Yam le Yam (Sea to Sea) – “Inn to Inn” Trek

Yam le Yam (Sea to Sea) is a “Classic” 4 days Trek in northern Israel. You start at the Mediterranean sea, Cross the Upper Galilee ridge, visit interesting Melkite Christians and Druze villages, and the old city of Safed. Then, along Nahal Amud to the shore of the Sea of Galilee

Table of contents:

• Overview
• Testimonials
• Trekking with Accommodations and Luggage transfer
• Backpacking the Yam le Yam trail
• Main sights Along the Sea-to-Sea Trail
• FAQ’s

Trek Metrics
Number of Days	5
Distance	70 Km
Level	Moderate
Best	Mar - Apr
Possible	Oct - May
Price From:	000 USD/Person Based on: Group Size of 4. Two hikers sharing a room. Trek is on Weekdays. Trek is during low season./li> Price List
Price Includes:	Accommodation - 4 Nights Breakfast Daily luggage transfer from one accommodation to the next. Car Shuttles during the Trek. Hiking Maps Trek Guidebook GPS Mobile App 24/7 Phone support Detailed "one on one" Briefing meeting at your ccommodation on the 1st day. (Transportation to/From the Start/End point is not Included)
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Hike Description

Trek Metrics
Length: 70 Km / 5 Days
Level: Moderate
Best: Mar - Apr
Possible: Oct - May
Price From: 590 USD / Person. Based on: Group Size of 4. Two hikers sharing a room. Trek is on Weekdays. Trek is during low season. Price Calculator
Price Includes: Accommodation Breakfast Daily luggage transfer from one accommodation to the next. Car Shuttles during the Trek. Hiking Maps Trek Guidebook GPS Mobile App 24/7 Phone support Detailed "one on one" Briefing meeting at your accommodation on the 1st day. (Transportation to/From the Start/End point is not Included)
Backpacking: Prices per Group (Does not matter how many people) Detailed Hiking Maps: 50 USD (20 Tiles!) Map Sample1 GPS files with route, navigation notes and POI's (free with the maps) - Check Sample Unlimited Phone/Skype/Email/WhatsApp support before and during the trek: 150 USD Additional "One on one" briefing meeting before the start of the trek: 100 USD
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Overview Map

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Testimonials on Google from Real Hikers

Nicolas (FR)

Yam le Yam organized by Erez was among my best hiking experiences ever!

Hiking the Yam le yam trail as organized and supported by Erez was among my best hiking experiences ever. Preparation, communication, accommodation, and following-up… were flawless. I really cannot find anything that could have been done otherwise to provide an even better experience

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Claire (USA)

Yam Le Yam hike was fantastic...always quick to respond questions and provide tips

The Yam Le Yam hike was fantastic. Erez was so helpful from the time we started looking into it until the time we finished. He was always quick to respond questions and provide tips along the way when conditions changed. We were here at the end of March and the wildflowers were in full bloom. We highly recommend this hike.

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Barry (AU)

Erez is extremely hands on, with fantastic GPS maps that guide you along the way

Loved the walk. I did it with my wife Yam el Yam. Nahariya to lake Kinneret. Erez is extremely hands on, with fantastic GPS maps that guide you along the way
Erez gave us a a personal pre walk briefing, and kept in touch all along the way. The views, the people you meet along the way,. The different communities that host you from Melekite Christians and Druse.

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Check out all our reviews on  Google, A total of 40+ reviews with an Average Score of 4.9/5

Yam le Yam Trekking with Accommodations and Luggage Transfer

Day 1 – Nahariya

• We will meet in the afternoon/evening in the sea-side town Nahariya for a detailed briefing meeting to discuss all aspects of the trek, provide you with maps, and make sure that the GPS app function properly.
• Nahariya is a pleasant town on the Mediterranean coast. The main street is full of shops and restaurants, and an evening stroll along the seaside promenade is a perfect start for the Sea to Sea Trek.
• Nahariya is served by Trail from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Ben Gurion airport.
• Preferred Lodging: Olive Boutique Hotel
• The next morning a short taxi ride will take you to the trailhead.

Day 2 – Kziv Stream

Overview:

• Distance: 16 Km (5-8 Hours) / Climb: 600 m
• Short Version: 12 Km (4-6 Hours) / Climb 500 m
• Starting Point: Near Moshav Avdon (Reach with a short taxi shuttle)
• End Point: Fasuta
• Overnight: Fasuta
• Preferred Lodging: The Wooden Cabins

Itinerary:

• Our accommodation is 500 m from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. (The first Sea of the “Sea to Sea”)
• A 10 minutes taxi ride will bring you to the trailhead, where the “Yam le Yam” adventure begins!
• In case you want to shorten this day from 16 km to 12 km you can take a longer taxi ride and start near the Monfort. (With additional cost)
• If you want to literally walk from “Sea to Sea”, you can start the walk from Nahariya beach and walk additional 12 kilometers to the trailhead. (On flat minor roads and dirt roads)
• You will spend most of the first day of the “Yam le Yam” trek along the Kziv stream. It is the longest stream in the Galilee. The area is characterized by a very rich Mediterranean flora — a mix of Carob, Oak Arbutus, and Oriental plane, along with a wide variety of wildflowers.
• Several beautiful springs and pools provide great spots for a pleasant lunch break.
• Towering on the south cliffs is the Monfort Crusader Castle. A worthwhile short detour!
• The trail ends up with a climb from the riverbed to Fasuta. Where you spend the night in a cozy wooden cabin.
• Fasuta is an interesting Arab village. Most of the population are Melkite Christian. Their origin is from Damascus, Syria. The Melkite’s history is traced to the early Christians of Antioch, formerly part of Syria and nowadays located in Turkey.

Day 3 – Upper Kziv Stream

Overview:

• Distance: 14 Km (5-7 Hours) / Climb: 350 m
• Starting Point: Fasuta
• End Point: Druze village Hurfeish
• Overnight: Druze village Hurfeish
• Preferred Lodging: Hapisga

Itinerary:

• The trail starts directly from the accommodation.
• The first half of the day has some ups and downs over hills and ravines until you are back again in the Kziv stream.
• On this day you walk in a section of the Kziv called Wadi Habis. A pleasant trail that passes near several small springs will bring you eventually to the beautiful Ein Hotam spring.
• From there, a short walk will bring you into the pleasant Druze village Hurfeish.
• The Druze are a religious minority in Israel of only 100,000 people. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience their culture, heritage, and great food.

Day 4 – Mount Meron and Amud Stream

Overview:

• Distance: 22 Km (8-10 Hours) / Climb: 800 m
• Short Options: 12/16 Km (5-8 Hours) / Climb 350/570 m
• Starting Point: Horfeish.
• End Point: Safed
• Overnight: Safed
• Preferred Lodging: Ruth Hotel

Itinerary:

• The trail starts directly from the accommodation in Horfesh.
• This is the hardest day of the trek. 22 Kilometers with a total climb of about 800 meters. You can shorten it to 16 kilometers with a morning taxi shuttle (At no extra charge). Or to 12 kilometers (With additional cost).
• On this exciting day, you will hike to the summit of Mount Meron (1200 meters ASL). The highest peak in Israel west of the Jordan River. The trail that circles the summit provides amazing views in all directions.
• From the summit, you descend into Nahal Amud. The prettiest stream in the Galilee region. You will walk near the gushing water, underneath huge trees, and alongside ancient aqueducts and mills.
• After relaxing near one of the pools along the stream, a short climb will bring you to the beautiful old quarter of Safed.

Day 5 – Down to the Sea of Galilee

Overview:

• Distance: 20 Km (6-9 Hours) / Mostly downhill.
• Shorter Option – 11 Km (3-5 Hours)
• Starting Point: Safed
• End Point: Sea of Galilee
• Overnight: You choose

Itinerary:

• The trail starts directly from your accommodation in Safed.
• In case you want to shorten this day from 20 km to 11 km you can take a taxi to the middle point of the route. (With additional cost)
• You descend back to the Amud stream at a more eastern location than where we left it off yesterday.
• In this section, the stream is mostly dry but not less attractive.
• You walk between different vegetation types and varying climates. Passing through geological formations (one of which the stream is called after – “The Amud” – pillar) and passing prehistoric sites.
• Finally, you reach the shore of the Sea of Galilee. You are now formally a “Yam le Yam” graduate!

Backpacking the Yam le Yam with Camping

The “Sea to Sea” trail is a very convenient Backpacking route:

• The route is 100% continuous hiking. No need for any transportation from start to finish.
• There are small villages/towns to sleep in every night, either directly on the trail or near it. (You can see our recommended lodging options in the above Inn to Inn version)
• On most days, there are possible water and basic supplies refill spots in the middle of the way.
• All the trails are very well maintained and waymarked.

Yam le Yam Hiking maps

Yam le Yam Hiking Maps – eBook Sample

Main Sights along the “Sea to Sea” Trek

Kziv Stream (Nahal Kziv):

It is the longest stream in the Galilee, with the broadest drainage basin. It flows from Mount Meron, west to the Mediterranean Sea. It used to be in the past, a perennial stream. However, the Israeli national water company pumps most of the water from its bigger springs. During the summer and fall, only short sections have flowing water.

During winter and spring (and especially after heavy rainfall), water flow is much stronger and flows all along. The most beautiful section that has a water flow all year, including a few ponds and small waterfalls, is between points [2A] and [3] (Map 6). Plan your extended break in this section.

Monfort Fortress:

The Monfort fortress is one of the most excellent examples of fortified crusader structures from the 12th century crusader state period. It was built by the Teutonic Order (a Catholic German order founded in Acre in 1190). The fortress is built on a narrow and steep ridge directly above the Kziv stream. READ MORE…

Wadi Habis:

Wadi Habis is the name of a 4 km section of Nahal Kziv. It has a near-perfect half arch shape encircling Hurfeish from the south. It is a beautiful section with its own character, which is very different from the lower parts of yesterday’s section of Nahal Kziv. The stream banks have green meadows around them dotted with tall Oak trees. Along the way, there are impressive rock formations and 4 springs. The most beautiful of the springs is the last one, Ein Hotam.

Wadi Habis:

Mount Meron (1200 m ASL) is the highest mountain in the Galilee and the highest summit in Israel west of the Jodan river. An air force base is located on the summit itself, but about 50 m below, there is a hiking trail that makes a 360° circle around the peak providing great views in all directions. The slopes from all sides are densely forested with a beautiful and varied Mediterranean forest. READ MORE…

Safed:

Safed is a city in the Northern District of Israel. Located at an elevation of 700-900 meters. Safed has been identified with Sepph, a fortified town in the Upper Galilee mentioned in the writings of the Roman-Jewish historian Josephus. The city’s history spans thousands of years. Since the 16th century, Safed has been considered one of Judaism’s Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron, and Tiberias;

since that time the city has remained a center of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. The narrow alleys of the old quarter are full of historical buildings, legends, synagogues, and art galleries. An excellent source for planning your tour is Safed the safed-home.com website.

Amud Stream:

One of the most attractive streams in Israel. In addition to its natural beauty, there are also interesting signs of ancient human activities like watermills, aqueducts, and orchards.
The source of the stream, Ramat Dalton, is located 800 meters above sea level. Its drainage basin includes the peaks of Mount Canaan (955 meters) and Mount Meron (1,204 meters) and flows south through to the northwest part of the Sea of Galilee, a total descent of 1200 meters. However, the Israeli national water company pumps a big portion of the water from its bigger springs.

During the summer and fall, only short sections have flowing water. During winter and spring (and especially after heavy rainfall), water flow is much stronger and flows in longer sections. The most beautiful section that has a water flow all year, including a few ponds and small waterfalls, is between point [4A] and [4B] (Map 4). The stream is named after the pillar that rises high above the ground and is located near the end of the stream 5 Km from the sea of Galilee. Near the pillar, there are caves that were once inhabited by Homo heidelbergensis and later by Neanderthal Man.

Yam le Yam (Sea to Sea) – FAQ’s