the trail, including places to stay, places to fill water, places to get food, maps, and GPX files. If you want to go only on a one-day hike, I’ll recommend places to stay at the beginning and end of the hike.
- Up to 4 guided day tours on the Israel National Trail. I will fit the pace and number of kilometers to your physical state and preferences.
Important to note:
- I do not guide in the desert part of the trail (from Arad southward).
- I cannot drive you to the starting point, but I can arrange a pick-up if needed (at an extra cost). We can also come together by using public transportation or we can meet at the starting point.
- The tour will not happen during heatwaves or rainy weather.
- If the trail is longer than 10 km, we will start the day early.
- Price is 1,000 Shekels per day per group (about 310 Dollars), but may change according to number of people, number of days, accommodation, transportation mode, and any other additional services.
The guided tour is customized to your needs and preferences. Please fill in the form below or contact me via lior@backpackisrael.com with your tour request:
Recommended guided tours on the Israel National Trail:
From Kfar Giladi to Nabi Yusha:
On this day hike, we’ll start at the new starting point of the Israel National Trail – Kfar Giladi. This kibbutz has an impressive history. We’ll start from the Roaring Lion Statue and continue down the Path of the Wounded towards the Naftali Mountain Ridge. Most of the day will be on the Naftali Mountains, with beautiful views of the Hula Valley. Near the end, there will be some places where we’ll need to use bars to climb down a dry stream. And then, we’ll end the day at Nabi Yusha fort, with a story connected to the 1948 Independence War.
Length: 22 km (14 miles).
Difficulty level: Hard.
From Nahal Hadera to Bet Yanai Beach:
On this day hike, we’ll start at beautiful Nahal Hadera Park and talk about the largest power station in Israel, Orot Rabin. From there, we’ll continue on foot into the city of Hadera, talk about its establishment, and learn about the malaria-filled swamps that once covered Hadera Forest. After crossing the forest, we’ll make our way to Alexander Stream, known for its gorgeous soft-shell turtle population. Before continuing to Bet Yanai Beach, we’ll also climb up to the Samara Ruins and enjoy a stunning view of the surroundings.
Length: 17.5 km (11 miles).
Difficulty level: Easy.
From Hurvat Khammama to Rashbi’s Tomb in Meron:
We’ll start our day hike by climbing to the top of Mount Meron, the second tallest mountain in Israel. Since we will be starting from a height of about 880 meters (2,890 feet), we will need to climb only about 300 meters (980 feet) to reach the summit. We’ll enjoy the beautiful view of the surroundings and then start the climb down the mountain. On the way, we’ll pass by the ancient Bak Ruins and hear the story of the first modern Jewish agricultural village in the Land of Israel, established here in 1834. At the bottom of the mountain, you’ll have the option to choose if you want to visit the tomb of Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai), who is one of the greatest Jewish sages.
Length: 12 km (7.5 miles).
Difficulty level: Medium-hard.
Optional: We can add about 6 more kilometers (4 miles) and end the tour at Safed.
