Your Travels: Finding the way on Jesus Trail

By Kay Martin Special for The Republic

15/6/13

We intended to hike the 40-mile Jesus Trail from Nazareth to Capernaum. In Nazareth we checked into the Fauzi Azar Inn near the beginning of the trail.

The next morning, we followed the orange dots to the top of Nazareth and down the road. After 5 miles we came upon extensive construction and the end of the dots. We begged a ride from an English-speaking doctor to the next trail location. He dropped us off at Zippori National Park, which contains remnants of Roman and Byzantine mosaic-tile floors.

We again encountered construction and the loss of the orange markers as we neared Cana. With directions from locals we managed to find Cana and the Yarok Az Organic Farm. The goat-farm “house” we spent the evening in had only wooden shutters that did not close tightly.

Crossing more construction, we again lost and found our orange guides. They led us near a training area for the Israeli army, up a hillside and past a herd of cattle before they disappeared once more. We were lost again. As a passerby said: “Jesus probably got lost at times also.”

Our next destination was a bed-and-breakfast in Moshav Arbel. Finding our way to a highway, we came upon a combi (shared taxi). The driver said he could get us to Arbel. He waved his hand at a cross street and said there’s Arbel. We crossed the road and found a sign: Arbel 3K. A long 3K hike later, we turned in at a lovely house for the night.

In Capernaum we viewed the ruins of the Apostle Peter’s house and the synagogue where Jesus taught. A Greek Orthodox monastery with ornate chandeliers, windows and art stood nearby.

From the balcony of our hostel in Tiberias, we enjoyed the view of the Sea of Galilee, played chess and watched people below. Our walk was complete.

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