The West Bank, home to rolling, vine-covered hills and lush valleys, as well as the expansive Judean Desert and the eerily serene Dead Sea, make for a huge diversity of nature and wildlife, and a stunning range of hiking routes. Hiking is best done with a guide or experienced local, and spring and autumn-time offer the best walking climates. From half-day hikes to a several weeks of camping, we list something to suit everyone.
* Masar Ibrahim al-KhalilMasar Ibrahim, meaning Abraham’s path, is said to be the route walked by the Prophet Abraham 4,000 years ago, stretching from Erbil in Iraq, through Southern Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Jordan and ending in Mecca. The section of the path that runs through Palestine – from Rummana in the north to the Sanctuary of Abraham in Hebron – is undergoing a regeneration initiative which has made it a popular and accessible walking route for hikers and pilgrims.
* The Nativity TrailFollow in the biblical steps of Mary and Joseph, and make the journey from Nazareth, now a predominantly Christian Arab city in Northern Israel, to Bethlehem, in the southern West Bank. The trail passes through diverse landscapes, from olive-lined mountains in the north, to the vast desert of the south, where the route takes in the ancient city of Jenin and the monumental Mar Saba monastery. Green Olive Tours operates an 11-day guided tour of the trail, which includes tours of cities of Nazareth, Nablus and Jericho. The range of accommodation provided on the tour, consisting of homestays, monasteries, and Bedouin camps, provides the opportunity to get to know and understand the vast range of people who inhabit the West Bank.
* Wadi MakhrourFor those looking for a shorter but equally stunning route, the Makhrour valley near Bethlehem provides the perfect route for a half-day hike. Due to the ancient terraced water system found in the valley, it has been granted UNESCO world heritage status – which to the delight of nature lovers, environmentalists, and those fighting Israeli occupation, means it cannot be touched by settlements or separation walls. The charming village of Battir lies in the midst of ancient olive groves and vineyards, and provides an excellent starting point for a half-day hike to the town of Beit Jala. Visitpalestine.ps runs guided half-day tours, visiting historical and religious sites such as ancient tombs, a natural spring, and the remnants of the old railway connecting Jaffa and Jerusalem.
* The Nativity TrailFollow in the biblical steps of Mary and Joseph, and make the journey from Nazareth, now a predominantly Christian Arab city in Northern Israel, to Bethlehem, in the southern West Bank. The trail passes through diverse landscapes, from olive-lined mountains in the north, to the vast desert of the south, where the route takes in the ancient city of Jenin and the monumental Mar Saba monastery. Green Olive Tours operates an 11-day guided tour of the trail, which includes tours of cities of Nazareth, Nablus and Jericho. The range of accommodation provided on the tour, consisting of homestays, monasteries, and Bedouin camps, provides the opportunity to get to know and understand the vast range of people who inhabit the West Bank.
* Wadi MakhrourFor those looking for a shorter but equally stunning route, the Makhrour valley near Bethlehem provides the perfect route for a half-day hike. Due to the ancient terraced water system found in the valley, it has been granted UNESCO world heritage status – which to the delight of nature lovers, environmentalists, and those fighting Israeli occupation, means it cannot be touched by settlements or separation walls. The charming village of Battir lies in the midst of ancient olive groves and vineyards, and provides an excellent starting point for a half-day hike to the town of Beit Jala. Visitpalestine.ps runs guided half-day tours, visiting historical and religious sites such as ancient tombs, a natural spring, and the remnants of the old railway connecting Jaffa and Jerusalem.
* Wadi QeltThe Qelt valley hike is known to be one of the most beautiful walks in Palestine, even more so in springtime when the trees are in full bloom and the valley floor is carpeted in flowers. Along with the array of flora and fauna, the route passes through sites of historical interest, such as Ottoman-era buildings and the famous St George’s Monastery. Bawadi Desert Eco-Tourism, a recent Bedouin youth-focused tourism initiative, runs a four-hour guided hike of Wadi Qelt with the option of a traditional Bedouin lunch. Bawadi, made up of Bedouin from the Jahalin tribe who were ousted from the Negev Desert in 1949 by the Israeli Authorities, boasts a range of guided hiking tours along ancient shepherding trails known only to the Bedouin. Tours include traditional meals with Bedouin families, offering them the opportunity to tell their stories and share their heritage, seen as under threat due to the Israeli occupation who increasingly infringe on Palestinian land, restricting the Bedouins’ nomadic way of life and thus their livelihood. Bawadi also offer hikes in the stunning Wadi Mukalak, as well as from Mar Saba Monastery to Tel al-Qamar.
* Wadi JahirFor nature lovers, hiking in the Jahir valley provides fantastic opportunities to observe the birds and wildlife native to Palestine. Located in the midst of the Judean desert, the valley is a remote and peaceful spot, perfect for those looking to reconnect with nature after experiencing the bustle and chaos of the region’s cities. Hantourism, a Palestinian community-based tourism platform promoting sustainable, budget-friendly and independent tourism initiatives, offers half-day treks from Ain Jahir, the valley’s spring, to Ain Fusail.