Hiking in early spring

The Israel Trail was officially opened during Passover of 1995. It was the brain child of Avraham Tamir, a journalist and writer, who had hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1980. He proposed the idea of an Israel National Trail to Ori Devir, Director of the Israel Trails Committee, a subsidiary of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.

Because Israel already had a network of hiking trails, the Israel Trail is patched together from all these already existing trails, but with its own unique additions. The trail system is also a part of the protection of the environment and the special character of each region it passes through. Although originally intended to be a hiking trail only, due to the onslaught of jeeps in Israel, some parts of the trail is accessible to private vehicles.

The trail runs from Dan in the north to Eilat in the south. It crosses historical places, archeological sites and unique landscapes. It consists of some 1000 km of trails, is extremely well marked and has informational signs along the route with maps, background on the regions and on interesting sites, trail route and emergency numbers.

The trail is set up in such a way that it can be done either in its full length, or in smaller sections. There are various options along the trail as for overnights, either out in the open, under the brilliant southern night sky, or sleep in the homes of trail supporters along the route.

Thousands of Israelis and visitors hike the Israel Trail or parts of it every year. For many schools it has become one of the popular tours, giving the youth a new knowledge of the special nature of Israel, of historical sites and the importance of preserving both. Most of the people hiking the full trail advice to start in the north and end in Eilat in the south. Since the north is at a higher elevation than the rest of the country, this makes sense.

For the visitor to Israel who wants something different, this could be the tool for getting in touch with a different Israel. Maps and trail information can be obtained through the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.

Should this be of interest to you while visiting Israel, we here at Your Guide to Israel, will be happy to help you get the information you need, and supply any other travel services you may need.