Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) round trail

Start/accommodation point: Pilgerhaus Tabgha

Day 1: Tabgha (circular). Today´s trail is relatively short and easy, starting and ending at Pilgerhaus. It is devoted to a leisurely walk along the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee visiting the many churches on the way. You can be completely flexible and choose to wander. Around every corner history lives and you are free to explore and stroll around. This is an opportunity to take your time and absorb the unique tranquility of the area. You may choose to go back to the guest house at any time. The trail starts climbing the Mount of Beatitudes and continues to Job´s spring, on to Capernaum and back to the guest house via the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. 14 km, approximately 5 hours.

Day 2: Bethsaida to Kinar. A car shuttle takes you to the starting point at Bethsaida. After visiting the archaeological site located close to the Jordan River you continue to the point where the Jordan flows into the Sea of Galilee. From there the trail traverses the Bethsaida Valley, a lagoon formed by a junction of several rivers descending gradually from the Golan Heights in the east. If the area is flooded then walking, during certain seasons of the year, may be through shallow water. The finishing point of the trail is at the edge of the valley in Kinar Hotel. 12 km, 4-5 hours.

Day 3: Kibbutz Kinneret to Tiberias. A 20 minute car ride takes you to Yardenit - the baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River. It is possible to start the trail about 1.5 km east in the Zemach shopping center where you can drink your morning cup of coffee or equip yourselves for the hike. Today´s trail is challenging and starts on the shores of the Sea of Galilee; it almost immediately begins to climb to the basalt hills of Poriah and towards the town of Tiberias. The trail meanders through a forest of trees at a height ensuring a beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights opposite. Further on the trail passes through the streets of Upper Tiberias and soon after follows one of the streams back down to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and to YMCA Peniel Guest House at the northern exit of Tiberias. The place has a secluded shoreline and is amazingly beautiful and tranquil so that at the end of a grueling day it is highly recommended to take a refreshing dip in the Sea of Galilee. 18 km, 7 hours (from Yardenit). 19.5 km, 7-8 hours.

Day 4: YMCA to Karei Deshe. The path starts going down from the Guest House to the quiet beach where you swam the day before and maybe you fancy another early morning swim before breakfast (highly recommended). Today´s trail is a short stroll so you should take your time and enjoy the Kinneret and its beaches. Right at the beginning the trail goes through shallow water of the lake and continues through a tangle of trees and bushes along the water line. It then passes through the village Migdal (Magdala) and Kibbutz Ginosar. It is recommended to visit the Museum of Yigal Alon (Israel´s former Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 70´s) and see, inter alia, the boat called "the Jesus Boat". The trail ends in the Karei Deshe Guest House. 8 km, approximately 4 hours.