Hiking and backpacking in Israel
Photo: EratosthenesofAlexandria, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Israel is a very convenient country for hiking in the wild, thanks to its mild and relatively dry weather, relatively unthreatening wilderness, the proximity of natural sites to cities, and not least – its extensive marked-trails system. However, many complications could occur – both natural and legal ones – that people travelling from abroad should familiarize themselves with, before hitting the trails.
The main considerations for planning your trip are summarized in the following checklist. Consult the list of destinations to choose where you want to go and understand how you should prepare yourself. Read also the safety issues below.
Note, backpacking in this article refers to wilderness backpacking and does not cover backpacking in the sense of inexpensive travel on a shoestring.
PrepareIf you're inexperienced in wilderness hiking in Israel, it's very advisable to consult local guides. See the section about travel consulting and information, below.
ConsultThe Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel operates "Field Schools" in many popular hiking regions in Israel.
RespectReserves and parks are managed by the Israeli Authority for Nature Reserves and National Parks. Some have an entrance fee (usually around ₪30 per person), though most are simply free wilderness areas.
Gear up
CampCamping is allowed everywhere in Israel, except in nature reserves.
AvoidThis section details safety considerations that need to be made while planning the trip. For safety issues that may arise during the hike, see Stay safe, below.
Pick your destinationOffering terrific viewpoints and many running streams and springs. You'll also find a lot of abandoned bunkers which can be fun to explore. Trails are mostly easy to moderate.
Stay safeThis section only deals with emergencies that may arise during the hike. For general safety considerations, consult the Avoid section, above.
Kick it upWhen the Israelis talk of a stream or river (Nahal in Hebrew or Wadi in Arabic), they're usually talking about dry canyons with perhaps a few short stretches of water that's actually flowing.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Hiking and backpacking in Israel" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: EratosthenesofAlexandria, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons