Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

Jesus Trail – Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

A 65 km (40 miles) marked trail, from Nazareth to Capernaum

Jesus spent the bulk of his life and ministry in the Galilee region, walking between the picturesque towns and villages mentioned in the Gospels.

As you follow The Jesus Trail, you will encounter a mosaic of sights and cultures (Christian Arabs, Muslim Arabs, Druze and Jews), all living together in one authentic, ethnic Galilean paradise.

Enjoy a 3-4 day leisurely adventure hike in the rugged and beautiful Galilee landscape. A Holy Land experience that will leave you with blessed memories for years to come.

Let your boots be your transport and the Bible be your guide…

In advance of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Israel in May, the Ministry of Tourism started placing signage along the 65 km "Jesus Trail." This enchanting route winds its way from Nazareth through Sepphoris, Cana, the Arbel Cliffs, Tabgha, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River.

The Jesus Trail offers Christian tourists and pilgrims the opportunity to tread the very earth that Jesus and his disciples walked on, breathe in the natural and spiritual beauty of where it all happened and connect spiritually to the calm and serenity of the Galilean landscape.

With no rushing from place to place or being herded onto buses, you can leisurely hike the Jesus Trail over three or four days. You have an engaging variety of overnight options – from hotels to overnight camping, and there are many places to buy water and food along the way. Public buses are available at most starting and end-points.

Among the many highlights along the trail:

- Explore the markets and alleys of Nazareth, Jesus' childhood home.

- Pray in the Basilica of the Annunciation and discover how the Synagogue Church got its name.

- Experience Cana, site of the wedding feast where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine.

- Visit Tabgha, with its breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee, the traditional site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes.

- Capture the calm of Capernaum, Jesus’ home base during his ministry in the Galilee.

- Climb the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

- Bathe at the Yardenit baptismal site along the Jordan River, where John baptized Jesus.

And lots more along the way… Byzantine mosaics, a Crusader battle, 1st Century cliff dwellers, tranquil gardens, a 13th Century Muslim fortress, natural hot springs…

Depending on the time of year, you can also see bright red anemones and yellow daisies – "lilies of the field," (Lk. 12:27), wild oats, thistles and a beautifully cultivated field, recalling the "Parable of the Sower," (Matt. 13:3-9), and enjoy the view from Sepphoris, the "city on a hill" (Matt. 5:14).

Free Walks

Day-long walks leave Monday-Saturday at 08:00 from the Church of the Annunciation. The hike includes a visit to Zippori National Park with its Roman ruins, Crusader fortress and Byzantine mosaics, Cana, the fourth century Arbel Synagogue, the site of the Sermon on the Mount and Capernaum, the former fishing village that was once the center of Jesus' life and ministry.