Israel Trail Day (Photo: Society for the Protection of Nature)
The Israel Trail, the route of one thousand and one hundred kilometers, which runs the length and breadth of the country among its diverse landscapes, has become over the years an almost mandatory route for the Israeli traveler.
Travelers who completed it in a continuous journey were given the nickname "Shibilists", and communities were built around the trip for Israel and unique traditions and many social initiatives were created.
Meanwhile, there are many hikers who choose to hike the trail in an intermittent manner and at a pace that suits them.
Ahead of the upcoming hiking season, a first conference of its kind will be held: "A Shelem Conference for Israel" at the Shelem Academic Center in collaboration with the Nature and Parks Authority, the Society for the Protection of Nature and the association Meet for Israel, intended for all those who are planning a trip for Israel, and past and present hikers.
We asked Dr. Yaakov Sa'ar and Dr. Yigil Henkin, authors of the "Red Guide to the Israel Trail", and Gil Evron, coordinator of the South Israel Trail at the Nature and Parks Authority, to tell us about 10 things you must know before going on Israel's national trek.
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Passes through the length and breadth of the country.
Map of the Israel Trail (photo: Walla! NEWS system, Society for the Protection of Nature)
1. When do you go out?
The continuous trail travel season begins in early fall in October and ends in spring.
Completing the entire route takes on average about two months, and it is customary to refer to two main cycles: fall - from October start in the north and go down south to Eilat, and spring - starting at the end of January leave the south and go up north.
In December and January, you can walk consecutively in both directions.
Due to the weather conditions, the desert is off-limits for continuous walking from mid-April to October, and the north is also not suitable for a trip in the summer months from June to September.
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2. Prepare properly
The Israel Trail in its entirety is a long and very diverse route in landscapes and terrain conditions.
Despite the improvement over the years in the conditions along the path and in the navigation aids, it is still a challenging route, which requires physical preparation, familiarity with the route, appropriate equipment and, above all, mental readiness to deal with difficulties and surprises along the way.
It is important to start the physical preparation already about two months before the departure - for beginners in the south expect an cumulative ascent of a kilometer on the first day and also the second day is very difficult.
For beginners in the north - very soon the route will start already at the Hermon site, and for travelers who start from there expect several very difficult days at the beginning of the path - on the first day about a kilometer and a half of descents, and on the third day about a kilometer of ascents.
Is it worth starting in the south?
The start/end point of the Israel Trail in Eilat (Photo: Walla! NEWS system, Dov Greenblatt, Society for the Protection of Nature)
3. Do not exaggerate
When planning the days of the trip, it is better not to cram many kilometers of walking into one day.
Along the trip there can always be surprises, and it is better to divide the route into shorter sections, than to break in the middle.
Sometimes the road conditions require a detour, sometimes the weather affects and requires changing the route, and in some cases it is worth deviating from the road to see interesting things.
4. App, map or digital guide?
Over the years, the navigation options have improved, and there is no doubt that apps save time, are easy to use and provide a lot of information about what is happening on the road, but it must be remembered that they also eat up the mobile battery.
Along most of the route there are clear road markings, but there is an advantage in using updated maps, as a backup in case the phone doesn't work, or when talking on the way.
In any case, it is important to make sure to walk only on the marked paths and only during daylight hours.
There is an advantage in using updated maps.
Changing the route of the Israel Trail in Hotem Carmel (photo: Society for the Protection of Nature)
5. Invest in your feet
Shoes can save the trip or ruin it - this is not the place to skimp.
The type of shoe depends on the weight you carry on your back - the higher the weight, the more massive a shoe is required that also supports the ankle.
The rule of thumb is that you should buy shoes that are half a size bigger, and also walk in them a few weeks before leaving for the trip.
6. Pack wisely
The correct approach to the issue of equipment is not to take what is necessary, but to take what is impossible without it.
The more things you take, the more comfortable you will be at stops, but the trip itself will be more difficult.
Today there are breathable clothes and thermal clothing, which are lightweight, and one set of clothes on you and another set to change is enough.
In the food sector, it is better to avoid heavy cans, and you no longer need to pack books either - in the parking lots along the trail are scattered the "Trail Libraries", an initiative of the Shalem Academic Center, the Nature and Parks Authority and "Meeting for Israel", with books that can be borrowed and returned freely.
Everything is on your back, so pack wisely.
Walking for Israel in Hadera (Photo: Yoav Itiel)
7. Pay attention to the water
The amount of water required is individual, and also depends on the weather conditions and the load of equipment carried, but on average between 4-6 liters are required per person per day for drinking purposes only.
In the north of the country there are more places to fill water, but in the south it is more complex and requires planning, and over the years a set of paid water burials has developed.
In the last two years, the Nature and Parks Authority established and upgraded overnight parking lots free of charge in the southern part of the trail, and added points to refill water at no cost for the hikers, with fresh water that is replaced and filled in special containers every few days.
In any case, you should always take water that will last beyond the next filling point, to avoid a situation where you reach the point and discover that the follower is already empty.
8. The angels of the path
Trail Angels are a welcome phenomenon that has developed greatly in the last decade - these are residents who live along the Israel Trail and offer trail riders accommodation in houses or yards, and sometimes also a shower and even laundry.
As of the beginning of 2023, there are about 450 Path Angels throughout the country.
As the load of travelers increases, so does the load on the angels of the trail, and less pleasant phenomena of inappropriate treatment of travelers multiply.
It is important to remember that the Angels of the Path work completely voluntarily and out of goodwill, so you must coordinate in advance to reach them, act in accordance with the rules they have defined and above all behave politely.
Updated lists of trail angels can be found online.
The default for a trip on the Israel Trail is to stay in the field, and not rely only on trail angels.
The hikers' hut in the cliffs (the 'hikers' hut' community)
9. Leave no traces
Only footprints of shoes are left in the field.
In most cases, the bicyclists do not produce a lot of trash, but in many parking lots, especially in the southern region, there are no trash cans, and it is important to take the trash with you.
Garbage that is left in the field is an environmental and scenic hazard that can greatly harm wildlife.
Some of the new parking lots also have sawdust services, but the instruction is to leave the parking area, bury the needs, do not leave them on the surface, and of course do not burn the toilet paper after use.
10. Follow the weather
The weather is a very important variable around the trail trip - both in heat stress and of course in cases of rain and danger of floods.
Warnings about unusual weather and famous floods on the website of the meteorological service.
It is not possible to predict a flood in a particular stream but in the entire area, so if there is a flood warning in a certain area - do not go on adventures.
In the field, only traces of shoes are left (Photo: Walla! NEWS system, Udi Goren)
The Israel Path conference will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, between the hours of 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
The conference was initiated by the Shalem Academic Center and in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority, the Society for the Protection of Nature and the association "Meeting for Israel", on the campus of the Shalem Academic Center in Jerusalem.
Participation is free of charge
upon pre-registration.
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The Israel Trail
Trips in the country