Israel National Trail
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The Israel National Trail, (Hebrew שביל ישראל, transliterated "Shvil Yisrael") is a hiking path that crosses the entire country of Israel. Its northern end is at Dan, near the Lebanese border in the far north of the country, and it extends to Eilat at the southernmost tip of Israel on the Red Sea. The trail is approximately 940 km from beginning to end and takes 30-70 days to finish if hiked continuously.
The Israel National Trail is marked with three stripes painted on rocks along the way (white, blue and orange). There currently are not many English for the trail though the official website [1] is working to provide useful English resources.
For those who wish to walk through only part of it, the Israel National Trail website divides the entire route into 12 smaller sections:
1. Naftali Ridge and Ramim Cliffs (Upper Gallilee).
2. Kadesh Ili stream and Yesha fortress (Upper Gallilee).
3. Miron stream's parking lot to Ein Zeved and Shema ruins (Upper Gallilee).
4. Mount Tavor (Lower Gallilee).
5. Tzippori stream (Lower Gallilee).
6. Ma'apilim / Nakhash stream (Carmel).
7. Shayarot Range (Judean Mountains).
8. Yatir ruins to Dragot Quarry.
9. Mamshit and Mamshit stream (Negev).
10.Mitzpe Ramon and Ramon Crater (Negev).
11.Kisuy stream and Ovda Valley (Negev)
12.Shkhoret stream (Eilat Mountains).
[edit] More details about the 12 sections
(note: the following is based on information from the Hebrew website)
Naftali Ridge and Ramim Cliffs (Upper Gallilee) - On the eastern slopes of the Ramim Cliffs (Matzoc Ramim) are several dirt roads and walking routes, springs and observation points overlooking the Hula Valley. The Israel National Trail is marked here by afforestation roads and views of planted forests and natural undergrowth. The area ranges from a deserted sandstone quarry above Kiryat Shmona, at the height of 280m above sea level, southward towards Yesha Fortress (Metzudat Yesha). In the autumn, the trail is rich with rain forcasting flowers, especially types of crocus and early blossoming cyclamens.
Kadesh Ili stream and Yesha fortress (Upper Gallilee) - The bottom of the canyon is hard limestone, and the path lies in the shadow of the treetop canopy. (Note: The lower part of Kadesh Stream (Nakhal Kadesh) is for fit walkers only.) Elsewhere along the Kadesh Stream, hikers can climb rock steps up the stream's southern bank to view the ravine from above. The trail continues to Yesha Fortress, to the burial structure of Nebi Yusha and on to the exit point.
Miron stream's parking lot to Ein Zeved and Shema ruins (Upper Gallilee) - A circular trail on the eastern slopes of Mount Miron. The trail climbs upwards from the parking lot through Miron Stream and Miron Ili Stream, Ein Zeved, "Elijah's Chair" (Kisse Eliyahu, a tall rock shaped like a pillar), the Shema ruins and back to the parking lot. Part of the trail has regular trail marks and the walk down through Elijah's Chair has Israel National Trail marks only. During spring you can see a variety of rich blossoms including orchids. Towards summer, different flowers appear and color the area yellow. The raspberry fruit ripens at the end of the summer.
Mount Tavor (Lower Gallilee) - As it says in the book of Jeremiah, "as Tavor among mountains", it's impossible to ignore the presence of Mount Tavor as it rises up from almost any direction you look. The walk up and down the Tavor is beautiful as is the walk round the monasteries on its peak, near the remains of ancient walls, corner towers, caves, exposed antiquities, spring blossoms and of course, views to any direction from the sides of the mountain. The "mountain surrounding" road at half-altitude (around 250-350M above sea level) created by the Jewish National Fund provides an impressive view.
Tzippori stream (Lower Gallilee) - The trail here covers one of the geographical areas least familiar to many travellers. In this area of gall oaks (Known in Hebrew as "Alon HaTavor" - Tavor oak), you can also find birch trees and carpets of blossoms in winter and spring. In the Lower Gallilee there are large assemblies of Bedouin. Along the trail are streams of flowing water, improvised water pumps and a castle which is actually "The Monks Mill" (Takhanat HaNzirim) and the remains of another impressive gristmill at the Alil ruins (Khurbat Alil).
Ma'apilim/Nakhash stream (Carmel) - A walk through Nakhash Stream provides an almost complete representation of the Carmel's hidden treasures: From the top of the trail and while walking down the ravine, you can see an impressive view of the Northern Coastal Plain and the Gallilee. The path exits near Kibbutz Yagur. You can also see a vertical karstic hole, the "Arbutus Curve" (Icul HaCatlavim) and at the end of the trail, the Hagana slik (hiding place for weaponry) in Yagur.
Note: "Nakhash" means "snake" in Hebrew. The name is derived from the Arabic "Wadi al Hia". Nowadays, the stream is called "Nakhal Ma'apilim" after the illegal Jewish immigrants who secretly arrived at the Mediterranean shore during the time of the British mandate.
After this part, the Israel National Trail continues through the Sharon, Gush Dan and HaShfela areas, which are not mentioned among the 12 sections.
Shayarot Range (Judean Mountains) - A trip to the Shayarot Range (Shlukhat Shayarot) provides views down to the Coastal Plain and up to the Judean Mountains, hundreds of kilometers of mountain dirt tracks, walking routes, caves, and an abundance of flowers in the spring. The trail passes through the "Burma Road", or "Sheva Road". Here you can climb to the military posts overlooking Road 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road, used by Palmakh soldiers of the Har'el division in their battles on the road to Jerusalem during the Israeli War of Independence.
Yatir ruins to Dragot Quarry - This segment of the Israel National Trail goes from the Yatir ruins (Khurbat Yatir), one of the Levi cities in the land of Judah on the eastern brim of the Yatir Mountains ridge, through the Yatir Forest, the largest forest planted by the Jewish National Fund, to the Mount Amsha nature reserve, which has impressive views and unique plants. It also contains the remains of the Roman "freeway" Ma'ale Dragot.
Mamshit and Mamshit stream (Negev) - The trail passes through the ancient city of Mamshit, its alleys, churches, remains of stables, houses and administrative structures. You can visit the ancient dams at Mamshit Stream's (Nakhal Mamshit) river bed, walk through the beautiful narrow canyon of the stream and see the remains of ancient agriculture. The path exits to road 206, at the Rotem - Oron intersection.
Mitzpe Ramon and Ramon Crater (Negev) - The town of Mitzpe Ramon is a meeting place for artists, a station for people going down south to Eilat and a base for visitors to the Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon). You can also see ibex roaming free on the cliffs, and enjoy the changing colors of the crater during different times of the day.
Kisuy stream and Ovda Valley (Negev) - Near Ovda Valley (Bik'at Ovda) are dunes of sand like on the beach or in the Sinai desert. There was once life in the Ovda Valley and you can find ancient remains including temples, ritual locations and interesting structures near the sides of the roads. From the modern settlement of Shakharot, there are views to the Arava desert.
Shkhoret stream (Eilat Mountains) - On the route are sandstone geological formations such as the "Amir formation" and "Shkhoret formation". You can see element rocks, sorts of granites in streams (or wadis) that undermined in their predecessors' sediment walls, desert plants and perhaps even representatives of the local fauna. Different shades of sandstones, the granite and its shapes and dark colors, plaster ornaments on the rock and colors galore, all of it there in Eilat area.
