Complete Golan Trail Hiking Tour

Complete Golan Trail Hiking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Majdal Shams

Welcome to Majdal! This starting point already has you at 1400m (4600 ft) above sea level and is the highest town in Israel.

Overnight Location: Hostel in Majdal
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Mount Hermon

Your Golan Trail hike begins today with a few different hiking options for you to choose from.

Option 1: 19 km route
This morning a short transfer will take you to the trailhead at Mount Hermon. This option will have you hiking a total of 19 km today. With the summit of Mount Hermon towering 2224m (7296 ft) above you, a 4 km walk will launch you right into this adventure with a descent of 600m. From there you’ll make your way to the tiny settlement of Nimrod located on Mount Kata.

From Nimrod you’ll hike to the small Druze village of Mas’ade, where you’ll enjoy views of Lake Ram, a small lake in the crater of an extinct volcanic mountain. This segment of the journey ends at the Tel Katza’ah mound, another inactive volcano.

Continuing to the last segment of today, you’ll hike 10 km to the fairytale-like Odem Forest. This Mediterranean grove is a sight to behold, with Mount Odem (a dormant volcano) as the backdrop, you’ll hike among towering oak trees and observe a beautiful scoria rock quarry.

Today’s hike ends back in Odem where you’ll have a chance to relax and unwind with a full first day of hiking under your belt.

Option 2: 11 km route
This option allows you to shorten your total distance covered for the day to 11 km, taking a short transfer (included) and instead beginning your hike at Nimrod.

Option 3: 8 km route
This option allows you to shorten your total distance covered for the day to 8 km, taking a slightly longer transfer and instead beginning your hike at Mas’ade, hiking a total of 8 km today.
Overnight Location: Hostel in Odem
Distance: Option 1: 19 km, 6-8 hours, 600m of descent
Option 2: 11 km, 4-5 hours
Option 3: 8 km, 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Mountains, Battlefields, and Kibbutz

There are two hiking options today.

Option 1: 17 km hike
From Odem to Merom Golan, today’s extensive hike is full of intrigue and discovery. Encounter traces of Israeli military history at the Yom Kippur War (1917) battleground site known as the Valley of Tears. Brace yourself for spectacular views as you encounter the extinct volcano of Mount Bental, with an altitude of 1166m (3825 ft), it’s known for providing some of the best viewpoints on the Golan Trail.

You’ll end today’s hike by reaching your accommodation in Merom Golan—a kibuttz that that sits at the bottom of the volcanic crater created by Mount Bental.

Option 2: 12 km hike

This option allows you to shorten your total distance covered for the day to 12 km, taking a transfer(not included) and instead beginning your hike at El Rom.
Overnight Location: Hotel Merom Golan
Distance: Option 1: 17 km, 5-6 hrs
Option 2: 12 km, 4-5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Vineyards and Forest Trails

There are two hiking options today.

Option 1: 20 km hike

Today you’ll have the opportunity to hike Mount Bental on this exciting segment of the trail. From the summit, you’ll take in panoramic views spanning the plains of Golan in both Israel and Syria and will also have an excellent view of Mount Hermon from this viewpoint.

Continuing the trail, you’ll uncover a memorial site commemorating an Israeli-Syrian battle, a wind turbine farm and a stunning Mediterranean forest on the Bashanit Ridge where Mount Hozek stands. Today you’ll journey the easternmost marked trail in Israel.

The trail continues through the vineyards of El-Rom, where the scenery is breathtaking. Today’s journey will end at Alonei Habashan, where you’ll reach tonight’s accommodation. Enjoy a local meal and relax after a big day of exploration.

Option 2: 12 km hike

This option allows you to shorten your total distance covered for the day to 12 km, taking a transfer (not included) and instead beginning your hike at Ein Zivan Campsite.
Overnight Location: Guest Village in Alonei Habashan
Distance: Option 1: 20 km, 6-7 hrs
Option 2: 12 km, 4-5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Mount Hozek

Today you’ll cover 15 km of the Golan Trail. You’ll get a feel for how ancient this region truly is as you explore a 1500-year-old quaint village perched on a hill overlooking a picturesque reservoir.

You’ll once again encounter Mount Hozek and have the opportunity to hike the beautiful ridge just below. Today’s hike will end at a grove near the abandoned village ruins of Hushniya.

The final stretch of trail today will take you to Keshet where you’ll spend the night at a comfortable lodge. Rest well knowing you’re past the halfway point of the Golan Trail!
Overnight Location: Lodge in Keshet
Distance: 15 km, 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Ruins and the Gamla Natural Reserve

Today you tackle another 15 km of trail beginning in Keshet, where intriguing ruins are the only traces of the 2000 Cherkess people that once lived here—look out for the remains of a guest house that dates back to the 8th century!

As you embark on one of the most scenic segments of the trail, you’ll encounter cattle fields, pastures and springs as far as the eye can see. Soon you'll reach the highlight of the day - Rujm el-Hiri archeological site.

The end of today’s trail is only 3 km from the Gamla Natural Reserve. If you opt for this add on, you’ll have the chance to see Israel’s tallest waterfall and beautiful ancient village.

Today’s hike ends at Daliot Junction where a transfer will take you back to your accommodation in Keshet.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Keshet
Distance: 16 km, 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Ancient Synagogue at Ein Keshatot

There are two hiking options today.

Option 1: 24 km hike

A short transfer will take you from your accommodation to the trailhead at Daliot Junction. Today is the longest stretch of trail and will have you hiking a rewarding 24 km.

Beginning at the Daliot campsite, you’ll continue the trail amidst the cattle fields and pastures, eventually reaching the ancient synagogue of Ein Keshatot, which dates back to the Mishnah and Talmud period. First documented in 1884, this archeological gem is a sight to behold.

Your final stretch of trail today will lead you to Bnei Yehuda, where you’ll arrive at tonight’s accommodation.

Option 2: 14 km hike

This option allows you to shorten your total distance covered for the day to 14 km, taking a longer transfer (not included) and instead beginning your hike at Ein Keshatot.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bnei Yehuda
Distance: Option 1: 24 km, 5-6 hours
Option 2: 14 km, 4-5 hours
Meals: None

Day 8 Wadi Meitzar and the Sea of Galilee

There are two hiking options today.

Option 1: 21.5 km hike
Your final day of hiking on the Golan Trail has plenty of excitement in store! Departing from your accommodation in Bnei Yehuda, you’ll hike through small villages alongside rushing streams, soaking up the Golan Heights landscape that you’ve come to know so well over the past week.

Be sure to stop for a few moments along the banks of Wadi Meitzar—the only stream in Golan running from West to East.

For the grand finale on the trail, you’ll walk along a cliff where unparalleled views of the stunning blue waters of the Sea of Galilee await you. The trail ends at a large campground with the water tunnels of Ein Taufik—a perfect place to take a moment to reflect on this epic journey, as you have now completed the Golan Trail.

From the campsite, a transfer will take you back to your accommodation in Bnei Yehuda.

Option 2: 15 km hike

This option allows you to finish your hike at Mevo Hama, where a transfer will take you back to your accommodation in Bnei Yehuda.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: Option 1: 21.5 km, 5-6 hours
Option 2: 15 km, 4-5 hours
Meals: None