Hail to the Trails
The most popular sport in Israel today is Mountain Biking, thanks to the growing network of maintained and signposted trails in Israel. Our program combines the best trails in Israel, combining them with the landmark that make Israel such a fascinating place. We are happy to offer this program to groups of 4 or more- contact us for further information.
Day 1- Arrival
Pick up from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and transfer to the Galilee. We will devote the afternoon to meet, fit bikes and talk about the upcoming program.
Overnight- Galilee Kibbutz Hotel
Pick up from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and transfer to the Galilee. We will devote the afternoon to meet, fit bikes and talk about the upcoming program.
Overnight- Galilee Kibbutz Hotel
Day 2: Manara Cliff & The Hula Valley
After an early breakfast we will board the van and drive to the Manara Cliff in the Finger of the Galil; here we will rise to the challenge of this foreboding cliff face enjoying not just challenging riding but also the views as we approach the top and ride in the region of the Lebanese border. Hilary at the meantime will visit Hula park and then be picked up by the driver at a time they will agree. Our next stop will be Hurshat Tal where we will enjoy something to eat and a dip in the cool natural waters, before we continue to the Hula Valley. We will bike around the Hula Lake where we will be privy to some of the most unusual wildlife in Israel, and hopefully see some of the millions of birds that use this spot as a watering hole on their long migration from Europe to Africa for the winter. Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz Hotel
After an early breakfast we will board the van and drive to the Manara Cliff in the Finger of the Galil; here we will rise to the challenge of this foreboding cliff face enjoying not just challenging riding but also the views as we approach the top and ride in the region of the Lebanese border. Hilary at the meantime will visit Hula park and then be picked up by the driver at a time they will agree. Our next stop will be Hurshat Tal where we will enjoy something to eat and a dip in the cool natural waters, before we continue to the Hula Valley. We will bike around the Hula Lake where we will be privy to some of the most unusual wildlife in Israel, and hopefully see some of the millions of birds that use this spot as a watering hole on their long migration from Europe to Africa for the winter. Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz Hotel
Day 3: Tzfat and the upper Galilee
The mountains of the Upper Galilee are as famous for their views and terrain as they are for their sites. Our morning will see us biking through the wonderful Birya Forest where we will take advantage of some great riding and some holy sites hidden away amongst the trees. Hillary will be dropped off at Tzfat Old City and will arrive by Taxi to the hotel where we are having lunch We will stop for lunch in a local hotel where we can also use the shower facilities before heading to Tzfat, the birthplace of Kabala and home to modern and ancient Jewish Mysticism. We will spend the afternoon exploring the Old City of Tzfat on foot, negotiating the winding alleyways, visiting the ancient synagogues, and perusing in the artists; colony. We will return to the hotel for the evening where we will enjoy dinner together.
Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz Hotel
The mountains of the Upper Galilee are as famous for their views and terrain as they are for their sites. Our morning will see us biking through the wonderful Birya Forest where we will take advantage of some great riding and some holy sites hidden away amongst the trees. Hillary will be dropped off at Tzfat Old City and will arrive by Taxi to the hotel where we are having lunch We will stop for lunch in a local hotel where we can also use the shower facilities before heading to Tzfat, the birthplace of Kabala and home to modern and ancient Jewish Mysticism. We will spend the afternoon exploring the Old City of Tzfat on foot, negotiating the winding alleyways, visiting the ancient synagogues, and perusing in the artists; colony. We will return to the hotel for the evening where we will enjoy dinner together.
Overnight: Galilee Kibbutz Hotel
Day 4: The Jesus Trail & Beit Keshet Single Track
Check out of hotel We will begin our day with a visit to the Old City of Nazareth and see the colorful market and world famous Church of the Annunciation. It is here where the village of Mary and Joseph stood, and aside from the impressive church we can also see interesting evidence of the Jewish town that stood here at that time. From here we will head towards the Beit Keshset Forest following a trail that will show us breathtaking views of Mount Tabor and the Jezreel Valley. Hillary will drive with van through the forest road- time permitting she will be taken to Mt Tavor. We will stop to enjoy lunch in a local winery, before taking a short tour of a nearby Circassian village. We will end the day on the banks of the Jordon River before continuing to t where we will be spending the night.
Overnight: Southern Sea of Galilee
Check out of hotel We will begin our day with a visit to the Old City of Nazareth and see the colorful market and world famous Church of the Annunciation. It is here where the village of Mary and Joseph stood, and aside from the impressive church we can also see interesting evidence of the Jewish town that stood here at that time. From here we will head towards the Beit Keshset Forest following a trail that will show us breathtaking views of Mount Tabor and the Jezreel Valley. Hillary will drive with van through the forest road- time permitting she will be taken to Mt Tavor. We will stop to enjoy lunch in a local winery, before taking a short tour of a nearby Circassian village. We will end the day on the banks of the Jordon River before continuing to t where we will be spending the night.
Overnight: Southern Sea of Galilee
Day 5: Mt Gilboa and the Sachne Springs
Check out of hotel We will leave Degania Bet and transfer to Mt Gilboa, where according to the Bible King Saul died. We will follow a great single track trail down the slope of Mt Gilboa towards the Valley of Springs in the Beit Shean Valley Hillary will be drroped off at the Beit Shean Ruins to tour on her own and be picked up before lunch . Once we reach the valley we will ride along the water to Gan HaShlosha National Park, also called The Sachne. We will enjoy a picnic lunch and a swim in this unique oasis, with crystal clear water and lush vegetation. From here we will board the van and stop for a short visit in Beit Shean, a Roman-Byzantine City frozen in time. From here we will drive through the Jordan River Valley and arrive in the evening to Jerusalem. We will check into the hotel, and after dinner enjoy a night out downtown.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Check out of hotel We will leave Degania Bet and transfer to Mt Gilboa, where according to the Bible King Saul died. We will follow a great single track trail down the slope of Mt Gilboa towards the Valley of Springs in the Beit Shean Valley Hillary will be drroped off at the Beit Shean Ruins to tour on her own and be picked up before lunch . Once we reach the valley we will ride along the water to Gan HaShlosha National Park, also called The Sachne. We will enjoy a picnic lunch and a swim in this unique oasis, with crystal clear water and lush vegetation. From here we will board the van and stop for a short visit in Beit Shean, a Roman-Byzantine City frozen in time. From here we will drive through the Jordan River Valley and arrive in the evening to Jerusalem. We will check into the hotel, and after dinner enjoy a night out downtown.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 6: Jerusalem
We will head out of the hotel, on a 3 hour ride through the back streets and side paths that make this city as fun to ride in as it is. Our trademark tour will take us through the different neighborhoods of the city with short stops to hear about the people and events that passed through here in years gone by. We will end our ride at the Old City gates Meet Hillary at the Jaffa gate and proceed on foot on a walking tour of the Old City. It is towards this city that generations of Jews, Christians and Muslims had turned their eyes. We will visit the Western Wall, see the Temple Mount from a distance, and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After visiting the highlights, we will continue independently. You may choose to adventure through the Old City Shuk, travel to Bethlehem or visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial or The Israel Museum. Your guide will be happy to advise you about different options. We will meet again at the hotel for dinner, and then head out for a night ride through the deserted alleyways of the Old City, taking advantage of the quiet streets that were so busy in the daytime but now are completely peaceful; a breathtaking experience!
Overnight: Jerusalem
We will head out of the hotel, on a 3 hour ride through the back streets and side paths that make this city as fun to ride in as it is. Our trademark tour will take us through the different neighborhoods of the city with short stops to hear about the people and events that passed through here in years gone by. We will end our ride at the Old City gates Meet Hillary at the Jaffa gate and proceed on foot on a walking tour of the Old City. It is towards this city that generations of Jews, Christians and Muslims had turned their eyes. We will visit the Western Wall, see the Temple Mount from a distance, and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After visiting the highlights, we will continue independently. You may choose to adventure through the Old City Shuk, travel to Bethlehem or visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial or The Israel Museum. Your guide will be happy to advise you about different options. We will meet again at the hotel for dinner, and then head out for a night ride through the deserted alleyways of the Old City, taking advantage of the quiet streets that were so busy in the daytime but now are completely peaceful; a breathtaking experience!
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 7: Judean Hills
After breakfast we will head out of the city towards the Judean Hills. Our ride will follow the Adullam trail taking us past various ancient ruins and stunning scenery. We will also have an opportunity to see some of the caves used at the time of the Bar Kochva Revolt. After lunch we will continue to Beit Guvrin National Park, where we will see a labyrinth of man-made caves, the only remains of an extensive city, hidden underground. For those interested, there will be a guided tour of the site, or an optional extension of the ride to single tracks of the Judean hills following a section of the Israel Bike Trail. At the end of the ride we will return to Jerusalem for the night and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem
After breakfast we will head out of the city towards the Judean Hills. Our ride will follow the Adullam trail taking us past various ancient ruins and stunning scenery. We will also have an opportunity to see some of the caves used at the time of the Bar Kochva Revolt. After lunch we will continue to Beit Guvrin National Park, where we will see a labyrinth of man-made caves, the only remains of an extensive city, hidden underground. For those interested, there will be a guided tour of the site, or an optional extension of the ride to single tracks of the Judean hills following a section of the Israel Bike Trail. At the end of the ride we will return to Jerusalem for the night and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 8: The Sugar Route, Dead Sea & Masada
Check out of hotel Hillary will wait with the driver at the end of the trail and then join for the rest of the day We will leave Jerusalem following a trail used by camel caravans for centuries to bring sugar and dates from Jericho to Jerusalem. The Sugar trail has been rated as one of the best single track trails in the Middle East, and it will take us through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea. From here we will continue to lunch by the Dead Sea and have time to enjoy a swim, or rather a float, in the super buoyant water. We will continue to visit Masada, a mountain top fortress built by King Herod that was the last stronghold of the Jews against the Roman Empire nearly 2,000 year ago. We will hear the famous story of the place and tour the impressive ruins and then board the bus to continue south to the Negev Desert, where we will ride for the next few days.
Overnight: Sde Boker
Check out of hotel Hillary will wait with the driver at the end of the trail and then join for the rest of the day We will leave Jerusalem following a trail used by camel caravans for centuries to bring sugar and dates from Jericho to Jerusalem. The Sugar trail has been rated as one of the best single track trails in the Middle East, and it will take us through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea. From here we will continue to lunch by the Dead Sea and have time to enjoy a swim, or rather a float, in the super buoyant water. We will continue to visit Masada, a mountain top fortress built by King Herod that was the last stronghold of the Jews against the Roman Empire nearly 2,000 year ago. We will hear the famous story of the place and tour the impressive ruins and then board the bus to continue south to the Negev Desert, where we will ride for the next few days.
Overnight: Sde Boker
Day 9: The Israel Bike Trail and Ramon Crater
We will be spending the day in the region of the Ramon Crater, and unusual geological form, unique to the Negev Desert. Hillary will be dropped off at the Mitzpe Ramon visitors center and will be picked up at the end of the ride or return independently to Sde Boker. We will continue to the Machmal Ascent which makes up part of the ancient spice route, and then on to the Noah where we will follow the Israel Bike Trail into the Ramon Crater itself. This is a breathtaking day of desert riding, which will be finished off with a ride back to Sde Boker for dinner. It is highly recommended to do some star gazing after dinner, as the night sky in the desert is a phenomenal sight.
Overnight: Sde Boker
We will be spending the day in the region of the Ramon Crater, and unusual geological form, unique to the Negev Desert. Hillary will be dropped off at the Mitzpe Ramon visitors center and will be picked up at the end of the ride or return independently to Sde Boker. We will continue to the Machmal Ascent which makes up part of the ancient spice route, and then on to the Noah where we will follow the Israel Bike Trail into the Ramon Crater itself. This is a breathtaking day of desert riding, which will be finished off with a ride back to Sde Boker for dinner. It is highly recommended to do some star gazing after dinner, as the night sky in the desert is a phenomenal sight.
Overnight: Sde Boker
Day 10: Sde Boker
Today we are devoting our day to the trails of the Sde Boker region. You will be led by local cyclists that took part in building these trails that will take you into the most beautiful parts of the Negev Desert. You will stop for a light lunch in the field and return to Sde Boker. There will be a guided tour of Ben Gurion's Home, Israel's first prime minster who left the city and set an example by living in the desert in the early years of the state. For those that prefer to continue riding there will be and additional ride along the trails of the area to enjoy desert shade and some hidden water sources. In the evening you will enjoy dinner at Sde Boker, with some cold beers to mark the end of the ride.
Overnight: Sde Boker
Today we are devoting our day to the trails of the Sde Boker region. You will be led by local cyclists that took part in building these trails that will take you into the most beautiful parts of the Negev Desert. You will stop for a light lunch in the field and return to Sde Boker. There will be a guided tour of Ben Gurion's Home, Israel's first prime minster who left the city and set an example by living in the desert in the early years of the state. For those that prefer to continue riding there will be and additional ride along the trails of the area to enjoy desert shade and some hidden water sources. In the evening you will enjoy dinner at Sde Boker, with some cold beers to mark the end of the ride.
Overnight: Sde Boker
Day 11: Monday Beeri Region and departure
Check out of hotel Hillary will wait at the trail head (coffee available) until the ride is over After breakfast, you will board the van and head north to the Western Negev Region. In the region of Kibbutz Beeri you will ride the trails of one of the most popular bike parks in the country. The trails go through several historic sites and will bring you eventually to a view point over the Gaza Strip and the Mediterranean Sea. If time permits there will be an additional ride to the near by Reim trail. At the end of the ride you will transfer to Beer Sheva train Station for departure to the Airport.
Check out of hotel Hillary will wait at the trail head (coffee available) until the ride is over After breakfast, you will board the van and head north to the Western Negev Region. In the region of Kibbutz Beeri you will ride the trails of one of the most popular bike parks in the country. The trails go through several historic sites and will bring you eventually to a view point over the Gaza Strip and the Mediterranean Sea. If time permits there will be an additional ride to the near by Reim trail. At the end of the ride you will transfer to Beer Sheva train Station for departure to the Airport.