Best Hikes In Israel PLUS Hiking Gear Guide!
The Ultimate Hiking Guide In Israel PLUS Hiking Gear Guide!
Israel is a great country to hike through! Hiking trails are many and the landscape varies from mountains and valleys in the north to coastal trails to desert trails down south.
Did you know that there are more than 9,000 km of well-marked trails with different degrees of difficulty? You will be spoilt for choice!
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The best time to hike in Israel is either during the fall months from Mid-September through to November or come springtime from late March through to June. The summer months in Israel are hot with high humidity, in my view hiking is not a recommended activity to do.
You can go hiking in Israel solo or with a group both are safe, fun, and easy to do. When I do group tours on my travels I often use GET YOUR GUIDE They offer diverse tours. They are reliable, the guides are knowledgeable and they offer good value for money.
Group tours to consider:
Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi, & Dead Sea from Jerusalem
Banias & Golan Heights Private Guided Tour
Before we get into the best trekking trails you need to know about, a few safeties and practical tips. PLUS what gear you need to have to enjoy your hikes.
Travel Insurance ~ You should NEVER leave home without having the right travel insurance and coverage for your trip.
Safety Tips For Visiting Israel
To hike safely please, do NOT stray off the marked trail! If you're hiking in the Golan Heights, there are areas still with landmines. In the area of the Negev Desert, there are army shooting ranges. Respect the instructions, and you will be fine!
Make sure you are aware of the guidelines and opening & closing times if you're hiking in a National Nature Park.
Check the weather report before you leave on your hike so you come prepared.
It is important to have your phone fully charged, have a GPS option and a map of your trail.
Make sure someone knows where you are going, and what you plan to do.
Have emergency phone numbers with you just in case. It's for your own peace of mind.
Practical Tips For Visiting Israel
Make an early start to make the most of your day!
Check the length and degree of difficulty of your chosen hiking trail beforehand so it is a good match for you.
Pack light! Make sure you are well prepared for your hike but that you don't overpack and have unnecessary weight to carry around all day.
Have a first aid kit with you and any medication you might need.
Heat strokes are a real thing please, make sure you have PLENTY of water with you and wear a hat at all times.
Sunscreen: Don't start your hike without it!
Have appropriate trail snacks/food with you. Choose items that will stay fresh and won't spoil in the sun.
Make sure you have a garbage bag with you, so you don't leave any waste behind.
Bring mosquito repellent with you.
I always bring an extra pair of socks with me to change in case my feet get sweaty or wet after walking a water trail.
Depending on your trek, have a swimsuit, flip-flops and a small towel with you. Up north in the Golan Heights, in the area of the Kineret-Sea of Galilee, or around the Dead Sea for example you will have plenty of opportunities to refresh.
Baby wipes are always handy to have with you when hiking.
Hiking in the North of Israel
Have the right hiking gear for your hike
A day backpack: Apart from your hiking shoes, this is the most important item you need to have with you. When choosing your backpack focus first on the right size depending on how long your hike is. Pick one that is comfortable to carry without it hurting your back and shoulders halfway through your hike (think about the straps for example and the padding.) Choose a material that is water-resistant. A backpack with compartments is always handy to have.
Shop your backpack HERE!
Wear appropriate hiking clothes: Wear clothes made of breathable wicking materials, avoid cotton and dress in layers. If you are hiking during fall, have a long sleeve shirt and a light rain jacket with you so you don’t have a rainy surprise.
Hiking shoes: The right hiking shoes are your best friends! Make sure you have comfortable shoes made for walking. I recommend not wearing new shoes on a hike, make sure your shoes are broken into so to speak to avoid getting blisters.
Hats: There are many hat options so go town!
It is handy to have a small Knife or another hiking multi-tool with you.
Sunglasses: This is my favorite hiking item!
Reusable water bottles: As you know, plastic pollution is increasing drastically having a major effect on our environment. By traveling and in this case, hiking, with a personal reusable water bottle, you can contribute and help reduce the use of plastic.
Image by Reismoney.nl
Click to view more reusable water bottle designs & shop directly
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PRO TIP! Buy a safety whistle! This is a small life-saving item everyone going on a hike should have with them.
The best 10 X hiking trails in Israel
Let’s Go Hiking!
The Israel National Trail This is a national hiking trail stretching along 1,100 km crossing Israel from North to South. The beauty of this trail apart from it showcasing the diversity of the country's landscape, flora and fauna, is that it is divided into sections. You can choose which section of the trail you would like to walk. The trail begins in Kibbutz Dan, near the Israel-Lebanon border in the north, all the way to Eilat Israel's most southern tip.
Did you know? This hiking trail was mentioned by National Geographic as one of the top 20 world’s best hikes ~ Epic trails
The Golan Hiking Trail: Hiking through the spectacular Golan Heights is one of my favorite areas to explore when I'm home. There are many types of trails to choose from many with water which makes it double the fun. In total there are 125 km of trails. Starting at the top by Mount Hermon, Israel’s highest mountain down through the hills to the Sea of Galilee, the lowest freshwater lake in the world!
The Golan Heights
The Banias hiking trail This is one of the most beautiful trails in the northern part of Israel where you can enjoy natural beauty, during springtime; everything is green with lots of water flowing after the winter rains and snowmelt. The views are breathtaking, and there’s even something for the archeology lovers and history buffs. You can visit the ruins of ancient cities on your hike to the biggest waterfall in the country! There are two separate entrances to this national park:The Falls entrance and the Springs entrance.
The Meshushim Pool in the Yehudiya Nature Park Beautiful views will surround you, canyons, ravines, and natural swimming pools to swim in. The Meshushim Pool is the prettiest of them all! Imagine a pool surrounded by a cliff made up of numerous hexagonal basalt pillars.Other hiking trails popular in this breathtaking Nature Park are the Lookout circular trail, the Dolmen trail, and the Stream trail to the Zavitan Stream.
The Galilee Region.
Mount Arbel hiking trail Enjoy the majestic views of the sea of galilee below, the Golan Heights and Israel’s tallest peak Mount Hermon while going down this mounting. You have different trails you can walk with different levels of difficulty.
Mount Arbel Israel
Nahal Amud trail This trail has a unique combination of a perennial stream, rock pools, flour mills, and prehistoric caves. I highly recommend doing this hike.
Ein Gedi Nature Park
The Jesus Trail This trail combines natural beauty with spirituality. The trail is a 65-kilometer hiking trail in the Galilee region, following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Hiking around Mount Sdom above the Dead Sea: You might remember this mountain from your school days…it was mentioned in the bible. This is where the famous story of Sodom and Gemora took place. Ma’aleh HaSulamot trail: Translated from Hebrew it means the Ladders ascent, there are no ladders these days but lots of stairs to assist you on your way. The Wadi Pratzim trail is another good option. It is also where you have the famous Flour Cave.
Views of the Dead Sea
Nahal Arugot This trail is in the Ein Gedi National Park. A beautiful setting where everything is green with views to kill. You can choose between a dry trail and a water trail. Personally, I recommend the water trail where you can enjoy a mini waterfall, streams, and pools to refresh in.
The only thing left to say is have a great time!
Before we say bye don’t forget to follow me on social media for more travel content and inspiration ~ @mytrendytrail
Yours,
Diti