The Israel National Trail (Hebrew: שביל ישראל, Shvil Yisra'el) is a hiking trail that crosses the entire length of Israel,[2] with its northern end at Kibbutz Dan in the far north of the country, extending to Eilat at the southernmost tip of Israel on the Red Sea, with a total length of 1,040 km (650 mi).[3][4] The trail was inaugurated in 1995.
Israel Trail marker on a tree
The trail is marked with three stripes (white, blue, and orange), and takes an average of 45–60 days to complete.[5]
The Israel National Trail has been listed in National Geographic's 20 most "epic trails." It is described as a trail that "delves into the grand scale of biblical landscapes as well as the everyday lives of the modern Israeli."[6]
The best hiking seasons are either from mid-February to mid-May or from September to December. The summer months (mid-May to the end of August) are considered too hot. Winter is less popular due to rain, low temperatures and, in the southern sections of the trail, potential flash floods.
History
Israel National Trail
The Israel National Trail (INT) is the brainchild of Avraham Tamir, a journalist and hiker who hiked the Appalachian Trail in the late 70's and Ori Dvir, hiker, educator and one of the founders of The Society for Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). The INT is over 1000 kilometers long and is marked, managed and maintained by The Israel Trails Committee which also blazes, marks and maintains the 15,000 kilometers of hiking trails all over Israel.
The Israel National Trail was officially inaugurated by then President of Israel, Ezer Weizmann in 1994. One of its purposes is to give Israelis a way to experience the entire breadth of the land firsthand. The various sections of the trail have been added progressively during this development.
In 2003 a portion of the trail was diverted from the Sharon and now runs along the coast. The reasons for the change were the development of Highway 6, avoiding the security risk of walking along the Green Line and the desire to add to the trail sections with city and sea views.
According to statistics compiled in 2010, only 4 out of 10 hikers complete the entire trail.[5] Recognizing this, the planners divided it into smaller sections that can be hiked separately. Some sections can be completed in day trips or over the weekend.[8]
Because the southern section of the trail passes through many isolated areas, hikers cache supplies of food and water at designated points on the trail before beginning the hike or pay for supplies to be delivered.
Hikers can seek help from "trail angels". For example, at KibbutzYagur, a soldier leaves the key to her room for hikers who need a place to sleep and a farmer in Hadera forest offers sleeping quarters in exchange for a day's work.[9]
A unique phenomenon that developed with the increase in popularity of the trail is that of "trail angels" (Hebrew: מלאכי שביל, Mal'ache Shvil). This nickname refers to people who live along the trail and offer hikers assistance, such as providing accommodation with beds and a shower, allowing them to pitch a tent in their the yard or helping with transportation. Most of the "angels" do not require compensation for their support.
Awards and recognition
In 2012, National Geographic magazine included the trail on its best hiking trail list. It was praised for "connecting to something that often gets lost in all the headlines: the sublime beauty of the wilderness of the Middle East." According to the magazine, "the joy of the trail is meeting the Israelis hiking it, and spending some time in small kibbutzim where local people take hikers into their homes."[3]
Route
Hikers on Israel TrailSand Mountains of the Negev in southern IsraelCoast of MediterraneanEastern part of Dishon StreamElijah's Chair on Mount Meron
The trail is a continuous footpath across the entire country of Israel. It mostly consists of dirt tracks, however, occasionally it includes quiet roads or pavements. The path is frequently marked by its unique striped markers. These are often painted on rocks and trees, or with signs and plates.
The trail is walked either North-to-South or South-to-North, both directions are common. However, the North-to-South is more frequently taken. Therefore, a description of the route in that direction follows.
The trail continues up to Mount Meron. It passes by a rock formation known as Elijah's Chair, and the archaeological site of Khirbet Shema. Further, the trail sees exposed pipes of the National Water Carrier of Israel. It then passes in Nahal Amud, more than two hundred meters below the city of Safed.
Lower Galilee
Now at a lower elevation, the route reaches close to the Sea of Galilee, at the town of Migdal. It then ascends briefly onto Mount Arbel, with views of the cliffs and natural caves below. From here, the route comes nearby to the Horns of Hattin, where the Battle of Hattin took place. Shortly afterwards, the route goes through Tiberias, the city directly next to the Sea of Galilee.
The route then continues over Mount Tabor, located at the top is the Church of the Transfiguration. After descending, the route again ascends, over Mount Devora, at the top of which is a monument to mark the silver wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Shortly after, it passes by the Nazareth Iris Nature Reserve.
Here the route comes close to, but avoids the city of Nazareth, instead, it goes through Nof HaGalil (Nazareth Illit). After leaving, it passes by the archaeological site of Sepphoris (Zippori). Next passing by the ruins of a water mill, Tahanat Hanezirim.[10]
Carmel and the Coast
The route passes through Kibbutz Yagur, to then enter, with a very steep ascent, Mount Carmel National Park. After crossing Mount Carmel itself, it passes by Isfiya, and then numerous other mountains. It then descends at the prehistoric Etzba Cave, and passes by the artist's colony of Ein Hod.
The route now turns south, and after passing many more prehistoric caves, it goes by the town of Zikhron Ya'akov. Shortly after, the route reaches an ancient Roman aqueduct, to then reach the Mediterranean Sea, at Jisr az-Zarqa. Along the coast a very short way, the route goes by Caesarea Maritima, the vast ruins of an ancient Roman city.
Going further south, the route goes through the city of Hadera. Afterwards, it crosses the river Nahal Alexander, going through the national park of the same name. Near here the route passes Hirbat Samara, the ruins of a building used by Ottoman customs officers. Next, the route passes the city of Netanya, on the coast, then crosses Nahal Poleg River.
Further along the coast, the route passes by the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia–Arsuf. Shortly afterwards, it passes by Sidna Ali Mosque, to then go by the city of Herzliya. The route then enters Tel Aviv, where it turns east, away from the coast.[10]
Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
The route turns at the mouth of the Yarkon River, which it follows for a while through Yarkon Park. Passing a British army Pillbox by a railway, it then passes into Yarkon Springs National Park. It then departs the river near the city of Rosh HaAyin.
The route goes by the Roman mausoleum of Hirbat Mazor. After a short while, it passes through the archaeological site of Tel Hadid. Next, it passes through Ben Shemen Forest, then passing nearby to the Roman ruins of Hirbat Anava and Hirbat Ragav. Further south, the route goes by Latrun Monastery, an old Crusader castle, and the village of Neve Shalom.
Further east, the route goes through what was the village of Sataf, and then along Nahal Sorek. Shortly the route reaches as close as it gets to Jerusalem; from here, a separate trail, the Jerusalem Trail can be taken for a two-day site trip to see the city. The route passes by Yad Kennedy; a memorial to John F. Kennedy, and Hirbat Khanot, an old traveller's stop.[10]
Jerusalem to the Negev
Now pushing away from Jerusalem, the path climbs up to Azekah, a historical ruin on top of a hill. Continuing south, the route goes over a hill, with the ruin of Tel Goded on top. Onward, the route leads into Beit Guvrin National Park; through the ancient town of Eleutheropolis/Beit Guvrin. The route passes nearby to Tel Maresha, ruins of an ancient city. Further on, the route passes through the archaeological site of Tel Lachish.
The route follows the river of Nahal Adora'im it breaks away at the ruins of Tel Keshet, and then through Tel Nagila. It passes through Pura Nature Reserve, then following the river of Nahal Shikma. Shortly afterwards, it goes through Lahav Forest, to enter the kibbutz of Lahav; within is the Joe Alon Centre and Museum of Bedouin Culture. Just leaving the kibbutz is Hirbat Rimon.
Later the route goes through Yatir Forest, the largest forest in Israel. It passes through Amasa, and then up to Mount Amasa, the second-highest point on the trail, at 859 m.
Heading east onto the Arad Plateau, the route passes through the archaeological site of Tel Arad, to then pass enter the city of Arad itself.[10]
Negev
Mount Karbolet - on the collapsed southern rim of HaMakhtesh HaGadolSaharonim mountain - on the perimeter of Makhtesh Ramon
Leaving the city, the route passes into The Negev Desert. It goes over Mount Qina, and then along the river of Nahal Kanfan. Much later, it passes through the Roman archaeological site of Mezad Tamar. Heading south, it reaches an observation point on the rim of HaMakhtesh HaKatan, the first of the three Makhtesh the trail sees; it passes through and comes close to the gap (centre).
Later, the route passes through Mezad Tzafir, an ancient Roman stronghold that was a part of the Limes (frontier). It follows Nahal Hatira for a short while, along which is the Hatira Waterfall, the highest dry waterfall in Israel, then passing another Roman stronghold, Meizad Yorkeam.
Next, the route climbs Mount Karbolet, the collapsed southern rim of HaMakhtesh HaGadol, (lit. The Big Crater) and then follows Nahal Afran. It then enters the Zin Valley, to cross Nahal Zin. It reaches the peak of Mount Akev, the spring of Ein Akev, and the river of Nahal Akev. It then passes through Ein Shaviv Oasis.
Further along, it passes by Metzad Mahmal, a fort used to protect spice trading routes. Then it enters the town of Mizpe Ramon.
Mizpe Ramon is on the edge of Makhtesh Ramon, the largest Makhtesh in the world. The route takes around two days to cross it, and comes close to Ein Saharonim, the deepest point of the Makhtesh. After leaving the Makhtesh, it passes by the ancient caravanserai of Moa, and goes through both Barak and Vardit Canyons. It passes Kasui Sand Dunes, then into Timna Valley Park, with Mount Timna and Solomons Pillars, all within Timna Valley.
Lastly, the route crosses Eilat mountain range and reaches Eilat, on the Red Sea, the final destination of the trail and its southern-most point.[10]
Cultural references
The trail is featured prominently in Israeli author David Grossman's 2008 novel To the End of the Land. In that story the mother of an Israeli soldier takes to the trail to occupy and distract herself while her son is engaged in a military operation.
