Hiking Abraham's Path in the Israeli Negev
Another long-distance cultural path in the region, Abraham’s Path, was initiated by Harvard University’s Global Negotiation Project in 2007. The path aims to recreate the journey of Abraham, father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, leaving his homeland of Ur/Ufa, traveling to Canaan and to his final resting place in Hebron. Goals of the Path include providing economic benefit to towns and village along the trail and encouraging increased understanding between diverse people.
Though there is not yet a contiguous trail, the general route includes Iran, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, with other future segments planned for Egypt and Saudia Arabia.
So far, segments of Abraham’s Path are open in Turkey, Jordan and Palestine, which can be walked with a guide. For more information, see www.abrahampath.org, and http://abrahamspath.org.uk (UK Friends of Abraham’s Path).
- Turkey (Hazreti Ibrahim Kultur Yolu)
- 150 kilometers from Sanliurfa to Harran
- Syria (Masar Al Thaqafi al Suri)
- Also known as the Syrian Cultural Route, and the Monastery Trail, from Deir Mar Musa to Damascus, still in development
- Jordan (Masar Ibrahim al Khalil)
- 80 kilometer trail identified with a shorter segment way-marked
- Also known as Al-Ayoun Trail (the springs)
- Palestine (Masar Ibrahim al Khalil)
- 50 kilometer section is being developed in the Bethlehem area
- Wider network of hiking paths available (see Nativity Trail)
- Offers 4-day itineraries and custom tours.
- Israel (Netiv Abraham)
- 60 kilometers being developed from Arad to Beersheva in the Negev Desert
More information: See a TED video by William Ury about the trail: http://www.ted.com/talks/william_ury.html
