Hike at the places where those great stories occurred 3000 years ago. Blend your love for nature with your love for the bible stories.
We selected for you great hikes any hiker will enjoy. These hikes also pass through (or view onto) famous areas and landmarks associated with the greatest stories of the bible (Old and New Testament).
Elah Valley Hike – (Battle of David and Goliath)
The hike is centered around the Elah Valley, where the battle of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) took place. We will walk on the ridges and hills above the valley, visit the sites of the biblical towns Azekah and Shaaraim and enjoy pastoral views of the Judean plains and mountains.
Mount Tabor Hike – (The Story of Deborah the prophet)
Climb on the famous Mount Tabor (Mountain of Transfiguration). Mount tabor is mentioned 7 times in the old testament and was the setting for the biblical story of Deborah the prophet. Years later it was the location where Jesus transfigured with bright rays of light, in front of his apostles.
Mount Sodom Hike (From our Bible Walks Series)
The unique landscape on a white Salt Mountain. Mount Sodom’s soil containing 80% Salt creates a unique landscape that cannot be found anywhere else. Deep creeks and special rock formations all in bright white colors. It is also the setting of the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah, which is mentioned more than 20 times…
Horns of Hattin Hike
Horns of Hattin is one of the locations in the holy land associated with the “Sermon of the Mount”. It is also the site of several more biblical and historical events. In addition, it is an amazing viewpoint from where you can see Lake Kinneret, Mount Arbel, and Mount Tabor.
Muhraka Hike (Elijah and the Baal Prophets)
Hike on Mount Carmel, at the location where Elijah confronted the false Baal prophets. Enjoy the great views of the Jezreel valley below and visit the Carmelite Monastery of the Prophet Elijah.
JESUS TRAIL PILGRAMAGE
The most emotional Christian Bible Walk. Follow the footsteps of Jesus from Nazareth to Capernaum. Walk 60 Kilometers over the course of 4 days and visit Nazareth, Cana, Mount Arbel, Horns of Hatin and Capernaum READ MORE…
Short Bible Walks
A bunch of short bible walks. All these walks will take you to the beautiful nature spots in the Holy Land that are also connected to a famous bible story.
Mount Gilboa – 2 Samuel 1:19 “How the mighty have fallen!”
Ayalon Valley – Joshua 10:12 – “Sun, stand still over Gibeon!”
Ezion Geber – 1 Kings 9:26 – “King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elah.”
Capernaum – Mark 2:1 “A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum…”
Bethsaida – Mark 8:22 “And he cometh to Bethsaida…”
Mount Gilboa (The battle of King Saul against the Philistines)
2 Samuel 1:19 “How the mighty have fallen!”
Verse 19: “How the mighty have fallen!”
Verse 21: “Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain upon you”
Listen to 1 Samuel 31 and 2 Samuel 1
Recommended Tour:
Road #667 (The road is called in Hebrew “Derech Nof Giloboa” – The Gilboa Scenic Road) . It starts in the Jeezrael valley here and ends in the Jordan valley here. Over the course of 32 Kilometers, it crosses the Gilboa ridge with great views all along.
We recommend two short hikes along the route:
Saul’s Mountain lookout: Drive here. You can enjoy the view, and the sight of paragliding launching down to the valley below, or make a short 1 Km circular hike on the Green marked trail that passes along the edge of the cliff.
- Distance: 1 Kilometer
- GPS file Download
Mount Barkan Lookout: Drive Here. You can go up and down on the Red marked trail (About 0.5 Km), or make a 2 Kilometers circuit by going down along the ridge on the Green marked trail and walk back to the car along the main road.
This area is especially attractive to see wildflowers during the season. Thousands of people arrive here during March-April to view the famous and impressive Gilboa Iris. (The exact time of blossom changes every year).
- Distance: 2 Kilometers
- GPS file Download
Both spots are an excellent location to open the bible in the book of Samuel and read the related chapters.
Ayalon Valley – Joshua defeats the 5 Amorite kings
Joshua 10:12 – “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Ayalon.”
A short Hike to visit Ayalon Valley:
- The hike starts at the southern outskirts of Modiin. (A big city on the middle of the way between Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem, about 30 minutes away from both)
- Park your car (Or go by Bus) here.
- GPS file: Download
- Distance: 5.0 Kilometers. (2.5 each way)
- Level: Easy.
- The hike is straightforward. Just follow the Blue marked trail going south. The trail goes up and down on several rolling hills. Pay attention to the ancient terraces along the way, remains from the agricultural activities in ancient times.
- You can make two small detours on the Green and black trails to see those ruins.
- After 2.5 Kilometers when you are almost at the bottom of the Aylon valley, look for an unmarked dirt road going left and climbing to a viewpoint with a pergola.
- The name of the viewpoint is “Mitspe Kramim” (Vineyards lookout).
- A great spot to relax with the view of Aylon valley below and read (Or listen) to Joshua Chapter 10.
Etzion Geber (Eilat)
1 Kings 9:26 “King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elah.”
A short hike to a fantastic viewpoint:
- Walking Distance: 4 Kilometers
- Climb: 250 m
- Level: Moderate.
- Park your car (Or go by bus): here (Near the Eilat Field School).
- GPS file Download
- It is a great two hours break from the touristic Eilat, just 10 minutes drive south of the city.
- It is not possible to reach the location of the archaeological site of Ezion Geber. So instead, we will climb to the summit of mount Tzfachot for a fantastic view of the Gulf of Eilat with the Edom mountains on the Jordanian side., We can also spot the location of Ezion Geber (The biblical Eilat) at the head of the bay.
- Start by following the Green marked trail climbing to the summit of Mount Tzfachot (250 m).
- As we gain height, the views of the Red sea below become more impressive. On the summit, we meet a junction with a Blue marked trail.
- After enjoying the views, continue, with the Blue trail down to a saddle and up again to the northern peak of the mountain.
- From this peak, we have a clear view of the head of the bay where the Biblical Eilat was located.
- A great place to relax and enjoy the views, or try to imagine King’s Solomon’s ships sailing from Ofir to the port of Ezion Geber.
- Continue to follow the Blue markings all the way down to the main road.
From Capernaum to Tabgha
Mark 2:1 “A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.”
Capernaum and Tabgha are two of the most visited religious sites in the Holy Land. They are both located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee at a distance of 2 kilometers from one another. Visit both of them as a part of an easy and pleasant 4 kilometers walk.
A short walk near the Sea of Galilee:
- You can start either at Capernaum of Tabgha
- GPS file: Download
- Distance: 5.5 Kilometers.
- Level: Easy.
- Tabgha and Capernaum are connected with two walking trails. The Lake Kinneret circular hiking trail that passes near the shore of the lake (Marked with purple markings). And a paved promenade that passes parallel to the main road.
- A great way to visit the two sites is to park at one of them, walk to the other the hiking trail near the shore and come back on the promenade.
Bethsaida – healing of the blind man
Mark 8:22-26 “And he cometh to Bethsaida.”
- The birthplace of the Apostles Andrew, Peter, and Philip. (John 1:44: “Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter”)
- The miracle of the healing the blind man: Mark 8:22-26 “And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him…”
- The miracle of feeding the multitude: Luke 9:10-13 “When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him, and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida…”
Tour of Bethsaida:
- The archaeological site of Bethsaida is located inside the “Jordan River Park”. It’s a large recreation area with several short hiking trails, campsite, and picnic areas.
- Park opening hours: February-November 24 Hours, December-January 08:00-1600
- Admission fee: 60 Shekels per vehicle.
- Park Map: Download (Hebrew only)
- Walking Distance: 500 meters
- Level: very easy.
- After entering the compound park your car here.
- GPS file Download
- Follow the black marked circuit around the ruins of Bethsaida. At the top, there is a balcony with a great view of the Sea of Galilee.
- You can combine it with additional short hikes in the park (Ranges between 1-3 kilometers). Check here for more information, or ask the park rangers.
