Guest Post by Eldrid Yarte.
Israel is a country encompassing more than 9000km of marked trails and is home to some of the best networks of trails in the world. No matter if you’re biking, driving, hiking, riding camels, or horses, trails are waiting for you to discover. Spanning most of the country, including the West Bank, there’s no fear of getting lost as the trails are all well marked out for you. Regardless if you’re a beginner or an advanced hiker, there’s a multitude of hiking trails for you to choose from. For those unsure of exploring the land alone, we offer Self-Guided Day-Hikes, Mulit-Day Treks with luggage transfer and Guided Hikes.
When packing for hiking, you can never be too prepared as you never know what will happen. That being said, packing too much also becomes a burden as any unnecessary weight you add on is extra weight you have to carry for the duration of the hike. Hence, you want to make sure that you’re carrying the right amount so you can still enjoy your hike to the fullest.
Based on the assumption that you will have your food and sleeping arrangements taken care of either at these Airbnb vacation rentals in Israel or other accommodations, we’ve put together this ultimate packing guide for your next hiking adventure to Israel so that you’ll be fully equipped and prepared to face any situations you may encounter during the course of your trip.
A comfortable and handy backpack
One of the most important things you will need to bring on your trip, is first and foremost, a good backpack. Regardless of the length of your journey, you will need to carry at least some equipment and water for the hike, not to mention snacks and first aid, and a good backpack makes all the difference in easing the pressure on your back as you move around for the whole day.
Dry sacks are also ideal if you’re going to be traversing wet terrain and need to keep clothes or equipment dry and safe. Don’t forget a rain cover for your backpack as well in case you experience sudden showers.
Some comfortable clothing and hiking shoes
Hiking Secondly, you would need to invest in a good pair of hiking shoes. You wouldn’t want to wear the wrong shoes and end up suffering blisters, so we suggest you look into a decent pair that isn’t overly expensive before you embark on your hike. During the hike, you’re bound to get sweaty so it’s always nice to have a spare change of clothes, socks, and underwear along the way. If you’re going to be exploring colder regions, don’t forget your thermal underwear and a thin windbreaker; and always bring a hat and sunglasses along with you to protect your face from the sun’s harsh rays.
If you’re planning on camping overnight, it is a good idea to bring a separate set of clothes for sleeping in too so that you don’t have to re-wear those clothes you’ve been wearing since morning. In the evening, you’ll also be able to air out those clothes you’ve worn during the day time.
Remember to bring those flip flops or river shoes if there is wet terrain along the way so you can enjoy the water without having to endure soggy shoes and socks for the rest of your hike.
Hiking equipment
Always, always bring a water bottle or bladder along with you, and start your hike hydrated. Israel can be pretty hot during certain months, and you do not want to risk fainting in the middle of a hike. Sweat in your eyes can be painful, so bring along a quick-drying towel to wipe the sweat off as you go along your way.
The multi-tool device is a nifty piece to bring along for your hike because it is light yet can carry out a plethora of tasks efficiently. If you’re venturing into steep or slippery terrain, bring along a pair of trekking poles to help you keep your balance as you maneuver those slopes. For those that plan on hiking deep into the night, bring a headlamp along as it not only safely helps you see where you’re going but also frees up both of your hands so you can better maintain your balance.
Camera equipment
For photography aficionados, we suggest bringing a separate camera bag to protect your camera, lenses, and equipment. This also makes it easier to get your gear out compared to digging through your whole backpack. Do remember to bring extra batteries and memory cards as well as you wouldn’t want to have to miss that perfect shot because you weren’t prepared.
Though optional, we also suggest bringing along a pair of binoculars as you might miss some amazing sights due to distance and human constraints.
Toiletries / Miscellaneous
When hiking, sunblock is a must and you may think that moisturizing skin lotion and lip balm may seem decadent, but when you’re under the harsh rays from the sun or being blown by cold winds for hours on end, your lips and skin will suffer and crack if you don’t protect them. You should also bring along a first-aid kit with band-aids and Compeed (for blisters) amongst other medications. Do bring along hand sanitizer and soap to wash your hands where possible as you never know if what you touched might be harmful to you.
As you’re probably going to be out for the whole day, pack some snacks like crackers and energy bars to get you through the day. As there are often settlements around hiking trails, bring some cash along with you so you can enjoy the local foods as you explore the terrain.
Finally, don’t forget to pack a garbage bag or two so you can throw your waste at your lodging and protect Israel’s gorgeous natural terrain.
We hope this ultimate packing guide has made you ready for your next trip to Israel. Do note that every terrain and trip is different, and you don’t necessarily have to follow this list religiously. Pick and choose the equipment that caters to your needs and feel free to take more along if you feel it’s necessary.