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JournalsIsrael National Trail Information
This page was written by Maoz Inon (maozinon@yahoo.com), who helped us with information about the Israel National Trail. He is currently working at reseraching more about the trail and is willing to help people who have interest in hiking it.
This page includes:
• Trail Overview
• INT FAQ's
• Water & Re supply List
• Long Trail Hiking Information & Resources
• General Tips
Overview:
Zigzagging its way from the northern border with Lebanon to the red Sea through the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Negev (the Israeli desert) the Israel National Trail (INT) cross historic places, Archeological site and unique landscape scenery. In 900 KM marked trail the INT is a trail with a diversity of rivers in north to the dryness and emptiness of the Negev, Modern and busy Tel-Aviv to old and holy Jerusalem.
Swimming in the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River and visiting the Basilica of the Annunciation will take you to the places where Christianity was born. Walking in the land where the Bible stories took place and seeing the evidence& the archeological sites make the trail holy & spiritual experience for every human being. Crossing many villages and town the INT is full of choices, and possibilities. To sleep near civilization or in the wilderness. To carry 5 days of food or to resupply almost everyday. It's all up to you to decide how you want the INT to be like.
The INT give the chance to experience superb desert scenery in relatively accessible way. Never more then 1 day hike from a rode or 2 days to a reliable water source. Magnificent desert colors, animals and flower will make it one of many highlights.
All this in a western, modernized Israel, where the majority is speaking English as a second language and willing to help. One won't recognize the picture seen in CNN… and will have a better picture of the place that is making headline news more then any where else.
FAQ's
1. When is the best time to hike the trail?
2. Water source in the desert?
3. Is it dangers to hike the trail?
4. Maps and books:
5. Trail Marks:
6. Resupply
7. How much water to carry?
8. Which direction to go:
9. Which direction to go:
10. Where can I get more information?
11. How long is the trail and how much time do one need to hike it?
1. When is the best time to hike the trail?
There are 2 good seasons - October to November & February to mid May.
I would pick the second one because:
The landscape is green and the flowers are blooming.
You would have more water in the creeks and the river up north would be much more impressive.
In both season you can expect rain in the north part of the trail. A tent or tarp and Rain gear would be good to have.
2. Water source in the desert?
I can think on 4 places that water drop will be very helpfully:
The small Crater
Ein Akev
Before Kenyon Vardit,
Kenyon Shehoret
If you need help arranging, let me know, I might be able to help.
3. Is it dangerous to hike the trail?
The Trail is not getting close to the occupied territories beside one place - near Lahav.
I felt very safe all along the trail beside this part, where I skipped 20 KM. carrying a weapon seems to me as very foolish and unnecessary.
4. Maps and books:
There is one book (so far) in Hebrew. I don't like it. It's written for families and day hikers, it's not updated (at least for now). The maps are all in Hebrew and buying all the maps might be expensive. There is definitely a place for a professional data book + maps + trail story both in Hebrew and English. I'm thinking of doing it, if you got any advice, I’ll be glad to get them...
The maps have water sources marked but it's not reliable. (To see water sources list go to the end of this page)
Their are no recommendation on places to stay or good campsite marks on the map
5. Trail Marks:
The trail is marked all the way in blue, orange, and white. It's difficult to get lost.
6. Resupply
The trail passes near towns and places you can buy food and resupply more often then you need. You wouldn’t need to carry more then 5 day's food. Every village, town, kibbutz usually got a grocery store. As big the place is the biggest the store will be…
7. How much water to carry?
Till you get to Arad and (if you had no heat wave on the way) 5 liters per person per day should be enough for drinking and cooking. If you want to take the ¨bottle shower¨ or you want to wet wash your dishes you would need some extra. There is no place along this part that you will need to carry more then one day water supply.
From Arad to Eilat 8-10 liters per day are needed. You would have some day and a half and two days from the water sources. See the water drop question.
8. Which direction to go:
I did it N to S so I'll start the pro for this direction:
a. The North part is easier and give your body a better chance to get in shape, acclimatize and adjust to the trail life. The water you need to carry is smaller and again giving your body time to get stronger.
b. If you are going in the spring (March, April) you will hike in a green landscape for the first half if not more. If you take your time and get to the north after mid April you would miss most of the flowers. This is right for the average year.
C. the finish line - I found it more appropriate to spend few day relaxing, in good hotel if possible after this kind of trail. Eilat is much more suitable then Kibbutz's Dan...
d. There are much more villages and kibbutzim on the north part with more resupply possibilities. For most of the hiker’s it's the first long trail and many mistakes are being made with water, food and gear. They are much easier to ¨fix¨ on the north. By the time you will get to the desert you would learn your water and food quantities and will get use to the gear.
Pro for S to N:
a. If you are going on the spring its make sense to hike the desert section before it's getting to hot.
b. You have better chance to ¨catch deserts floods¨ which are beautiful. It might be dangerous too...
9. Where can I get more information?
In English it's not going to by easy...
You can try the INT committee in phone number 972-3-6388719, 972-3-6388720.
If you got any help from them please let me know so I'll put it here.
Maps - If you want the entire set, about 16 maps. It's going to cost you About 16$ per map. The maps are very good and I highly recommend using them. You can do great with the maps alone. When you are calling the INT committee you can ask for tourist discount. If it worked let me know...I got my one set of map and will be glad to lend them, so let me know if you couldn't find any other solution. The maps are in Hebrew...of course. But would be very helpful even if you can't read Hebrew.
11. How long is the trail and how much time do one need to hike it?
The trail is about 900 KM (600 miles). For the average hiker it should take from 30 to 45 days.
Got more question? Think it was helpful? Please let me know - maozinon@yahoo.com
Water & Resupply list:
Eilat to Ramon
- Eilat
- 14 KM - you cross the road. 1.5 KM north there is army out post
- Timna S Park Entrance, food and water, Climb up the Timna Mt. Great views!
- Timna N Park Entrance - It's written that the water is not for drink. Ask the guard for water. If no one there I guess the water can't be that bad...
- Mitzpe Shaharot - Any house around. On your way down there is a camel's farm with water and restaurant + tent up the hill. Great views, good salad. Nice people. Accommodation.
Go to Ovda Dune, it's a detour but worth it. Try to get early in the morning.
- Neot Smadar- Food, water, nice people
- Mitzpe Shitim, on the east side of the Road. If you go to skip any section that's the one (Neot Smadar - Tzichor Junction)
- Faran, 5 KM detour. You can also skip the section to Sapir Center.
- Sapir center, water, might be food too.
- Mitzpe Ramon. Sleep in "Beit Sefer Sade - Har Hanegev" if you are looking for cheap accommodation and hot shower. Food & Water.
Long Trail Hiking Information & Resources:
1. Hiking H.Q: http://www.hikinghq.net/SGT Rock website include Hiking techniques, home made fear, food recipes and much more. There is also a
forum.http://www.trailforums.com/ : One of the best information sources for the US long trails and gear information.
2. "Beyond Backpacking", Ray Jardin.
The long trails Bible with no " ". Don't start hiking or buying gear with out reading it.
Tips
1. The Bottle Shower:
(From Ray's Bible). Take 1.5 L Bottle and make 3 little holes in the lid. Use natural soap and start with your upper body. Usually 1 L will be enough and you will feel fresh and clean in the end of the day. Keep the holed lid in your BP and use it for just for the shower.
2. Running Shoes:
Running shoes are more suitable for long trail hiking! As faster one realize it, He will have less blister, more enjoyable hike, longer day & mileage.
Running shoes are lighter; your feet will have more ventilation. Your knees will thank you for the extra cushion.
Many think that it's more likely to sprain the ankles this why. My answer:
• Use lightweight techniques, so you will carry as less as possible.
• Work on your ankles, start with day walk, move to 2-3 days etc'.
3. Removable sleeves
Hiking the Israeli National Trail (INT), I felt like I'm using too much Sunscreen to protect my hands and that I was still getting burned. I hiked with a polyester dry-fit T shirt and was thinking what can be done.
Version 1:
So I made 2 sleeves from old bandanna I had and Velcro them to my T shirt. Now I was able to protect my self from the sun, get enough ventilation and not buying a new shirt.
Version 2:
When my girlfriend wanted to have one as well she bought a long sleeves polyester shirt. We cut the sleeves to make it as a t shirt and Velcro the now removable sleeve to the T shirt.
4. Practice:
Don't start the long hike strait from tour couch or PC's chair. Start with day hikes, weekend and so on. Try to hike on varied ground with many ups and down as possible. It will help you learn and improve your abilities and skills. Your body will thank you!
5. Food:
Food is very important for both body & spirit. Save no money, weight or time preparing the best trail food you can make. See resources.
Here is my daily diet:
• Morning:
150 g of muesli plus half fresh banana or apple, mixed with milk powder.
• Lunch:
100 g bread, 120-180 g tuna with oil (Eat the oil too) with fresh tomato and onion
• Dinner:
150-220 g pasta or mash potato powder. Cooked with Olive oil, salt, basil, parmesan cheese. Frying Fresh pepper and salami adds very good taste.
• Trail mix:
Eaten during the day, every break. Contained 150-200 g of nuts, almonds, sun flower seeds, halva (sweetmeat of sesame oil and nuts), etc'. Use natural ingredients with out salt or any other processing.
6. Light weight gear:
Should be # one in this list. Reading the Bible will give you many good reason why and many methods about the how. Basically your hike will be more enjoyable, less chance for injuries and physical stress. You will hike faster, further and better.
Castrate on the main 3 heavy items: Tent, Sleeping Bag, Backpack.