At the beginning of January (2016), we were informed that Google’s ambitious project has come to an end and from now on anyone can “walk” for Israel, without leaving the door of the house or office. For ten grueling weeks, a couple of hikers walked the longest trail in the country, carrying a total of 50 kg on their backs that includes a pair of Trekker cameras from Google Street View. As of this writing, all of the 1,100 miles of the trail are available to skiers all over the world. The first to cross a country and the longest trail mapped in Google Street View.
The history of the trail at the tip of the fork
The Israel Trail begins at Kibbutz Dan (Ushiskin House) and ends somewhere on the shores of the Gulf of Eilat at the Eilat Field School. The idea for the Israel Trail was raised as early as the 1980s, when the source of inspiration was the famous Appalachian Trail in the United States. For 16 years complex discussions took place regarding the route of the trail and it was finally inaugurated in 1995. Over the years the route of the trail was changed and a number of other trails were added that connect to the main route, among other things because the trail does not pass through Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
One of the most beautiful routes in the world
The truth is that it is no wonder that the Israel Trail received this honor, since it was recently chosen to star in the list of the 20 most attractive hiking trails in the world, published in the prestigious National Geographic magazine. It is no exaggeration to say that pretty much every single one of the sections along the trail is worth photographing, but there are many hikers who choose not to carry particularly expensive equipment photography, both because of the fear of damage and because of the weight of equipment, in addition to the necessary equipment.
The good news is that you do not really have to carry too much photography equipment to photograph the perfect landscapes of our country, which simply requires that they be documented in spectacular photography.
Enjoy all the worlds
You must have heard the phrase more than once: “Too bad I did not take a camera for a trip,” which is heard from travelers who will never be able to describe in words the wonderful landscapes they discovered during the trip. If you do not want to join the regrets, let us offer you two ideas that will allow you to enjoy all the worlds, ie also travel, also take photos and ultimately not regret the weight of the photo equipment you carried or alternatively that you chose to leave it at home.
The first option is to walk in sections. No one said that it is obligatory to cross the trail in one long hike and in fact most hikers on the trail usually hike once a week, two weeks or a month, with each hike going another five, ten or twenty kilometers, depending on their physical abilities and time available.
In addition, you can now sign up for a nature photography course, which takes place at various points along the trail. A photography course can suit not only professionals but also amateurs and even those who have never held a camera. With a little patience you can find interesting courses such as a course that focuses on bird photography, a course of panoramic photography, a course that takes place in the desert and more. Good luck and have a nice trip and amazing photos.