A Challenge on the Carmel Scenic Route

As part of my preparation for an expedition in New Zealand, I set out on a 20 km trek along the Carmel Scenic Route. A wide and beautiful trail, gently rolling but comfortable for walking.

I knew this path well from previous running training sessions, but this was my first time hiking it with a backpack and trekking boots. And to be honest? This was one of the toughest and most grueling training sessions I’ve ever had.

On one hand, I loved the scenery and the company. On the other, I struggled through a good part of the journey.

The first 10 km were a dream—stunning views of the Jezreel Valley, crisp and cool weather, interesting conversations along the way, scenic photo opportunities, and a breathtaking lookout at the turnaround point. Pure joy.

The last 10 km? Let’s just say they were challenging, to put it mildly. It started with the fact that I wore hiking pants a size too big (pro tip: unless you’ve thoroughly coated yourself in Vaseline, don’t do that), combined with the brilliant decision to break in brand-new hiking boots on a 20 km trek (another pro tip: don’t do that either). Add to that an unusually heavy backpack and a stubborn mindset, and you get a recipe for disaster.

To make a long story short—blisters on my feet, chafing from the waist down, an aching back, a few vertebrae that seemed to have taken a detour from my spine, a stiff neck, and mild jaw pain from all the teeth grinding because I refused to stop or take off my pack.

This hike stayed with me—literally—for another week as I dealt with the aftermath of wounds and muscle pain. My body took it hard, and recovery took longer than expected (not ideal, considering I climbed Mount Hermon the following week). But at the end of the day, after an experience like this, the sense of accomplishment is undeniable.

It’s empowering to know you can push through tough days and challenges. I learned a trick or two about recovery (turns out acne cream is great for drying out blisters) and, most importantly, that taking a few moments to plan before heading out can make all the difference.

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