HIKING - Active Day Excursions

HA1- Upper Galilee and Tzfat
Start a hike in paradise alongside the Amud River. Spot the many flowers and if lucky see red foxes, golden Jackals, Egyptian mongooses, otters, coypu, mountain gazelle, and jungle cats.  Enjoy the shade of the groves of fruit trees, and running water beside old flourmills and water pools. Under the tallest pine trees in Israel, hear the river reveal it’s ancient tales, before visiting Tzfat, the City of Mystical Judaism and Kabala. Explore the narrow alleyways lined with ancient synagogues and artists' galleries. End the trip at a beautiful observation point high above the Galilee looking into Syria.

Best time:  Year round
Length: 1 day

Combine with:
- The cranes at the Hula Bird Reserve
- The griffin vultures at Gamla Nature Reserve
- Sunset hike and swim in the Zaci River
- Jesus’ baptismal site
- Nazareth Voyage on the Sea of Galilee in ‘Jesus’ boat
- Capernaum, Tabga & Mount of Beatitudes

HA3 – The Jerusalem Hills
Greeted by a biblical atmosphere of ancient agriculture and beautiful stone terraces, start on the paths of Sataf Park in the Jerusalem Hills. Walk through breathtaking scenery, and learn about biblical agricultural practices and the way residents utilized water in past times. Visit the spring of Ein Hindak, and venture into a deep tunnel (HA3w)

Or, visit a Christian monk, a grandmother embroidering her life story, and beautiful orchids—all in a day dedicated to acquaintance with the people and places of the Jerusalem hills. Hike through Maa’le Ha-Hamisha and the village of Abu Gosh, and sample the best hummus in Israel (HA3p).

Best time: Spring, Summer, Fall
Length: 1 – 2 days

Combine with:
• The Old City of Jerusalem
• The Knesset & Supreme Court
• Jerusalem Bird Observatory
• National Museum and Dead Sea scrolls
• The Chagall Windows at Hadassah Hospital
• Yad Vashem – the holocaust museum & memorial
• Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

HA4 – Dead Sea & Judean Desert: Oases & Ancient Cave Hideouts
Driving the only paved road from the Dead Sea shore to the top of the western escarpment, start with an awe-inspiring view across the Rift Valley to Jordan. Huge flocks of migrating birds move north and south. With ibex everywhere, spot the rare mountain sheep and hyrax too. Descend the cliff path into Wadi Darga, engulfed by the awesome canyon faces. Along the way visit, the ancient cave of Bar Kochba where Jewish revolutionaries hid out in 123AD, then arrive at the canyon bottom and hike a couple of kilometers along the river bed to end (NA4md).

Or visit the luxuriant oasis of Ein Gedi, the biblical spot where David met Jonathan and hid from King Saul. Hike from the resort base to the waterfalls and natural bathing pools experiencing remarkable desert greenery; sight raptors, as well as desert birds enjoying the fresh springs; spot ibex, hyrax, desert reptiles and more. Spring visitors expect to be awed by the desert flowers in bloom. Summer requires an early start (NA4eg).

Best time: Year round - Spring for desert blooms
Length: ½ - 2 Days

Combine with:
• Qumran, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, John the Baptist, and the Essenes
• Masada, the last Jewish stand against the Romans
• A Dead Sea experience floating as you read
• Birding at the Dead Sea
• Mountain Biking Dead Sea canyons
• Rappelling the cliffs