Sea to Sea Trail: Crossing Israel on Foot

The Sea to Sea Trail (Shvil Yam el Yam) is a hiking trail that crosses the entire width of Israel from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee. The distance? About 60 kilometers. The time? Three to four days for most hikers. The experience? One of the best multi-day hikes in the country, passing through some of the most varied and beautiful landscape Israel has to offer. The trail has become increasingly popular in recent years, attracting both Israeli hikers and international visitors who want to experience the Galilee on foot rather than through a bus window.

The Route: Mediterranean to Galilee

The trail begins at Akko on the Mediterranean coast and ends at the Sea of Galilee near Kibbutz Ginosar. Along the way, it crosses the agricultural lands of the western Galilee, climbs through the forested hills of the upper Galilee, passes near Safed, and descends to the lake through the Arbel Valley with dramatic cliff views. The trail is divided into stages, each ending at a community or accommodation option. The terrain varies from flat coastal plain to rocky mountain paths to steep descents, and the scenery changes with every stage. Hikers begin with the salt air and stone walls of Akko, cross into green farmland dotted with Druze and Arab villages, and then enter the forested mountains where the air is cooler and the paths are shaded by oak and terebinth trees. The final descent to the Sea of Galilee offers a dramatic shift in landscape, dropping from mountain ridges to the lake that sits more than 200 meters below sea level.

Trail Highlights and Stages

The crossing of the Galilee mountains is the trail’s centerpiece. The forests of the upper Galilee are among the most beautiful in Israel, and the silence of the mountain paths is a world away from the busy cities of the coast. The descent to the Sea of Galilee through Nahal Amud and the Arbel cliff provides one of the most dramatic finishes of any hike in the country. Nahal Amud, a deep stream valley carved through white limestone, gives hikers a sense of wilderness that is hard to find in such a small country. The trail passes natural pools, cave dwellings used by Jewish scholars in the medieval period, and cliffs where Griffon vultures nest. The final stage along the Arbel cliff offers sweeping views over the entire Sea of Galilee, with the Golan Heights rising on the far shore, and the descent from the cliff to the lakeshore is a fitting conclusion to a journey that began three days earlier at the Mediterranean.

Practical Information for Hikers

The trail is well marked with blue and white blazes and is manageable for anyone with reasonable fitness and hiking experience. Most hikers complete it in three to four days, overnighting at guesthouses, kibbutzim, or field schools along the route. The best seasons for the hike are autumn (October-November) and spring (March-April), when temperatures are moderate and the landscape is at its most colorful. Summer hiking is possible but demands early starts and plenty of water, as the midday heat in the Galilee can be intense. Water sources are available at intervals along the trail, but carrying at least two liters per person per stage is recommended. The trail is suitable for experienced hikers traveling independently, but a guided experience adds historical and natural context at every stage.

Visit with Hoshen Tours

Hoshen Tours organizes the Sea to Sea Trail as a guided multi-day experience, with luggage transfers between overnight stops, comfortable accommodation, and a guide who knows every turn of the route. The guided format allows hikers to walk with a light pack, enjoy the trail at a comfortable pace, and learn about the history, ecology, and communities along the way. Crossing Israel on foot, from one sea to another, is something you will never forget.

Visitors exploring the upper Galilee often combine Sea to Sea Trail with nearby destinations such as Nahal Amud, Sea of Galilee, and Safed, each offering its own distinctive perspective on the region’s layered history and landscape. A broader itinerary might also include Mount Meron and Mount Arbel, both within easy reach and rich in their own right.

Every Hoshen Tours itinerary is private and fully customizable. Contact us to begin planning your journey through the upper Galilee.