The Yam L’ Yam Hike (Sea to Sea) is one of the most popular hiking trails in Israel literally crossing the country from west to east, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee, crossing some of Israel’s most beautiful scenery in the Western Galilee and Upper Galilee regions. The Sea to Sea hike is walked by thousands of Israelis and tourists every year, and takes between three to five days depending on how fast you walk, along marked scenic trails.
The trail starts in the city of Nahariya on Israel’s Mediterranean Coast, in the Western Galilee region of the country and heads directly inland through the flat Coastal Plain, and the fields belonging to kibbutzim and moshavim who grow a huge variety of crops. As the Coastal Plain is left behind, the terrain begins to pick up and the final glimpse of the first sea (the Mediterranean) is left behind. You will pass the Montfort Fortress. Heading from Abirim, the trail continues east until the village of Fassuta, when it turns south winding its way past the villages of Elkosh and Hurfesh and towards Mount Meron. Following this is largely the descent down to the Sea of Galilee (the lowest freshwater lake on earth!) passing the famous city of Safed and ending on the shores of the Sea of Galilee just north of Kibbutz Ginosar.
The hike is a total of approx. 90km starting at sea level, climbing to 1,200 meters, and then descending to -210 meters.
Whilst you can do the hike all-year-round, the nicest times are spring and fall – temperatures in the summer can be incredibly high. If taking this trail during the hot season, close attention must be made to the temperature and advice should be taken from the Park Rangers.
