Anyone planning a trip to Israel is likely bringing along hiking shoes. Hiking is a huge part of touring Israel. One reason for this is that a lot of Israel is mountainous. But not too mountainous where you need special equipment and gear like ropes and crampons. The mountains are also not so high that you have altitude issues. And - this is one of the coolest things about Israel -  the topography is incredibly diverse. So one day in the north you can be walking in the forest, the next day you are in the south hiking in the desert. The day after that you are on the beach. And then there is all the city walking to do.

So here are my picks for great hikes in Israel. Some are famous, some less well known. There are lots of hikes and walks in Israel that are great for family trips and are even strollers friendly. And then there are some that only experienced hikers in good shape have any business attempting. So below just a small sampling. I tried to pick a selection of hikes that are not only awesome fun, but also completely different from each other. This will hopefully give you a sense of the diversity of activity there is to do in Israel.

Nahal Iyon. This is a hike up north that takes you past three beautiful waterfalls. The only slightly annoying thing about this hike is that you need to arrange for a pickup vehicle because it starts and ends at different points. But it’s definitely worth it. The hike is about 2km long and should take you anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on your pace. There is something very cool about this hike, though. Originally there was only water running through the falls during the rainy season. The Israeli Nature and National Parks Authority built a pipe to the Dan Stream so there is water here now year round. So firstly, that means any time you come, you get to experience the falls. But even cooler - especially for you ecotourists out there - the water ensures the preservation of the local wildlife and vegetation. In fact, you can’t go into the falls as the ecosystem is so delicately managed by the Parks Authority.

Nahal Amud. This is another great northern hike and one where you can go in the water. What  makes this one unique? The hiking trail winds its way through beautiful orchards. As you walk along this not-too-difficult hike, you will pass almost all of the seven species of israel, and more. There are pomegranate, fig, date and olive trees. There are also lemon trees along the route, along with carob trees and grapevines. And they payoff at the end is a wading pool that is not too deep so you can go in with the kids. And don’t worry. You’ll be dry by the time you get back.

Mt. Tzfachot. This hike takes you to the very opposite end of the country, In fact it’s almost in Egypt. If you are in Eilat and want to see an unforgettable view, climb this hike. The hike itself is an ascent and difficult in spots so you definitely will sweat. Depending on your fitness level it should take about 2-4 hours. And when you get to the top -wow. You can see the entire Dead Sea area, Egypt, Jordan and even the tip of Saudi Arabia.

The Darga. The official name of this hike is Nahal Dragot. It is probably one of the most challenging hikes in Israel and it’s a full day, hard core trek. You will have to rappel down parts of this, swim through pools and scramble over very difficult terrain. But people who do it (and are fit) say it’s the best hike ever.

Wadi Quelt. Also called Ein Prat, this is an incredible combination of awesome hike and incredible archeology, both Jewish and Christian. There is also that very key water part of the hike which is nice when trekking in the Negev as it can get HOT. There are some ancient monasteries here, some of which are still inhabited by monks and have visiting hours. You will also pass the oldest synagogue ruins in the world. These date back to Hasmonean times.

Do you have any favorite hikes in Israel? Please let us know your favorite.