FAQs
1. When is the best time to hike the trail?
2. What are the sources of water and how much should I carry?
3. Where do I sleep at night?
4. Footwear and clothing
5. Maps
6. GPS and Trail Markers
7. Resupply
8. Which direction to go?
9. How long the trail and how much time does one need to hike it?
10. How do I get to Nazareth?
1. When is the best time to hike the trail?
Fall and Spring are the optimal season - October to November & February to mid-May. Spring is preferable as the landscape will be green and lush, flowers will be in bloom, and creeks and rivers will have more water. In the fall the landscape can be quite dry. In both seasons you can expect some rain, so plan to pack a tent or tarp and rain gear. December and January are the rainy months and not the preferable time to walk the trail. June to September can be quite hot.
2. Are water sources water available and how much should I carry?
Water is readily available every few hours for most of the trail. On the return section from the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee to Mt. Tabor there is a longer stretch without water. Contact us and we can see if we can help you. Five liters per person per day should be enough for drinking and cooking. If you want to take ‘bottled shower’ or you want to wet wash your dishes you would need some extra.
3. Where can I sleep at night?
Visit our list of accommodations and restaurants on this website. If you wish to camp, there are many nice places to pitch a tent along the route. Camping is not permitted in nature reserves, and be sure not to have a campfire in wooded and forested areas. Israelis are generally friendly and laid back about free camping. If you stake out a spot near a house or see someone out and about it’s a good idea to ask for permission. You never know, they might invite you in for dinner while you’re at it.
4. Footwear and clothing
The most important thing in planning your trek is to bring comfortable, worn in footwear. We recommend sturdy hiking shoes or boots as the trail involves some sections of rough terrain, although most is on dirt 4×4 tracks. We do not recommend wearing sandals. Modest clothing is also recommended for passing through villages and entering holy sites, as many churches do not allow visitors in if they are wearing shorts.
5. Maps and books:
This website is the best source for information on the Jesus Trail and there are currently no books written on the route. Israeli hiking maps are available at most bookstores in the country, and map #3 will provide a 1:50,000 scale layout of the entire hiking area. The maps have water sources marked but they’re not reliable. There are no recommendations on restaurants, places to stay or good campsite markers on the map, but you can find them on our website at: Accommodations and Restaurants.
Check out the maps on this website, including the full route on one map and the entire trail divided into shorter sections.
6. Trail Markers:
At this time, the trail is not physically blazed but is marked by GPS coordinates. Click here for in depth information on using the a GPS device with the Jesus Trail.
7. Resupply:
The trail passes near towns and places where you can buy food and resupply often. You shouldn’t need to carry more than two day’s worth of food. Every village, town, and kibbutz usually has a grocery store.
8. Which direction should I hike?
Nazareth is higher in elevation than the Sea of Galilee, so hiking the one way route to the Mount of Beatitudes is basically downhill. If you choose to hike the return route, you will climb out of the Rift Valley to your starting elevation in Nazareth. If hiking the entire loop, we recommend going clockwise (Nazareth-Golani Junction-Arbel-Mount of Beatitudes-Tiberias-Mount Tabor-Nazareth).
9. How long the trail and how much time do I need to hike it?
The trail is about 60 KM (40 miles) to Capernaum. For the average hiker it should take from 3 to 5 days. The return route looping to the south adds an additional 3-5 days.
10. How do I get to Nazareth? You can check the bus schedules under transportation. If you’re traveling from Ben Gurion airport, you can take the train directly from the airport to the station Merkaz Hashmona in Haifa. Outside there is a small bus station– bus 331 leaves for Nazareth about every half hour. There are direct buses from Jerusalem to Nazareth every day (except Saturday) at 4pm and 6pm. On Friday, direct buses leave Jerusalem at 12:30 and 14:00.
Remember that there are no Israeli buses from early afternoon on Friday until an hour after dark on Saturday. Plan your transportation accordingly. Cars can be rented at reasonable rates in any major city.