A hike from Mediterranean to the Sea of Galilee (lake Kinneret)

This time I will share with you a nice trip that one can do in northern Israel - a hike from Achziv beach north to Nahariya on the Mediterranean sea to Hukok beach on the sea of Galilee.
In Israel it's a pretty well known hike, and many are doing it especially during the holidays. I think that the best time to do it is during not too rainy days in winter (the Amud river part of the hike can be dangerous during the rain) or in spring. But if you are planing to do it like most Israelis - somewhere around September - October (Jewish new year or Sukkot holidays)  you can enjoy from a dip in the Mediterranean sea at the beginning of the trip and from a swim or a relaxation in the Kinneret in the end. Another nice thing about this trip is that both start and end point are accessible by public transport.

Achziv beach - the starting point

The trail start at the sea level, the highest point is Mount Meron (1200m above the sea level) and ends about 200m below the sea level on Kinneret's coast. I did it couple of times, one time with a friend in three days, and another time solo in just a bit more than one day (spending most of the second day on Kinneret's beach).

After leaving the Achziv beach and crossing the Banana's plantations - you will enter the Kziv river natural reserve. If you are lucky the stream will be full with water - it depends how rainy was the year. If possible visit the Monfort Castle that is located just inside the reserve.

Kziv reserve

Kziv reserve

View from Monfort

 

Monfort Castle

  After passing the Kziv reserve, you will have to climb a bit towards a place called Abirim, where you might want to stop for a night if you are in no hurry and plan a three days trip, or go on to Alkosh reserve.
The Alkosh reserve is trail is a nice part that that connects you to the Israel National Trail near Mount Meron, and which will take you right to Kinneret. By the way - the whole 1000 km of Israel National Trail are available on google street view.

Alkosh stream

Mount meron is one of the most beautiful natural reserves in Israel, especially in the spring. It is also the highest point of the hike - and you can stay either in the beginning of the Mount Meron trail - near the Mount Meron field school, or in the end of trail, just before Amud stream trail.

View from Mount Meron

Meron reserve

The last part of the hike is Amud stream (nahal amud), and I think that first part of Nahal Amud hike is one of the most scenic in northern Israel. It goes down from Mount Meron down all the way almost to the shore of Kinneret. I was lucky and we had some light rain just before we arrived to the Nahal Amud part so this part was cool and nature was at its best.

Salamandra

In the amud stream hike

The second part of Nahal Amud goes on a canyon between cliffs, and I think a bit less refreshing and wet as the first part, but if you are lucky you can see a rock hyrax and a lot of storks.

Rock hyrax

Stork on almost every cliff, Amud Stream

Amud Stream

Finally, you leave the Israel National Trail near Hukok, and continue toward the beach, or keep going in the trail to Arbel Cliff. If you have the time - you can camp on the beach, or just catch a bus home.

Kinneret beach