South · One-way

Discover Israel Trail / Race

Nahariya → Eilat

All my rides →

Recent rain? Check the mud forecast before you go. Download the route’s GPX and upload it to ‘HaSingletor’ – you’ll get the chance of mud from the nearest rain station and the soil type.

Mud forecast Built by Boaz Yoffe · mtb.yoffe.net

Distance 1,156 km

Total climbing 15,750 m

Highest point 1,173 m

Lowest point -216 m

Days 6+ days

Difficulty Hard

Recommended months Oct–Apr

Israel's grand trail, from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. The Upper Galilee and the Golan, the Sea of Galilee, the Jezreel Valley, the Jerusalem hills, the Ramon Crater and the Negev and Arava deserts, with historic and holy sites all the way.

How to load the file to your device → Download GPX

Elevation profile

1,135 m -190 m

0 km 231 km 462 km 694 km 925 km 1156 km

Route story · Discover Israel Trail / Race

The whole country, Galilee to Red Sea

1,156 km from Nahariya to Eilat, the length of the country. You leave the Mediterranean shore for Nahal Kziv and the Upper Galilee, climb onto the Golan Heights to Har Odem, about 1,170 m, drop to the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan, about 215 m below sea level, then continue through the Jezreel Valley, the Sharon, the Jerusalem hills, the Shfela and the Negev to the Ramon Crater, the Arava and Timna, finishing on the beach at Eilat. A long and varied route with 15,750 m of climbing: in the north and centre services are close together, while in the south the desert calls for planning water and food.

One-way · Nahariya6+ daysOct–AprHard

1,156km

15,750m climbing

123km, longest stretch without fuel

43fuel stations within 200 m (300 m in the desert)

106water taps along the way

95night campsites near the route

There is no fuel station or shop for 123 km between Tzukim (km 971.5) and Yotvata (km 1094.5), only water at Paran (km 996.5) and food at the Neot Smadar inn (km 1060.8). There is also no fuel or shop between Nahal Shikma (km 651) and Arad (km 747), and between Mitzpe Ramon and Tzukim only Be'erot (km 929). In the south, plan water for every section in advance.

Firing zones on the way

The route crosses 17 firing zones, about 147 km of 1,156. Entering a firing zone requires advance coordination and approval, and zones can be closed on weekends and holidays too.

Firing zone 131 km 138–141 Golan fire-zone ops room 04-6977224
Firing zone 121 א km 170–176, 180–188 Golan fire-zone ops room 04-6977224
Firing zone 122 ב km 201–203 Golan fire-zone ops room 04-6977224
Firing zone 106 km 304–308 Northern Command coordination center 073-3483007
Firing zone 107 km 352–356, 357–361 Fire-zone ops room 04-6125212
Firing zone 203 km 452–458, 465–467 Central Command coordination center 02-5305042
Firing zone 208 km 503–507, 509–512 Central Command coordination center 02-5305042
Firing zone 503 km 762–778 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 502 km 786–798 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 504 km 809–829 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 520 km 859–869, 894–903, 905–913 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 600 km 869–877 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 1390 km 934–950 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 1005 km 951–954 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 50 km 1039–1057 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 326 km 1062–1068 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926
Firing zone 1001 km 1076–1085 Southern Command coordination center 08-9902926

Boundaries from OpenStreetMap (source: IDF) and may be out of date. Some sections are a road that crosses the zone. Either way, check and coordinate before you go. All coordination centers →

This story works without signal

Install the site as an app and save the route for the field. The map, elevation profile, fuel stations, water taps and campsites stay on your phone and open without internet.

Free, no sign-up.

The route at a glance

Fuel stationGrocery or supermarketWater tapNight campsite

01km ⁦0–60⁩

From the sea to the Upper Galilee

You leave Nahariya, almost at sea level, heading north to Achziv National Park, then turn into Nahal Kziv: Ein Hardalit, Montfort Castle above the stream, the Dlavim pool and Ein Tamir. After Ein Ziv you climb to Maalot Tarshiha, with supermarkets, and on to Hurfeish, up to about 810 m, the high point of the section. Then through the Har Godrim reserve and Baram, and down to Gush Halav and its ancient synagogue.

Along the way

km 0Nahariya railway station
km 5.2Achziv National Park
km 14.4Ein Hardalit night campsite, on the route
km 19.7Montfort Castle, 190 m off the route
km 22.4The Dlavim pool in Nahal Kziv
km 53The ancient synagogue at Baram, 240 m off the route

Resupply · km 37.2
Hurfeish: a 24/7 Delek station and a Menta

02km ⁦60–130⁩

Dishon, the Ramim ridge and Banyas

From Ein Halav you ride along Nahal Dishon and pass the Nahal Kadesh reserve and the Yiftach lookout. Along the Ramim ridge, above the Hula Valley, you drop to Tel Hai and on to the valley floor, about 70 m above sea level. At km 102 a fuel station, a shop and restaurants are grouped together, then you follow the Hatsbani and Nahal Hermon to Banyas and climb along Nahal Saar to about 1,000 m.

Along the way

km 61.5Ein Halav night campsite, with water
km 66.1Nahal Dishon night campsite
km 87.4Yohai and Dor night campsite, by the A.H. lookout
km 95.2Tel Hai National Park
km 120.2Banyas, 430 m off the route
km 122Sa'ar waterfall viewpoint, 320 m off the route

Resupply · km 102
Dor Alon and Alonit, 24/7, with McDonald's and Aroma beside them

03km ⁦130–210⁩

The Golan volcanoes

You pass Mas'ade and climb Har Odem, about 1,170 m, the highest point of the route. Then south between the volcanoes: the Oz 77 memorial in the Valley of Tears, the Bental reservoir and Merom Golan, the Quneitra lookout and the Bashanit ridge. After Naffach you cross Nahal Zavitan and Nahal Yehudiya, pass the Orha pool and drop to about 450 m. There is no fuel station between km 102 and km 212.

Along the way

km 138.6Har Odem, the highest point of the route
km 143.1Palsar 7 night campsite, on the route
km 147.7The Oz 77 memorial and the Valley of Tears lookout
km 154.2Bental reservoir night campsite
km 161.3Ein Zivan night campsite, with water, 450 m off the route
km 198.4Orha pool night campsite, 350 m off the route

Resupply · km 154.4
Druze pitta by the Bental reservoir. Ein Zivan, km 161, has a shop

04km ⁦210–268⁩

Down to the Sea of Galilee

At Ramat Magshimim a 24/7 Paz station is waiting, then you ride along the Nahal El-Al reserve, past Mitzpe HaBanim, and through the Nahal Meitsar reserve. From Har Nimron and Mevo Hama you drop about 650 m, from about 450 m above sea level to about 200 m below it, to Tzemah by the Sea of Galilee, with a fuel station, supermarkets and cafés.

Along the way

km 215.5Avinoam grove night campsite, 230 m off the route
km 219.5Mitzpe HaBanim, above Nahal El-Al
km 239Yinon Tamir lookout, in the Nahal Meitsar reserve
km 254.2Mount Nimron lookout
km 257.7Mevo Hama night campsite, 350 m off the route
km 265.4The historic Zemah railway station, 220 m off the route

Resupply · km 266.8
Tzemah: Paz 24/7, Yellow, Victory, Aroma and McDonald's

05km ⁦268–340⁩

The Jordan and the Harod Valley

You ride along the River Jordan at the lowest point of the route, about 215 m below sea level, then climb almost 500 m to Kokhav HaYarden. After Moledet you drop into the Harod Valley and the edge of Afula, with fuel stations and a supermarket, and continue along Nahal Harod, past Ein Jezreel and Ma'ayan Harod, to Nahal Kishon. From Tzemah to km 312 there is no resupply and no marked water.

Along the way

km 271The River Jordan, until km 276
km 291.1Kokhav HaYarden National Park
km 291.3Kokhav HaYarden night campsite, paid, 730 m off the route
km 323.8Ein Jezreel
km 326.8Ma'ayan Harod National Park
km 339.1Nahal Kishon

Resupply · km 316.7
Afula: Delek, Sonol and Mega

06km ⁦340–410⁩

Megiddo and Ramot Menashe

Near Megiddo you pass a Dor Alon station and enter Nahal Keini, then climb onto Ramot Menashe, to about 350 m, to the Gilad forest and its campsite. You descend across Nahal Taninim into the Sharon, cross Nahal Hadera and Nahal Haviva, pass Tel Kakun and continue to Nahal Alexander. On the way there is water, and fuel stations with shops at km 388 and 396.

Along the way

km 349.6Nahal Keini
km 365Gilad night campsite, on the route, with water
km 389.9Nahal Hadera
km 401.9Tel Kakun, a Mamluk fortress, 450 m off the route
km 404.6Nahal Schem dam
km 408Nahal Alexander

Resupply · km 348.6
Dor Alon near Megiddo

07km ⁦410–480⁩

The Sharon and the Yarkon springs

You ride between the Sharon's moshavim and fields, with hardly any climbing, past the Lord's House in Tel Mond and through Tzofit, with a grocery store, and a row of shops at km 432–434. At km 441 you cross the Yarkon near its springs and Tel Afek, then continue through the Shoham forest, Horvat Tinshemet and Tel Hadid to the Ben Shemen forest.

Along the way

km 421.6The Lord's House, Tel Mond
km 441.2Nahal Yarkon and the Yarkon dam
km 443.3Mekorot HaYarkon night campsite, paid, 630 m off the route
km 446.8Tel Afek, 350 m off the route
km 463.9Horvat Tinshemet, a mosaic and church remains
km 472.6Ben Shemen forest night campsite

Resupply · km 433.4
Spar and Shuk Ha'Ir, with Shufersal Sheli and Mega at km 432–434

08km ⁦480–538⁩

From Modiin into the Jerusalem hills

You cross Modiin, with cafés, shops and a railway station, and head out via Nahal Ayalon into the Kfira reserve. From there you climb from about 160 m to almost 790 m, near Har Rafid and in the Judean Hills National Park, then drop to Nahal Kisalon and Aqua Bella. You pass Tel Tzuba, the Castel and Mevaseret Zion, and descend to Motza and Nahal Sorek before the last climb into Jerusalem.

Along the way

km 485.5Modi'in Center railway station
km 499.1Tel Ayalon, 380 m off the route
km 522.4Aqua Bella National Park
km 522.8Ein Hemed night campsite, 140 m off the route
km 527.6Tel Tzuba, remains of a Crusader fortress
km 530.3The Castel national site

Resupply · km 485.8
Modiin: Aroma, Golda, a convenience store and a bakery. At km 529–530: Rami Levy, Delek and Sonol

09km ⁦538–605⁩

Jerusalem and the Ela Valley

You enter Jerusalem through Lifta and the Snail Bridge, pass the Mahane Yehuda market and Jaffa Gate, and leave along the Railway Park and Nahal Refaim. Then west to the springs of the Jerusalem hills, Ein Tamar, Einot Uzi and Ein Kobi, and to Begin Park, with several campsites on or right by the route. After Nes Harim you drop from about 730 m to about 240 m in the Ela Valley, past Tel Sokho, and finish in the Srigim forest.

Along the way

km 540.3Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon station
km 543.4Jaffa Gate
km 558.4Ein Tamar night campsite, on the route
km 569.1Ein Kobi night campsite, with a water tap
km 583.9Rock-cut steps of the Roman road, 270 m off the route
km 602.7Srigim forest night campsite, 140 m off the route

Resupply · km 594.9
Paz and Yellow by the Ela Valley. Before that, in Jerusalem, km 539–547: plenty of restaurants, shops and fuel stations

10km ⁦605–690⁩

Beit Guvrin, Lachish and Nahal Shikma

Through Britannia Park, past Tel Goded, you reach Beit Guvrin, with its amphitheatre and a fuel station. You continue over the hills of the Shfela to Tel Lachish and the Assyrian siege ramp, then south to Nahal Shikma, with a 24/7 Paz and Yellow, the last until Arad. The section ends in the hills near Lahav, with a Byzantine church at Hurvat Abu Haf, and at Nahal Hebron.

Along the way

km 616.1The amphitheatre at Beit Guvrin, 190 m off the route
km 635.2Tel Lachish night campsite, with water
km 635.2The Assyrian siege ramp, Tel Lachish
km 651.2Nahal Shikma, until km 661
km 668.5A Byzantine church, Hurvat Abu Haf
km 670.9Lahav night campsite, 170 m off the route

Resupply · km 651.4
Paz and Yellow, 24/7. No fuel or shop until Arad, km 747

11km ⁦690–750⁩

Yatir forest and Tel Arad

From Nahal Hebron you climb from about 440 m to almost 800 m into the Yatir forest, with Hurvat Yatir, water at km 712 and a campsite by the Yatir reservoir. Then down through the Tel Qeriyyot reserve and Nahal Beersheba to Tel Arad, and on into Arad, with a supermarket, food and a fuel station.

Along the way

km 701.8Hurvat Yatir, 200 m off the route
km 712Water near Shani
km 715.1Yatir reservoir night campsite, 240 m off the route
km 736.2The Aradian House, Tel Arad, 250 m off the route
km 736.5Tel Arad night campsite, paid, 320 m off the route
km 747.6Arad Museum

Resupply · km 747.6
Arad: Shufersal Deal and Burger Ranch. Dor Alon at km 749.6

12km ⁦750–810⁩

Har Yahal, Dimona and Yeruham

You leave Arad for Har Yahal, with a lookout at about 610 m, and drop almost 450 m from Har Kipon to Nahal Dimona. You follow the stream bed for about ten kilometres to Dimona, with fuel stations, a supermarket and cafés, then continue through the Yeruham iris reserve to Yeruham, with a fuel station.

Along the way

km 756.5Har Yahal viewpoint
km 758.8Har Kipon
km 764.7A water point before Nahal Dimona
km 769.7Nahal Dimona, until km 779
km 797.7Yeruham iris reserve
km 809Yeroham Stronghold, 155 m off the route

Resupply · km 786.2
Dimona: Paz, Ten and Cafe Cafe, with Machsanei HaShuk, Aroma and McDonald's at km 786.5

13km ⁦810–893⁩

The Zin valley, Avdat and Mitzpe Ramon

From Yeruham you ride through open desert, past Mt. Katu'a and Metzad Zin, to Midreshet Ben-Gurion, with a grocery and food. Along the edge of the Zin valley you cross the Ein Avdat National Park, with several campsites on the route, and continue to Avdat, with a fuel station and Aroma. From there a gradual climb from about 500 m brings you to Mitzpe Ramon on the rim of the crater, about 860 m.

Along the way

km 839.7Metzad Zin, 280 m off the route
km 842.7Ben-Gurion's Tomb, 220 m off the route
km 848.8Upper Nahal Havarim night campsite, on the route
km 852.2Upper Ein Avdat night campsite
km 857.3Avdat, 430 m off the route
km 891.4KKL grove night campsite, Mitzpe Ramon

Resupply · km 891.1
Mitzpe Ramon: Delek, Yellow, Shufersal Sheli and cafés. The next fuel is at Tzukim, km 971.5

14km ⁦893–965⁩

The Ramon Crater and the Incense Route

From here you lose almost 800 m. Along the Tzinim cliff you pass a Nabataean milestone and Mezad Mahmal, and inside the crater you reach Be'erot, with water and food. You continue to Ein Ardon and Nahal Nekarot, then along the Incense Route, past Mezad Masa, Horbat Qazra and Moa, down to the Arava.

Along the way

km 912Mezad Mahmal, 380 m off the route
km 928.8Be'erot night campsite, paid, with water
km 932.2Ein Ardon
km 942.8Mezad Nekarot night campsite, 100 m off the route
km 950.3Har Masa night campsite
km 962.3Moa caravanserai and fortress

Resupply · km 928.8
Food and water at Be'erot

15km ⁦965–1062⁩

Along the Arava

Through the Ashosh reserve you reach Tzukim, with a 24/7 fuel station and shop, the last until Yotvata, 123 km on. You continue south past Paran, with water, and the Paran viewpoint, and along Nahal Arava and Nahal Yaalon near Yahel. At the end of the section you climb to about 400 m at Neot Smadar, where the inn has food, coffee and water.

Along the way

km 966.8Wadi Ashosh
km 971.5Tzukim night campsite, 490 m off the route
km 996.5Water at Paran
km 998.8Paran viewpoint, 250 m off the route
km 1038.9Nahal Yaalon, near Yahel
km 1060.8Neot Smadar inn: food, coffee and water

Resupply · km 971.5
Tzukim: Dor Alon and Alonit, 24/7, the last until Yotvata, km 1094.5

16km ⁦1062–1156⁩

Kasuy dunes, Timna and Eilat

You pass the Kasuy dunes and climb Har Shaharut, about 530 m, then from the top of Ma'ale Shaharut drop about 500 m to the Arava and Yotvata, with a fuel station and a restaurant. From there south, past the Samar desert kites, to Timna Park and Solomon's Pillars, and to Be'er Ora, with an organised campsite and water. The last kilometres pass the flamingo lookout and end on the beaches of Eilat, by the Ink Flag.

Along the way

km 1072.3The Big Dune night campsite, Kasuy dunes
km 1085.4Top of Ma'ale Shaharut
km 1104Samar Desert Kite East, an ancient hunting trap
km 1119.6Solomon's Pillars, Timna Park
km 1130.1Be'er Ora night campsite, with water
km 1156The Ink Flag monument, Eilat

Resupply · km 1094.5
Yotvata: Sonol and the Yotvata restaurant. In Timna, km 1122, King Solomon Khan

Where to sleep

Depending on your pace, for example: Ein Halav (km 61), the Bental reservoir (km 154), Mevo Hama (km 258), Gilad (km 365), the Ben Shemen forest (km 473), Ein Kobi (km 569), Tel Lachish (km 635), the Yatir reservoir (km 715), Upper Ein Avdat (km 852), Har Masa (km 950), the Kasuy dunes (km 1072) and Be'er Ora (km 1130). All of them are free, and some have water.

Straight-line distanceDistances from the route are straight-line distances, not riding distances. Before you set out, check on a map that a trail or road actually reaches the place.

km 14.4Free

חניון לילה עין חרדלית 20 m off the route

km 61.5Free

חניון לילה עין חלב 40 m off the route

km 66.1Free

חניון לילה נחל דישון 20 m off the route

km 143.1Free

חניון לילה פלס"ר 7 20 m off the route

km 365Free

חניון לילה גלעד 10 m off the route

km 558.4Halfway

חניון לילה עין תמר 10 m off the route · Free

km 569.1Halfway

חניון לילה עין קובי 20 m off the route · Free

km 848.8Free

חניון לילה נחל חוורים עליון 30 m off the route

km 852.2Free

חניון לילה עין עבדת עליון 20 m off the route

km 852.2Free

חניון לילה עין עבדת עליון 20 m off the route

km 852.2Free

חניון לילה עין עבדת עליון 20 m off the route

km 1072.3Free

חניון לילה הדיונה הגדולה 40 m off the route

+83 more on the map

Where to refuel

Fuel stations, groceries and food within 200 m of the route (300 m in the desert). Fuel stations usually have water, toilets and a convenience store.

Straight-line distanceDistances from the route are straight-line distances, not riding distances. Before you set out, check on a map that a trail or road actually reaches the place.

km ⁦0–1⁩

10 cafés and restaurants

km 1.1

4 cafés and restaurants

km 6.8

Dor Alon

km ⁦28.9–29⁩

Mega Bul, Shufersal Deal

km 31.7

2 cafés and restaurants

km 37.224/7

Delek, Menta A café or restaurant

km ⁦39.7–40⁩

3 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦57.7–58.2⁩

2 cafés and restaurants

km 96

A café or restaurant

km ⁦101.6–102.1⁩24/7

Dor Alon, Grocery, Pina BaGan +1 9 cafés and restaurants

km 107.4

A café or restaurant

km ⁦129.8–130.4⁩

Grocery 3 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦131.3–131.8⁩

2 cafés and restaurants

km 154.4

A café or restaurant

km 161.3

HaHusha

km 180.1

Grocery

km 212.124/7

Paz

km 229.9

Grocery

km 261.8

Dor Alon

km ⁦266.8–266.9⁩24/7

Paz, Yellow, Victory 5 cafés and restaurants

km 312.7

A café or restaurant

km ⁦316.6–316.9⁩

Sonol, Delek, Mega

km 332

Delek

km 348.6

Dor Alon

km 373.7

A café or restaurant

km 388.6

Fuel station, Grocery

km 396.3

Dor Alon, Grocery A café or restaurant

km 402.4

Fuel station, Grocery

km 409.2

A café or restaurant

km 410.5

Fuel station

km 412.5

A café or restaurant

km 422

Dor Alon

km 423.2

A café or restaurant

km 428.5

Grocery

km ⁦429.6–430.1⁩

Tsofit Junction, Grocery A café or restaurant

km 430.7

Tzofit Grocery Store

km ⁦432.2–433.1⁩

Grocery, Yaynot Bitan

km ⁦433.4–434⁩

Spar, Shuk Ha'Ir, Mega A café or restaurant

km 439.9

Fuel station, Mini Market

km 446

Grocery

km 461.9

Paz

km ⁦476.3–476.5⁩

Delek Modiin Forest A café or restaurant

km ⁦485.1–486⁩

Grocery ×3, Neeman Bakery 7 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦486.9–487.2⁩

Tiv Taam A café or restaurant

km 510.8

A café or restaurant

km ⁦521.6–522⁩

3 cafés and restaurants

km 523.3

Grocery

km ⁦529.5–530.4⁩

Delek, Sonol, Rami Levy ×2 +2 2 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦532.8–533.5⁩

Grocery A café or restaurant

km ⁦539.2–540.2⁩

Sonol ×2, Paz, Makolet Tzion 5 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦540.5–541.4⁩

Grocery ×3, Super Cheap, Teller Backery +3 35 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦541.7–542.7⁩24/7

Grocery ×2, Judith Gluten Free, Neeman Bakery +5 76 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦542.9–543.8⁩

La Patteserie Abu Seir, Maria's Groceries 21 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦544.6–545.5⁩24/7

Sonol, Paz, Superdeal +1 8 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦545.8–546.6⁩

Oranim, Bread & More, Grocery +1 6 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦547.4–547.9⁩

Fuel station, Grocery 2 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦551.9–552.5⁩

Grocery A café or restaurant

km ⁦554.6–554.8⁩

Fuel station, Grocery

km 556.8

A café or restaurant

km 591.3

Grocery

km 594.9

Paz, Yellow

km 616.2

Delek

km 651.424/7

Paz, Yellow

km ⁦747.1–748⁩

סונול, Sonol, Dor Alon +2 3 cafés and restaurants

km 749.6

Dor Alon, Paz, Yeynot Bittan +1 A café or restaurant

km ⁦786.2–786.5⁩

Paz, Ten, Machsanay Hashook +1 3 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦804.5–805.1⁩

2 cafés and restaurants

km 806.7

Sonol

km 842.6

Grocery 2 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦857.2–857.3⁩

Paz, yellow A café or restaurant

km ⁦890.5–891.1⁩

Delek, Grocery, Yellow +1 6 cafés and restaurants

km 891.6

A café or restaurant

km 928.8

A café or restaurant

km ⁦971.2–971.5⁩24/7

Dor Alon, Alonit A café or restaurant

km 1060.8

A café or restaurant

km ⁦1094.4–1094.5⁩

Sonol A café or restaurant

km 1122.1

A café or restaurant

km 1130.9

A café or restaurant

km ⁦1154.5–1155.5⁩

Grocery ×2 40 cafés and restaurants

km ⁦1155.6–1156⁩

Mini supermarket, Grocery 22 cafés and restaurants

Distances along the route are calculated from the GPX file; the distance of each place from the route is a straight-line distance. Night campsites come from the site's campsite map, other places from OpenStreetMap. Not checked on the ground: confirm before you go.

Firing zones: OpenStreetMap, IDF data import

Distance, climbing and recommended months come from the routes table. Highest and lowest points are calculated from the GPX file, and difficulty is an estimate based on climbing per kilometre.