Israel is a great place to visit for many different reasons. It has a variety of different landscapes and interesting biodiversity. For a country the size of New Jersey, it does pack in a lot of opportunities to explore and experience new things. One of the best things to do is head out on hikes in Israel.
There are hikes in all the different regions near the Dead Sea, in the Negev Desert, in the northern Golan Areas, and even near the Mediterranean. Additionally, as such an important Biblical site, there are many hikes that are also pilgrimages for Christians to walk where Jesus walked. Here, we offer some of the best hikes throughout Israel, which have a variety of difficulty levels.
Best Hikes- Dead Sea Area Israel
1. Wadi Arugot, Ein Gedi
Distance – 3.1km dry route or 4.1km along the wet route to the Upper Pools (one way)
Time Taken – Allow a couple of hours for the return walk plus swimming time
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – Loop
Start & End Point – Wadi Arugot parking lot
Why we love this hike – It is an incredibly beautiful hike through sandstone mountains then you can take a dip in a cool emerald pool near the Dead Sea.
The Wadi Arugot trail is a loop through the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. There are many fascinating animals, a magical desert landscape, cool waters, and a beautiful waterfall. The trail begins at the entry point to the park and winds through the canyon and reaches the water oasis.
There are two trails through the nature reserve. The red one is the dry trail, and the blue one passes through the water stream, which is more challenging. It is a good idea to make stops at the many magical spots along the trail and take in the surrounding landscape. Make sure you stop at some of the little wading pools where you can dip your feet and rest. The first pool is deep enough to swim in.
Finally, there are tons of things to see along the way, not just pools and waterfalls. The entry complex of the park offers a convenience store, an information station, picnic benches, and bathrooms. There is even an old Synagogue to explore.
2. Snake Path, Masada
Distance – 2.5km each way
Time Taken – 1.5 hours up and 45 minutes down
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – Out and Back
Start & End Point – Masada Eastern Entrance
Why we love this Israel hike: Watching the sunrise over the Dead Sea is an experience we will never forget; it is just magical. We absolutely loved hiking up this mountain, but it was more challenging than we expected. There are a lot of stairs, and the terrain is rocky and not flat. Check out our whole experience at Masada here.
Best Hikes- Near Eilat, Israel
3. Red Canyon, Eilat
Distance – Long Hike: 5km, Short Hike: 2km
Time Taken – 1 hour 20
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – Loop
Start & End Point – Red Canyon Parking Lot
Why we love this hike: This incredible canyon is one of the best canyons to explore. You can do this hike without a guide!
This hike is very straightforward but has some challenging sections inside the narrow canyon! Start the walk at the parking lot and follow the green markers down to the Wadi. The Wadi starts off wide, and within the first few hundred meters, the canyon starts getting narrow. You’ll find many handles along the way.
Here, you get to experience the real red aspect of the Red Canyon! There will be a junction with a black-marked trail. Continue following the green markers for 1.5km before getting to another black-marked trail. Here, you’ll turn right and follow the black trail. Finally, when you find the red-marked trail, you’ll loop back to the starting point.
4. Ada Canyon
Distance – 6.1 km
Time taken – 1 hour 40 minutes
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – Loop
Start & End Point – Ada Canyon Parking Lot
Why we love this hike: An epic slot canyon followed by some fabulous ridge line walking. It’s desert heaven!
This is a very popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking! It can get hot here, so make sure to bring plenty of water. The trail is open year-round, and dogs on leashes are welcome.
It is a beautiful sandstone canyon with incredible desert magic. The route passes through the canyon, which becomes narrower and more beautiful as you ascend it. The top of the canyon offers incredible views, where you can see three streams connecting.
Is Eilat worth visiting? Check out all the reasons why we love Eilat!
5. Black Canyon, Eilat
Distance – 5.18km
Time taken – 1 hr 15
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – Loop
Start & End Point – Black Canyon Car Park
Why we love this hike: An uncrowded, easy walk through a canyon with epic views and amazing desert structures.
This trail starts by going straight into Black Canyon. It is one of the wider ones in Israel, which makes it easier to navigate. There are a couple of small climbs with metal rungs. It can be combined with the Amram Columns or can be an out-and-back.
Pro-Tip: To get here, you’ll head north from Eilat on Highway 90, make a U-turn at Be’er Ora, and at the 20 KM marker, turn right. You’ll see the Amram Pillars post. At the fork in the road, left is Black Canyon, and right is Amram Pillars.
6. Amram Pillars
As you’re in the area, you should also check out Amram Pillars. These natural pink rock formations look like columns. It is not a far walk from the parking lot, so you can make it a quick, easy walk if you don’t have time for the canyon.
It is only around five minutes along the trail before you see the pillars and you won’t need too long to take it all in. You can walk from the canyon to the columns, but it’s a long walk, and then you have to walk back. We’d recommend driving.
Best Hikes – near Mitzpe Ramon
7. Ein Avdat
Distance – 2.6km
Time Taken – 1 hour
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – One way
Start & End Point – Midreshet Ben-Gurion
Why we love this hike: The views, the wildlife, and the ladders all make for a unique hiking experience.
Ein Avdat is one of the National Parks that must be visited! It is on the Israel Pass. The hike is strictly one way past the top of the canyon, so you will need to take the park shuttle service to get back to the trailhead.
The trail goes through a huge canyon and to a series of emerald pools. It is flat and easy to walk. You might even see some ibex along the way. After the pools, head up the staircase to enjoy some great canyon views.
8. Makhtesh Ramon
Distance – 40 KM
Time Taken – Depends on length
Difficulty – Moderate-difficult
Type of Walk – Out and Back or Loop
Start & End Point – Makhtesh Ramon Visitor’s Center
Why we love this hike: This is the biggest crater in the world which creates an incredibly unique desert landscape.
There are various tours you can take in or around the crater. We enjoyed going for a little out-and-back at the Colorful Sands. The more demanding but rewarding experience is hiking to the summit of Mount Ardon. A crazier adventure is the Negev “inn to inn” Trek, a six-day hike through Israel’s desert.
Best Hikes – Golan & Galilee, Israel
9. Yehudia Reserve
Distance – 6 km
Time Taken – 1-2 hours
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – Loop
Start & End Point – Reserve Parking Lot
Why we love this hike: This park has the three largest streams in the area, and it’s so much fun to hike and then swim!
Yehudiya Nature Reserve is such an amazing place to go! There is a great selection of hikes, amazing natural pools, and even a campground. Follow the green trail to the Zavitan stream, then turn onto the red-marked trail, and you’ll be at the Gorge of Nahal Zavitan. Go swimming and enjoy a long break. Different trails will take you to each of the streams.
10. Mount Arbel
Distance – 8 KM (or you can do the short hike by driving to the summit)
Time Taken – 2 hours (or about 10 minutes)
Difficulty – Very Challenging (easy)
Type of Walk – Loop
Start & End Point – Hamam Village (Mount Arbel National Park Parking Lot)
Why we love this hike: The amazing views of the Sea of Galilee from the top of Mount Arbel.
This hike has one of the most iconic viewpoints in Israel! From the top you can even see Mount Hermon. A climb to the summit is pretty easy for every hiker visiting Israel. Additionally, there is an ancient fortress carved into the cliff and an ancient synagogue.
11. Nahal Amud
Distance – 5 km
Time Taken – 1 hour
Difficulty – Very Easy
Type of Walk – Loop
Start & End Point – Amund National Park Parking Lot
Why we love this hike: One of the most beautiful streams in the Galilee mountains. Plus, it’s the only place where you can see the Mediterranean and the Sea of Galilee at the same time.
This hike is great for summer because it has plenty of shade under the trees and the stream water flows year round. There are so many hiking options from easy walks to seriously challenging hikes. The Yam l’yam trek passes through the Amud Stream.
Take the black marker trail to Shechvi Pools. Then take the blue marker and follow it back to the parking lot. Be sure to check out the town of Safed; it’s very cute.
12. Yam l’Yam (Sea to Sea Trail)
Distance – 70 km
Time Taken – 3+ Days
Difficulty – Challenging
Type of Walk – One Way (can do out and back)
Start & End Point – Mediterranean to Sea of Galilee
Why we love this hike: It is such a great way to see all the Northern part of Israel has to offer.
Starting on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea near Gesher Haziv, Yam l’yam is a multi-day hike that bisects the north of Israel. You’ll end up touching the Sea of Galilee. It can be done in as little as three days if you’re walking over 20 km a day.
The trek is different every day with varying topography, vegetation, and history. You’ll go from Achziv to Ma’alot Tarshiha then to Meron and to Keri Deshe. You get the choice to stop into local hotels or inns for sleep each night or you can camp under the stars.
It is incredibly important that you have enough water while on your hike. Of course, you’ll also want to pack meals and snacks for each day, as you can be on the trail for 7-9 hours a day. Finally, ensure to have a paper copy of the trail before you go.
Biblical Hikes & Walks
13. Jesus Trail
Distance – 65 km
Time Taken – 3-6 Days
Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
Type of Walk – One Way
Start & End Point – Starts in Nazareth, Ends in Capernaum
Why we love this hike: It is incredibly special and spiritually moving to walk where Jesus walked.
In the Lower Galilee region, this is one of the best hikes in Israel, especially if you’re interested in walking in Jesus’s steps. The trail starts at the center of Nazareth near the Basilica of the Annunciation (one of our favorite churches in Israel). Through these 60 km, you’ll connect the important sites from Jesus’s life.
Along the way, you’ll see Kfar Kana (wedding at Cana chapel), Zippori, Horns of Hattin, Arbel, Magdala, The Jesus Boat at Kibbutz Ginosar, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, and, of course, Capernaum. We recommend using a tour guide in order to get the full educational and authentic experience through this landscape. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime hike.
14. Mount Tabor Hike – (The Story of Deborah the Prophet)
Distance – 6 km
Time Taken – 2 hours
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – Out and back
Start & End Point – Israel National Trail in Shvil, the base of Tabor mountain
Why we love this hike: There is nothing like seeing the mountain from the Old Testament, but from the top, you get incredible views of the Lower Galilee area.
Mentioned 7 times in the Old Testament, Mount Tabor was the setting for the biblical story of Deborah the prophet. Years later it was where Jesus transfigured with bright rays of light in front of the Apostles. Today the Church of the Transfiguration sits atop this mountain that is ready for the climbing.
If you are short on time or not up for a hike up, you can drive to the top and walk around to explore! For the full climb you’ll follow the green markers up to the Church complex. It is a mostly shaded climb which is nice in Israel.
15. Elah Valley Hike – (Battle of David and Goliath)
Distance – 5 km
Time Taken – 1 hour
Difficulty – Moderate
Type of Walk – Loop
Start & End Point – Tel Azekah Parking Lot
Why we love this hike: It is not only full of incredible views but also amazing to see where David defeated Goliath.
In the Elah Valley, where David defeated Goliath, we can walk along the ridges and hills to see where this integral battle took place. Along the way, there are the biblical towns of Azekah and Shaaraim. Depending on your time, there is a long loop and a short loop.
The loops both start from the parking lot, walking on the blue trail, which will take you to the top of Tel Azekah. From this hill, you get a great view of the Judean mountains and the Elah Valley. This is where the famous battle between David and Goliath took place.
This is a great place to read or listen to 1 Samuel 17. Continue on down the hill to make the short loop. The unmarked trail goes down the hill and meets an unmarked dirt road. Turn to the left and keep going until road #383. Continue going until you reach the Israel National Trail to the Shiklon Ruins. This is a great stop, and then you can head back to the parking lot.
Final Thoughts about Hiking in Israel
There are so many great hiking trails in Israel. Throughout the country, you can find beautiful landscapes that vary. Not only can you walk where Jesus walked, but you can see the history in all corners of Israel. Definitely spend time exploring this country on foot.
