Jesus Trail

The Jesus Trail is a 65-km hiking and pilgrimage route in the Galilee region of Israel, connecting many sites associated with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The trail begins in Nazareth, and passes through Sepphoris, Cana, the Horns of Hattin, the Arbel Cliffs, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Jordan River and Mount Tabor.

The Jesus Trail was founded by two young hikers, Maoz Inon and David Landis in 2007, and the trail was marked in 2009. It is managed and promoted largely by the volunteers, and is a non-profit project.

The trail is well marked with white-orange-white blazes, but walkers should still carry a map or GPS track. Sturdy walking shoes, sun protection and a charged phone are recommended. Check accommodation and transport in advance, especially around holidays and Shabbat.

Carry snacks or a packed lunch, as food is not available on every stage. Shops and restaurants are easiest to find in Nazareth, Cana and Tiberias.

Carry plenty of water, especially in warm weather. Do not rely on finding drinking water between villages.

Accommodation is limited along parts of the route, so book ahead. Common overnight stops include Cana, Lavi, Moshav Arbel and the Sea of Galilee area.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking. Summer can be very hot and exposed, while winter may bring rain and muddy trails.

The Jesus Trail starts in Nazareth, in northern Israel. The nearest major international airport is Ben Gurion Airport (TLV ^IATA), with onward buses, trains and shared transport via Tel Aviv, Haifa or other northern hubs. Haifa Airport (HFA ^IATA) is closer but has very limited service. The official route ends at Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee, where onward transport is available via nearby towns such as 32.78972235.5247221 Tiberias. Check current schedules with a local transport app such as Moovit, especially around holidays and Shabbat.

Map of Jesus Trail

Nazareth - Cana

 14 km 5 hr

The trail begins in 32.70194435.3033332 Nazareth, traditionally associated with Joseph, Mary and the childhood of Jesus. Most walkers start near the 32.7021435.297691 Basilica of the Annunciation , one of the city’s main pilgrimage sites, where Christian tradition says the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. From here, the route winds through the lanes of the Old City before climbing toward the 32.706935.29472 Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent (The Salesian Church) , which overlooks Nazareth.

The 32.704435.29731 Jesus Trail then leaves the city and enters a more rural landscape of hills, olive groves and open countryside. The trail is blazed with white/orange/white painted stripes, though a map or GPS track is still useful. The route continues toward 32.75305635.2791673MISSING WIKILINK Zippori National Park (Sepphoris) and 32.746535.27793 Zippori (Tzippori) , then passes 32.73833335.3244444 Mashhad (Mash'had) before reaching 32.7476335.3389525 Cana (Kafr Kanna) , traditionally associated with the wedding at Cana.

Cana - Lavi

 14 km 4 hr

From Cana, the trail leaves the busier town streets and heads into a quieter landscape of fields, tracks and low wooded hills. This is generally one of the shorter stages, but it can feel exposed in warm weather and there are fewer services once away from the villages.

The day ends near 32.78805635.4419446 Lavi , a kibbutz close to the main road west of the Sea of Galilee. Many walkers use this stage as a gentler day between the more historic first section and the longer, more open walking that follows.

Lavi - Moshav Arbel

 18 km 6 hr

The third stage crosses more open Galilean countryside and passes close to 32.805135.45094 Nabi Shuaib, also known as Nebi Shu’eib, a Druze holy shrine. The route also passes near the 32.79972235.4597225 Horns of Hattin , twin peaks of an extinct volcano. Besides the Mount of Beatitudes, the Horns of Hattin are considered by a few traditions to be a possible site of the Sermon on the Mount.

After the Horns of Hattin, the route continues east through farmland and rougher tracks toward the Arbel area. The day finishes at 32.81222235.48257 Moshav Arbel , a small village near ruins thought to be the ancient site of 32.81222235.48258 Arbel .

Moshav Arbel - Capernaum

 19 km 7 hr

The final stage is one of the most scenic parts of the Jesus Trail. It climbs toward 32.82435.5076 Mount Arbel , where the cliffs offer broad views over the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding hills. Nearby 32.82561735.4866787 Mount Nitai is another landmark in the Arbel cliffs area. The descent brings the route down toward 32.83907835.4992949 Migdal and the lower, warmer landscape around the lakeshore.

From there, the trail follows or approaches a string of important Christian pilgrimage sites around the Sea of Galilee region. These include 32.87365835.5489751 Tabgah , 32.8805635.575378 St. Peter's Church and the 32.88078335.5558199 Mount of Beatitudes , traditionally associated with the Sermon on the Mount. The main route ends at 32.88111135.57510 Capernaum , an archaeological site and lakeside village strongly associated with the ministry of Jesus.

Carry plenty of water, sun protection and a charged phone, especially in summer. Some sections are rural and exposed, so avoid walking in extreme heat and start early. In an emergency, call police ☏ 100, ambulance ☏ 101 or fire services ☏ 102.

Most hikers finish at Capernaum and continue to Tiberias for transport, accommodation and services. Nearby options include the Sea of Galilee, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes and Yardenit.

The Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee and continues south toward the Dead Sea. Travellers with extra time can also make side trips to Mount Tabor, traditionally associated with the Transfiguration of Christ, or Mount Precipice, near Nazareth. These are not part of the main Jesus Trail but can be combined with the walk by travellers returning through the wider Galilee region.