Over two thousand years ago, Jesus left his home in Nazareth and embarked on an
arduous journey. He eventually arrived at the lake side fishing village of Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee.
Throughout the course of his journey, he performed various miracles along the way.
In 2007, Maoz Inon, a Jewish Israeli entrepreneur teamed up with David Landis, a Christian American hiking specialist to re- establish the route traversed by the Son of God years ago.
Today, this 40 mile (64 km) long trail, commonly known as the ‘Jesus Trail’ or the ‘Gospel Trail’ has been opened to the public for hiking and camping. The trail connects the important places from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It offers a surreal experience for devotees by offering them a profound and deeply personal experience of the route traversed by the Messiah years ago.
Nazareth
The trail begins in the ancient city of Nazareth, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The closest airport to Nazareth is Tel Aviv. Throughout history, Nazareth has been home to a wide variety of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In the present day, Nazareth predominantly consists of Arab citizens of Israel and is the largest Arab city in Israel. The majority of its population are followers of the Islamic faith, while most of the others are followers of Christianity.
The Mount of Beatitudes
Winding across numerous places of importance from the life of Christ, the trail also takes hikers to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
The Tabgha
Also, nearby is the Tabgha, nestled on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. This site is where
the Messiah is said to have multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish and fed up to 5000 people. This miracle is chronicled in the murals on the walls of the Church of the Multiplication nearby.
Capernaum
Treading along this trail, hikers finally get to the town of Capernaum which sits on the shores of the largest freshwater lake in Israel, Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee). Jesus is said
to have lived and performed various miracles in Capernaum including walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee.
Source: Melange
Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias or Kinneret has witnessed numerous miracles of Jesus Christ - the shores of Galilee is where much of the ministry of Jesus took place. One of the highlights of the Gospel trail is that travellers can also take boat trips across the lake.
The trail in itself is moderately arduous and the best way to tackle it is by hiking across in a span of three to five days. This way, hikers only need to cover approximately 10 miles (16 km) in a day. This also allows hikers to make the most of the experience and allows them to gain a better understanding of he life led by Jesus Christ.
The most recommended time to venture on the trail is either in the fall or the spring.
Water is available to hikers at various intervals throughout the journey. There are various options for accommodation including but not limited to dorms, campsites, B&Bs.
Although hiking along the Gospel Trail is relatively safe, group travel is advised. It is also advised that your dress
is demure as some of the churches and other holy places you will visit during the excursion may prohibit entry is your outfit is what they will consider to be immodest.
