The Herod Trail is a 65-kilometer hiking trail through the Judean Desert that follows the route described by the historian Josephus for Herod the Great’s funeral procession from Jericho to Herodium in 4 BCE. The trail connects the Hasmonean and Herodian palaces at Jericho to Herod’s palace-fortress and tomb at Herodium, passing through some of the most dramatic desert scenery in Israel.
Funeral Procession
Josephus describes the funeral in elaborate detail: Herod’s body was laid on a golden bier studded with precious stones, draped in purple, with a crown on the head and a scepter in the hand. The bier was followed by Herod’s family, the army in full battle array (infantry, cavalry, and 500 servants carrying spices), and a vast procession that moved at a walking pace, covering eight stadia (about 1.5 kilometers) per day. The procession took several days to reach Herodium, where Herod was buried on the mountainside.
The Trail
The trail is divided into four to five day-hikes, each covering a section of the route through the desert hills and wadis between Jericho and Herodium. The terrain is rugged and beautiful: chalk hills, deep canyons, and the vast emptiness of the Judean Desert. The trail passes Bedouin encampments, ancient cisterns, and the ruins of way stations from the Roman period. The final section climbs to Herodium, where the tomb was finally discovered in 2007 after 35 years of searching.
Practical Information
The trail is marked and maintained by the Israel Trail Committee. Day-hikes on individual sections are possible, or the full trail can be completed in 4-5 days with camping. The desert sections require adequate water (minimum 4 liters per day in summer), sun protection, and proper navigation. The trail is best hiked between November and March, when temperatures are moderate.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The Herod Trail combines desert hiking with one of the great stories of the ancient world. Hoshen Tours offers guided sections of the trail, with the funeral procession as the narrative thread.