We have started the route from the kibbutz Yagur, which is located 10 km south-east of Haifa, Israel. The Israel National Trail passes via the kibbutz and there is a very convenient, safe and free parking lot to park a car. Unfortunately, there are no water points during the first 36km of the route are therefore before starting the route, we have planted some water and food on the km 20.9 where the route crosses the road #672.
The first half of the route is easier and that is the reason why we have decided to start in the evening and run the easy part in the dark. On the km 36 of the route there is a public water point, a gas station and a convenience store with some food and snakes. From this point the route becomes much more challenging and interesting. There are a number of beautiful single trails in the Nir Etzion area later merging with the Israel National Trail and getting more and more technical.
On the km 49.5 there is a public water point with a large rest area. From this point the trail becomes even more challenging with steep climbs, technical downhills and beautiful caves along the trail. On the km 57 the route passes near another public water point before climbing to Beit Oren.
The most difficult part begins on the km 60 with a very technical downhill via a dry river bed full of rocks and roots. After that the route climbs the Nahal Neder dry river bed, which is very challenging and technical.On the km 69 the route goes down via the Nahal Galim dry river bed and then climbs up via the Nahal Kelah dry river bed, which is once again very technical and full of large boulders and various obstacles. From this point the route goes down back to the starting point, but the trail is quite technical making it difficult to run.
In the end, it took us more than 18 hours to complete the route and for us it was a great experience.
But, I am sure that strong runners with experience running on technical trails can complete the route much faster.