Heschel Hazon Hike
Walking for a Sustainable Future for Israel
March 23-27, 2008
Comfortable indoor lodging
Daily luggage transportation
Rest stops with delicious food and plentiful snacks
Immerse in local culture
World-class education from environmental experts
Perfect for families, solo travelers, people of all ages
Traverse the spring flowers of the Upper Galilee
Climb to the peak of the highest mountain in the Galilee
Explore the ancient city of Tzfat
Visit our website for more information
Follow the Israel National Trail...
Through the spring flowers of the Upper Galilee
Up to the peak of the highest mountain in the Galilee
Into running streams lush forests
Up to the ancient city of Tzfat
Down through the canyon of Nahal Amud
And winding up at the shores of the Kinneret
The Heschel Hazon Hike is an incredible opportunity for you to experience Israel in an intimate and personal way. This hiking adventure will give you to opportunity to get out off the tour bus and walk along the same paths our ancestors traveled for generations.
The Heschel Hazon Hike will journey along Shvil Yisrael, Israel’s National Trail. Israel’s National Trail is modeled after the Appalachian Trail in the United States. The trail covers the entire length of Israel and each year the Heschel Hazon Hike will travel on a different captivating section of the trail. Distinct from the Appalachian Trail, the Shvil Yisrael does not exclusively stick to wilderness. The Israel Trail connects with villages, development towns, agricultural fields, and cities, giving participants the full breadth of features that make Israel unique.
In 2008, participants will hike the along the Israel Trail for four days through the dramatic Upper Galilee region, ending at the shores of the Kinneret, the world’s lowest fresh water lake. Our path runs through valleys and over mountains, past natural springs and ancient sites, and is full of breathtaking views and beauty. Our route will immerse you in the local culture and the natural landscape of the region. As we walk along the trail we will encounter Israeli school children, residents of the communities we are walking through, sheppards and their flocks, wildlife, and other hikers.
The Heschel Hazon Hike is designed for a range of fitness levels. Our route has been tested by experts in the field of outdoor experiences. We build in flexible options for participants with more hiking experience and for participants who have a slower pace. Hikers who choose to do so, will be able to walk from the point-to-point each day. When you are on the hike you are fully supported with guides, tour educators, medical and security personnel. Our support vehicles intersect with the trail at regular intervals to provide snacks, water, delicious and healthy meals. At some points along the trail, we provide a shuttle for participants who may wish to skip ahead to the next segments of the trail and shorten their walking day.
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| Property Amenities |
Restaurant |
Business Center |
Steam Room |
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Bar |
Internet Connection |
Wheelchair Accessible |
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Room Service |
Conference Facilities |
Animal Friendly |
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Laundry Service |
Swimming Pool |
Concierge Desk |
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Storage Areas |
Gym |
Travel Desk |
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Car Park |
Sauna |
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Additional: Your trip includes most coach transfers. We also move your luggage along the trail, so your bags are waiting for you when you finish your fun-filled day. The accommodations for your stay are at the best available along the trail and include a Kibbutz guest house, field school housing and a five-star hotel.
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Room Amenities |
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Private Shower |
Microwave |
Telephone |
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Private Bathtub |
Air Conditioning |
Fax |
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Private Jacuzzi |
Electric Fan |
Minibar |
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Private Toilet |
TV |
Coffee Maker |
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Private Kitchen |
Video/DVD/Movies |
Hair Dryer |
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Stove |
Internet Connection |
Trouser Press |
Meal Options |
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Non-Veg (all) |
Vegetarian |
Organic |
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Non-Veg (fish/chicken) |
Vegan |
Ayurvedic |
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Diabetic |
Low Salt |
Low Fat/Cholesterol |
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Kosher |
Hindu |
Muslim |
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Day 1: Sunday, March 23th: Travel and Orientation
Participants are encouraged to arrive in Israel before Sunday. There will be a coach bus available from the Ben Gurion airport at 1 pm and 5 pm to bring participants to Ma’alot. Participants wishing to arrive in Ma’alot will be able to take the train to Nahariya and will be picked up by a shuttle bus. Sunday will be dedicated to community building, registration and orientation. Participants will enjoy the accommodations in the Hacienda Forestview.
Ma'alot was created as a "development town" for Jewish immigrants from Romania, Iran, and Morocco, in 1957. In 1963, Ma'alot was merged with the larger Arab village of Tarshiha, and the unified town was renamed to reflect both origins. Tarshiha is mentionedin Crusader times (12th and 13th century) as an inhabited location. During the Crusades, several battles between Christian crusaders and Arab Muslims took place in the area.
Day 2: Monday, March 24th: Ramot Naftali to Mount Meiron- 8.6 miles (13.75 km)
After our orientation and safety briefing, participants will descend into the Nahal Dishon - the Dishon Wadi. We will follow this ancient dry riverbed as it winds westward along the southern border with Lebanon. Participants will continue to their trek through the Bar’am Oaks Nature Reserve, filled with rare and majestic oak trees. Bar’am is one of Israel’s National Parks. It contains the well preserved ruins of an ancient synagogue, constructed from large and particularly beautiful hewn stones. The size of the building is evidence that a highly successful Jewish community lived in this area during the fourth and fifth centuries. The facade, which is preserved almost in its entirety, is especially remarkable. All three gates face Jerusalem and are decorated with exquisite stone engravings; the imposing center gate is especially ornate. We will continue our journey through the Mount Meron Nature Reserve, the largest reserve in Israel with over 28,000 acres and breath taking views.
Hikers will complete the day at the base of Mount Meron, the highest peak in the Upper Galilee, which rises 1,208 meters above sea level. Hikers will finish their first day of hiking at the Mount Meron Field School. Established in 1964, Mount Meron Field School is situated on 30 acres of natural wood groves in the midst of a beautiful nature reserve. The Mount Meron Field School serves as a hostel for travelers on the Shvil and as a unique study center. It also serves researchers from around the globe, studying the wildlife, trees, flowers and other ecological aspects of the unique reservation.
Day 3: Tuesday, March 25th: Mount Meron to Tzfat - 10 miles (16 km)
Participants will begin the day with a gentle climb, winding through a forest 300 meters, to the top of Mount Meron. Mount Meron is the highest mountain in Israel, outside of the Golan Heights. The grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a famed Talmudic rabbi and author of the mysitcal text the Zohar, is located on the slopes of Mount Meron. Leading up to the anniversary of his death on Lag B'Omer, thousands of people camp out along the slopes near the tomb, and on Lag B'Omer itself, hundreds of thousands make pilgrimages to celebrate the occasion.
On the other side of Mount Meron, participants will descend into Upper Nahal Amud valley. Nahal Amud is the only riverbed in Israel that runs from the upper to lower Galilee. We will hike through beautiful river beds, lined by ancient water mills down that were used in the fifteenth century, when Safed became a center for the production of high-quality woolen fabrics, which were exported to customers all over Europe. The path ends with at the shallow Sechvi pools, which contain water all year round, create a charming little corner of the riverbed. As we leave these pools we will begin the steep ascent to the mystical and ancient city of Tzfat. At 3,000 feet above sea level, participants will enjoy the five-start accommodations of the Tzfat Rimon Inn & Spa.
Day 4: Wednesday, March 26th: Tzfat to Hokok - 8.5 miles (13.5 km)
At the start of the day we will begin a dramatic descent from Tzfat into the Lower Nahal Amud valley. About 20,000 years ago, the erosion that created Nahal Amud began to accelerate, leaving several caves suspended on the cliff. We will finish the day with an uphill climb to Kibbutz Hakuk-Balev where we will enjoy breathtaking views of the Kinneret and warm kibbutz hospitality.
Day 5: Thursday, March 27th: Hokok to the Kinneret - 5 miles (8 km)
On our last hiking day, will follow the trail south, out of the wadis and towards the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret). Since antiquity, the Kinneret has been surrounded by a ring of small communities and farmland, many of which still exist to this day. We will walk through the modern agriculture fields, to the water's edge.
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| Required Skill Level |
Open to All
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| Required Equipment |
Not Applicable
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Mountain Skills & Disciplines |
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Hiking |
Mountaineering |
Canyoneering |
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Backpacking |
High Altitude |
Caving |
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Camping |
Traversing |
Coasteering |
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Rock Climbing |
Aid Climbing |
Big Walling |
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Ice Climbing |
Free Climbing |
Ropes & Knots |
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Bouldering |
Solo Climbing |
Belaying |
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Indoor Climbing |
Lead Climbing |
Rappeling |
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Traditional Climbing |
Top Roping |
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Avalanche Awareness |
Outdoor Survival |
First Aid |
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Environmental Awareness |
Navigation |
Search & Rescue |
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Basics & Backgrounds
in Dutch
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