Israel Trail 17th Segment: Into the Carmel Mountain Forest
Sunday, May 28th: Join Hiking the Holyland and expert guide, Ben Zaltzman, for the 17th segment of the Israel Trail, which takes us into the Carmel Mountain region!
We’ll start our 16 kilometer hike with a hot cup of coffee. Then, we’ll set out on the trail back into the Tivon Oak Forest, which was set aside as a reserve for the natural oak forests of the Galilee. Once we get to Kfar Hasidim, we’ll be back in the open, walking on a paved road to reach Yagur and the Carmel Mountains. From Yagur, will ascend with the Snake Stream through the shady Carmel Mountain Forest, towards the end point at the David Eisen lookout where we’ll celebrate the completion of the 17th segment with wine and snacks!
Minibus transportation available from Savidor Station (price determined based on # of participants, 110-140 NIS). This is a challenging hike for fit hikers only.  This is a popular hike, so please reserve your spot early!
Prices do not include VAT.
Advanced Registration Required
If you have any difficulty booking this event, please open a WhatsApp chat with us here, or email us at hello@hikingintheholyland.com and we will try to respond as quickly as possible.
Organizer
Susannah Schild
Website
https://hikingintheholyland.com/about/Hiking Guides
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Ben ZaltzmanMy name is Ben Zaltzman, I’m a tour guide and a hiker in Israel who leads people on trails around the country.Â
I fell in love with nature at a young age.
While exploring the wide open spaces of nature, I came to know that it was the place where I belong.
A question I ask during our journeys is, “What happens to me in nature?”
I found secret hiking trails, discovered magical corners in the country, and have been guiding others through my experiences.
The trips I lead are about nature connection, the power of being in nature, and the changing environment.
I’m an expert at long-distance hikes. I hiked for 6 month along the Pacific Crest Trail in the US, and have gone on lots of other journeys in Israel and abroad.
Education:
Tour guiding course of the ministry of tourism, birdwatching course (Israeli SPN), educational tours (ministry of education), Storytelling, hunter-gatherers life skills, group dynamics leader, tour educator (on Birthright), Nature cure & connection journey.
I’m not sure if I’m considered a fit hiker. I think I am, but I’m not sure. Can you help me evaluate myself? Here are some things I did recently:
1. I spent a few days in Venice, walking literally the entire day, every day with no problem
2. I hiked from Haifa University down to Tirat Carmel and all the way to the 4, past the maayan
Am I considered fit?
Thanks!
I know that the best way to be fit for hiking is by walking–conveniently close to home to be able to do it 3 or 4 times a week. I live in the south end of Jerusalem–Baka. No car. I am looking for a relatively pleasant place to walk, near home, without having to take a long bus ride to get to it. The only nearby places I have found to walk for such fitness are on PAVED SIDEWALKS ALONGSIDE CITY STREETS. This becomes unpleasant. ?Have any ideas of places to walk on REAL DIRT/EARTH–not on pavement near Baka/Talpiot/Arnona? Fitness activity needs to be accessible and NOT unpleasant.
Tuvia Lavit
Woods and Wooded Mountains. Sounds like an ideal hike. How to get to the starting point up north in the Carmel by 8:30 on a Sunday morning, from Jerusalem, via Savidor station in T.A. just doesn’t add up. It would be necessary to arise in the middle of the night in order to be there by 8:30. Can you arrange a similar hike at hours that can work for Jerusalemites. Arising in the middle of the night in order to avoid the heat of the day is not a good answer–be too tired from inadequate sleep to be able to enjoy the hike. Why not start at 11:00 AM. The heat of the day might not be so much of a problem on a hike in the shade of the foliage of the woods.
(Gary) Tuvia Lavit, Jerusalem
experienced backpacker in woods and White Mountains of New Hampshire