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 Map

Sea to Sea 4 days trek - Overview Map

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ABOUT THIS TREK
Yam le Yam (sea to Sea), is “The” classical multi-Day trek of the Galilee region. Starting on the shore of the Mediterranean sea on the west and ending at the shores of Lake Kinneret in the east gives a sense of achievement. The trek also passes and stays overnight at old town Safed, the Druze village Hurfeish and Melkite Christian village Fausta that are interesting locations for additional exploring.
The best time of year is Feb-March when the kziv and Amud streams have stronger water flow, and the landscape is green and dotted with wildflowers. The Trek can still be enjoyable anytime between October and May.

HOW DOES IT WORK ?
  • Your hike from one accommodation the next with a small day back-pack. We transfer your luggage from “Inn to Inn”.
  • Handpicked Hikers-Friendly Accommodations.
  • Hiking Maps. (See Sample1 & Sample2).
  • Trek Guidebook (e-book – See Sample)
  • GPS mobile Navigation App. (See Sample)
  • Briefing meeting. You can select one of the below options:
  • 1) Video Chat (Zoom or Skype): One detailed meeting about 1-2 weeks before the trek. A second meeting at the evening before the start to finalize the last details.
    2) Face to Face Meeting: One meeting a day before the start, or any other day before that during your stay in Israel.
    * Possible locations for the meeting: Haifa, any location north of Haifa (Galilee / Golan), Tel Aviv, or Ben Gurion Airport.
  • 24/7 Customer service support.

Testimonials on Google from Real Hikers

Testimonials from Google

Nicolas (FR)

5 stars rating review

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

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Claire (USA)

5 stars rating review

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

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Barry (AU)

5 stars rating review

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

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Check out all our reviews on  , 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

Nahariya. The start of the Sea to Sea trek
  • 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

A pool along the 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
Yam le Yam Day 1 elevation Chart

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
Ya, le Yam hike day 2 elevation chart

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

Mount Meron

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
Yam le Yam hike. Day 3 elevation chart

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

The pilar in Amud stream

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
Yam le Yam last Day elevation chart
Notes about the last day accommodation
We assume you would like to spend the last overnight near the Sea of Galilee. There are many hotels around the lake in a vast range of price, level, and character. This overnight is NOT included in the price offer. You can choose any hotel/lodge you like within a maximum distance of 40 kilometers from Safed and we will transfer your luggage from the Safed hotel to your chosen accommodation. (Transfer up to 40 km is included in the price offer).
Our Recommendation: Choose something which is within a short walking distance from the end of the trail.

  • Karei Deshe Guest House: Directly at the end of the hike. Modest accommodation with a beautiful beach and garden. (score 8.8, 320 Reviews). The Guesthouse it usually in very high demand and should be booked well in advance.
  • Nof Genosar Hotel: Can be reached from the trail on foot. (Two kilometers south along the main road). A high-level hotel with a private beach. (score 8.0, 190 Reviews)
  • Alternatively, you can tale the public bus to Tiberias where you have a large selection of hotels in a wide range of price and level.

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!
The end of YAm le Yam (Sea to Sea) trek. Reach the Sea of Galilee after 4 trekking days
The Sea of Galilee – End of Yam le Yam
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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 TRAIL EBOOK
  • Detailed Hiking Maps.
  • 42 Pages.
  • 23 Map Tiles.
  • PDF mobile-friendly file.
  • High-Quality printing.
  •  Super markets, Water refill spots and campsites along the trail.
  • Description of the main natural and historic landmarks along the trail.
  • price: 25 USD
  • Download eBook Sample
  • GPS file (GPX Format)

Buy Now

  • Immediate download via PayPal!

Need more help? Check out our Hiking Consulting Program!

Yam le Yam Hiking Maps – eBook Sample

Main Sights along the “Sea to Sea” Trek

A pool along the Kziv Stream

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.

Mount Meron

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…

Old quarter in Safed

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.

Ein Amud in Lower Nahal Amud hike

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.

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Yam le Yam (Sea to Sea) – FAQ’s

How many days does it take to walk the Yam le Yam Trek?

3-5 days depending on your pace

Are there companies organizing hikes on the Yam le Yam Trek?

Israel by Foot offers a Self-Guided Inn to Inn style travel along the trail with luggage transfer and accommodation in local B&B’s

What is the highest elevation on the trail?

1200 meters ASL (Mount Meron)

Is the Yam le Yam trail way-marked?

The trail is not formal and does not have its own marking. It is a connection of existing local trails. All of them are well marked

What is the best season to hike the Yam le Yam?

March-April when the chance of rain is small and temperatures are not too hot.

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