hike or pay for supplies to be delivered. Hikers can seek help from "trail angels". For example, at Kibbutz Yagur, a soldier leaves the key to her room for hikers who need a place to sleep and a farmer in Hadera forest offers sleeping quarters in exchange for a day's work. Awards and recognition In 2012, National Geographic magazine included the trail on its best hiking trail list. It was praised for "connecting to something that often gets lost in all the headlines: the sublime beauty of the wilderness of the Middle East." According to the magazine, "the joy of the trail is meeting the Israelis hiking it, and spending some time in small kibbutzim where local people take hikers into their homes." Route The trail is a continuous footpath across the entire country of Israel. It mostly consists of dirt tracks, however, occasionally it includes quiet roads or pavements. The path is frequently marked by its unique striped markers. These are often painted on rocks and trees, or with signs and plates. The trail is walked either North-to-South or South-to-North, both directions are common. However, the North-to-South is more frequently taken. Therefore a description of the route in that direction follows. Upper Galilee The official start of the trail is in Kibbutz Dan, located behind the Beit Ussishkin Museum. It proceeds to pass through Tel Dan Nature Reserve, and Senir National Park. Passing around the city of Kiryat Shmona, it goes near Tel Hai, where it passes by a memorial to Joseph Trumpeldor. The path in this area is elevated, providing views of the Hula Valley, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Further along, the path reaches Nabi Yusha fort/Metzudat Koach, and then a shrine, Al-Nabi Yusha' (Prophet Joshua). The trail continues up to Mount Meron. It passes by a rock formation known as Elijah's Chair, and the archaeological site of Khirbet Shema. Further, the trail sees exposed pipes of the National Water Carrier of Israel. It then passes by the elevated city of Safed, although it does not enter. Lower Galilee Now at a lower elevation, the route reaches close to the Sea of Galilee, at the town of Migdal. It then ascends briefly onto Mount Arbel, with views of the cliffs and natural caves below. From here, the route comes nearby to the Horns of Hattin, where the Battle of Hattin took place. Shortly afterwards, the