From Sea to Sea, Hiking Across Israel

JERUSALEM, May 16, 2008 — -- One of the most famous hikes in Israel, "Sea to Sea," is a four-day trek from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee.

For a group of 40 American college students studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for the semester, the 31-mile hike would prove to be a classroom of another kind.

The trip leader reminded us that even though it appears safe in Israel, it is important to be cautious.

"Don't pick up anything from the ground," she said. "Be careful of things — like land mines."

The trip began on the western coast of Israel near Nahariya, as we hiked through Goren Park and the surrounding area.

From the top of the steep Nachal Kziv trail, we could see an example of the contrast between ancient and modern Israel.

Across the valley was Monfort Fortress, ruins of a fortress built by Templar knights and conquered in the 12th century by Crusaders. Just behind it was Mitzpe Hila, home to Gilad Shalit, the captured soldier held hostage since 2006 by the Islamist group Hezbollah.

The second day was to be our most challenging, as we would scale Mount Meron, the tallest mountain within Israel's internationally recognized borders, standing at 3,955 feet. Only Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights is taller.

It is standard protocol in Israel to have at least two armed guards and medics escort a group of Americans on trips, and, in this particular case, to help us make tea.

Every rest stop, the guards helped us brew tea with fresh sage, mint and brown sugar. Another batch was made with fresh za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice similar to thyme.

During one break, a convoy of identical cars suddenly surrounded us. A large group of senior citizens emerged slowly from the vehicles, wearing mismatched hiking clothes and stiff white visors.

"My husband and his friends were in a youth group together," one woman with a walking aid said in Hebrew, "Everyone here is over 70 years old. Every two weeks, they reunite and we hike in different parts of Israel."