For those either very religious, very active or simply interested in seeing the historical sites that dot the path from Nazareth to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, the Gospel Trail is a 37-mile pilgrimage route that follows the footsteps of Jesus Christ as he traveled to Capernaum from Nazareth delivering his ministry.
The Gospel Trail winds its way from Mount Precipice to Jezreel Valley and Beit Keshet Oak Reserve before skirting Mount Arbel through Magdala, Tabgha, and finally to Capernaum. Alternate routes lead those on the trail to sites such as Mount Tabor, the Church of the Transfiguration and the Mount of Beatitudes. All of these routes, however, end at the main destination at the Capernaum center, where Gospel Trail walkers will be able to continue their spiritual journey on the Sea of Galilee itself. There, a special dock has been constructed, and there are areas for prayer and inspirational solitude on the shoreline.
The Gospel Trail can be traveled on foot, by bicycle or car. It’s advised that those taking the trail should carry a detailed map on their journey, although there is unique signage hewn into basalt rocks that blend into the natural landscape and feature the relevant scripture readings for the site, safety barriers, shaded rest areas, stone benches, picnic sites and tourist information.
We recommend travelers take the Gospel Trail during the spring and fall—February to mid-May and October to November. In the spring, Israel’s landscape becomes lush and green, flowers are in full bloom and rivers and creeks are flowing, while in the fall the land is quite dry. During both seasons, those follwing the trail should expect some rain, so they should pack accordingly.
