This northern Israel port city has some gorgeous running. The setting and geography are fascinating, as Haifa is built in tiers extending from the Mediterranean up the slope of Mount Carmel, incorporating the famously landscaped Bahá’í Gardens. The best places to run in Haifa are:
Run Along the Water. There is a wonderful multi-use path directly along the Mediterranean, extending from the area near the Hof Train Station/Google building, to Bat Galim — 6.7 km (4.2 miles). Great views of the water on one side and the city on the other. It’s also possible to run on the beach, in the right conditions, although it does not follow the entire route. ROUTE MAP
Louis Promenade. Photo: Jon Frankel
Bahá’í Gardens Area & Promenade. These gardens, with their 19 terraces of flower beds climbing to the domed Bahai shrine on Mt Carmels are centrally located in Haifa and are a popular visitor spot. Running is not permitted in the Gardens, as they’re a holy site. The best running is the ~2 km along Yefe Nof St./Louis Promenade between the Sculpture Garden and the Haifa Zoo for a lovely promenade with great views. Combine this with the quieter side streets coming off the gardens at different levels. NOTE: Hilly!
Haifa 1,000 Steps. A unique run and a challenge! Run up 1,000 stairs along the terraces of Haifa & Carmel Mountain. This is the course from a popular race held every May. Detailed description and map.
Carmel Mountain National Park. Israel’s largest national park has a significant network of trails. It is more trail running here, with varying degrees of difficulty, terrain, and elevation. On this link, scroll to the “Selected Trails and Sites” for suggestions of trail options.
Ein Hashofet Forest/Nachal Hashofet. Located about 1/2 hour drive from Haifa. Great area for some trail running. Beautiful scenery, with terrain ranging from easy to challenging. One popular route is to Nachal Hashofet, another hiking area, with streams, fields, and forests. Many trails — can be confusing! Also a good spot on a hot day, as some of the trails offer good shade.
This northern Israel port city has some gorgeous running. The setting and geography are fascinating, as Haifa is built in tiers extending from the Mediterranean up the slope of Mount Carmel, incorporating the famously landscaped Bahá’í Gardens. The best places to run in Haifa are:
Run Along the Water. There is a wonderful multi-use path directly along the Mediterranean, extending from the area near the Hof Train Station/Google building, to Bat Galim — 6.7 km (4.2 miles). Great views of the water on one side and the city on the other. It’s also possible to run on the beach, in the right conditions, although it does not follow the entire route. ROUTE MAP
Louis Promenade. Photo: Jon Frankel
Bahá’í Gardens Area & Promenade. These gardens, with their 19 terraces of flower beds climbing to the domed Bahai shrine on Mt Carmels are centrally located in Haifa and are a popular visitor spot. Running is not permitted in the Gardens, as they’re a holy site. The best running is the ~2 km along Yefe Nof St./Louis Promenade between the Sculpture Garden and the Haifa Zoo for a lovely promenade with great views. Combine this with the quieter side streets coming off the gardens at different levels. NOTE: Hilly!
Haifa 1,000 Steps. A unique run and a challenge! Run up 1,000 stairs along the terraces of Haifa & Carmel Mountain. This is the course from a popular race held every May. Detailed description and map.
Carmel Mountain National Park. Israel’s largest national park has a significant network of trails. It is more trail running here, with varying degrees of difficulty, terrain, and elevation. On this link, scroll to the “Selected Trails and Sites” for suggestions of trail options.
Ein Hashofet Forest/Nachal Hashofet. Located about 1/2 hour drive from Haifa. Great area for some trail running. Beautiful scenery, with terrain ranging from easy to challenging. One popular route is to Nachal Hashofet, another hiking area, with streams, fields, and forests. Many trails — can be confusing! Also a good spot on a hot day, as some of the trails offer good shade.
Israel's second largest city is a lively, multicultural dynamo. The signature running in Tel Aviv is the promenade along the Mediterranean. Nice runs along the Yarkon River, some cool neighborhoods, Boulevard Rothschild, and Herzliya.
The best places to run in Jerusalem include our 'runseeing' tour, the Promenade (Tayelet), rail trail (Rekevet), The Forest, Sacher Park, and the Ben Shemen Forest. We don't recommend running in the Old City.
Nice waterfront running paths in these northern Israel spots near the Lebanon border. From Nahariya, the path goes for 3 km south to Shavei Zion. From Acre, the path goes for 3 km north. Also, do a quick jaunt around the Acre Old City!
Some good running around the Sea of Galilee. A 'runseeing' tour of Tiberias Old City, including the Yigal Alon Promenade, a few km of nice running along the Jordan River, and a good section of the Israel National Trail above the sea.
Some hilly, scenic running in Safed, the highest city in Israel. The recommended run is up to and around the Citadel, which has great views of the out to the Galilee. Also some good trail running in Limonim Forest.
Run from the lowest place on earth! Masada's snake path which climbs 2 km and 400 meter elevation gain to the summit and wonderfully preserved Roman fortress with great views. Nearby Ein Gedi is a trail running treat.
Run at the lowest point on earth! Just south of Masada, a pedestrian/cycle path runs for 9 km along the Dead Sea between Ein Bobek and Neve Zohar. Great views of the water and surrounding mountains. Get a post-run treatment at the famed Zohar Hot Springs!
Southern Israeli port and resort town on the Red Sea near Jordan, popular with visitors. Our 6.4 km route features the beach promenade and marina, mostly off-road. Timna Park, 20 km north, has spectacular desert trail running.
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Run Along the Water. There is a wonderful multi-use path directly along the Mediterranean, extending from the area near the Hof Train Station/Google building, to Bat Galim — 6.7 km (4.2 miles). Great views of the water on one side and the city on the other. It’s also possible to run on the beach, in the right conditions, although it does not follow the entire route. ROUTE MAP
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