From the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea

Once the annual hike for high school students and youth groups meant a wild week of energetic marching from the Mediterranean toward the Sea of Galilee with a pack on your back and hands of youthful love on your shoulder. But since that march from the Carmel to the Jordan valley, only the memory remains. To create a southern version of that hike we got together with two alumni of the northern route, Ohad Kochavi from the Trail Marking Committee and Yair Farjun of the Shikmim Field School.

Sycamore trees (Photo: Yigal Zur)

A word before we start: The proposed route is intended for good hikers, and is divided into seven days, with each day including a hike of between 12.5 to 15 miles. If you are not an experienced hiker you can expect to walk over 9 miles a day, in which case the hike will take another few days.

British Bridge over the Shikma river (Photo: Yigal Zur)

You can start the hike on foot or in a car, but not all trails along the route are suited to cars. Remember that this is a proposed route that has not yet been established. Trail maps 12 and 13 will accompany you throughout your hike.

Reservoir near Yatir forest (Photo: Yigal Zur)

Going with a Group

The Society for the Protection of Nature’s Shikmim Field School in Nitzanam offers various hikes. To arrange a group hike call 972-8-672-1235 or 972-8-672-8755. Negev area hikes can be arranged through the Mount Negev Field School of the Society for the Protection of Nature, 972-8-658-8615, 972-8-658-8616. To join the society’s hikes on the Israel Trail call 972-3-638-8688.