Jesus Trail
שביל ישו
A 65-kilometer hiking trail in the Galilee region that traces the route Jesus is believed to have walked from Nazareth to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. The trail passes through rolling hills, ancient villages, olive groves, and significant archaeological sites. It connects the major Christian holy sites of the Galilee and offers a unique blend of spiritual pilgrimage and outdoor adventure.
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Zeromancer44 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Distance
65 km
Duration
4 days
Elevation Gain
1,500m
Highest Point
548m
Lowest Point
-209m
Type
Thru Hike
Best Season
October to April
Trail Marks
orange
Getting There
Parking
Nazareth Municipal Parking, Paul VI St
Trailhead
Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth
P = Parking T = Trailhead | View full Israel trail map
Trail Highlights
- Begin at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth
- Walk through Cana (Kafr Kanna) — site of the first miracle
- Pass the Horns of Hattin — Crusader battlefield
- Descend to the Sea of Galilee
- End at Capernaum — Jesus's base of ministry
Nazareth to Cana: Walking in Ancient Footsteps
The Jesus Trail begins at the Basilica of the Annunciation in the heart of Nazareth, the largest church in the Middle East, built over the grotto where tradition holds the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Leaving the city, hikers climb through olive groves and pass Zippori (Sepphoris) — a major Roman city just 6 km from Nazareth where Jesus likely worked as a carpenter. The trail reaches Kafr Kanna, identified as the biblical Cana where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1-11). Two churches in the village mark the traditional site.
Horns of Hattin: Where Empires Clashed
The trail crosses the twin volcanic peaks known as the Horns of Hattin, the site of the pivotal 1187 battle where Saladin defeated the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem — a turning point that led to the fall of Jerusalem and the launch of the Third Crusade. From the summit, the panoramic view encompasses the entire Sea of Galilee, Mount Hermon, Mount Tabor (site of the Transfiguration), and the hills of the Golan Heights. It is one of the most historically layered viewpoints in the entire country.
Descent to the Sea of Galilee
The final descent brings hikers from the Galilean highlands down the dramatic cliffs of Mount Arbel — a 380-meter drop to the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The trail then follows the ancient lakeside road past Magdala (home of Mary Magdalene), Tabgha (site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes), the Mount of Beatitudes, and ends at Capernaum — the fishing village where Jesus established his base of ministry. Walking this final stretch, the landscape looks remarkably similar to what first-century travelers would have seen.
Practical Information
Water
Good — towns along the route
Permits
None required
Best Season
October to April
Trail Marks
orange
In the Torah
What Does the Torah Say About This Place?
Biblical references near Jesus Trail
Deborah sends Barak to gather ten thousand men at Mount Tabor
וַתִּשְׁלַ֗ח וַתִּקְרָא֙ לְבָרָ֣ק בֶּן־אֲבִינֹ֔עַם מִקֶּ֖דֶשׁ נַפְתָּלִ֑י וַתֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו הֲלֹ֥א צִוָּ֣ה ׀ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵ֤ךְ וּמָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙ בְּהַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ עִמְּךָ֗ עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ מִבְּנֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִ֖י וּמִבְּנֵ֥י זְבֻלֽוּן׃
She summoned Barak son of Abinoam, of Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “The ETERNAL, the God of Israel, has commanded: Go, march up to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun.
Barak goes down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men
וַתֹּ֩אמֶר֩ דְּבֹרָ֨ה אֶל־בָּרָ֜ק ק֗וּם כִּ֣י זֶ֤ה הַיּוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֨ן יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־סִֽיסְרָא֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ הֲלֹ֥א יְהֹוָ֖ה יָצָ֣א לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וַיֵּ֤רֶד בָּרָק֙ מֵהַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר וַעֲשֶׂ֧רֶת אֲלָפִ֛ים אִ֖ישׁ אַחֲרָֽיו׃
Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! This is the day on which GOD will deliver Sisera into your hands: GOD is marching before you.” Barak charged down Mount Tabor, followed by the ten thousand men,
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name
צָפ֣וֹן וְ֭יָמִין אַתָּ֣ה בְרָאתָ֑ם תָּב֥וֹר וְ֝חֶרְמ֗וֹן בְּשִׁמְךָ֥ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃
North and south—You created them;Tabor and Hermon sing forth Your name.
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