HikeMetrics
Global Hiking Index
HikeMetrics
Global Hiking Index
HikeMetrics // Comparison Engine
Route A

Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el)

israel/national-cross-country
VS
Route B

Prossautal — A Glacial Box Valley in Hohe Tauern

austria/Gastein Valley, Salzburg

Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el) vs Prossautal — A Glacial Box Valley in Hohe Tauern: Intensity Score Comparison

Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el) is unequivocally more demanding overall (+40 points). While Prossautal — A Glacial Box Valley in Hohe Tauern is a serious endeavor, Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el) pushes the limits further, particularly regarding sustained physical exertion.

Model-based (not a field report) · Evaluates overall route demand, not danger.

Intensity Difference
+40 Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el) is harder
Higher Physical Load
Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el)
Higher Technical Seriousness
Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el)
Greater Commitment
Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el)
Overall HikeMetrics Score
Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el)wins 6 of 9 metrics
6
Route A
3
Route B
israel/national-cross-country

Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el)

EXPERT // HAZARD
Full Route Report

The Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el) is a long-distance route spanning approximately 1,100km (680 miles) from Kibbutz Dan in the north to the Red Sea at Eilat. The trail traverses diverse ecological and historical zones, including the forested hills of the Galilee, the coastal plain, the Jerusalem highlands, and the extensive Negev and Arava deserts. Thru-hiking the full distance typically requires 40-50 days. The infrastructure utilizes ancient caravan roads, Roman routes, and significant desert wadi systems, providing a comprehensive transect of the region's topography and Mediterranean-to-arid climate transition.

austria/Gastein Valley, Salzburg

Prossautal — A Glacial Box Valley in Hohe Tauern

LOW // ACCESS
Full Route Report

Deep within the Hohe Tauern National Park, the Prossautal is a valley that branches off the Kötschachtal near Bad Gastein. This long but mostly flat trail follows the Kötschach Ache river into a classic glacial box valley. The rock walls on either side rise significantly, with multiple thin waterfalls cascading down the granite faces. The trail ends at the Alpengasthof Prossau, a traditional alpine inn positioned near the base of the Tischler glacier.

Head-to-Head Metric Analysis

Intensity ScoreHigher Overall Demand
66 WINNER
26
Physical LoadMore Physically Taxing
80 WINNER
32
Technical SeriousnessMore Technically Demanding
40 WINNER
23
DistanceLonger route
1100 km WINNER
14 km
Elevation GainMore vertical
18,000 m WINNER
230 m
Highest PointHigher summit
1,208 m
WINNER1,278 m
DurationShorter commitment
45 days
WINNER1 days
Hazard LevelMore accessible
EXPERT // HAZARD
WINNERLOW // ACCESS
Crowd Level
2 / 5
2 / 5
RemotenessMore remote
3 / 5 WINNER
2 / 5

HikeMetrics Hazard Scale — Explanation

1
LOW // ACCESS
2
STANDARD // RT
3
MODERATE // CHLG
4
EXPERT // HAZARD
5
EXTREME // LETHAL

The HikeMetrics Hazard Scale is a proprietary 5-point classification system that evaluates hiking routes across five dimensions: physical demand, technical complexity, altitude exposure, weather risk, and rescue accessibility.

Unlike generic star ratings, the Hazard Scale is calibrated against altitude profiles, elevation gain per day, and logistical isolation factors — making it the most precise route classification system available.

Full Scale Documentation
Route A // Hazard Verdict
Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el)
EXPERT // HAZARD
water scarcity in negev: The southern half of the trail (Negev Desert) has almost no natural water sources for days at a time.
extreme heat and flash floods: Daytime temperatures in the desert can exceed 35°C, while narrow wadis can flash-flood instantly during rare rain events.
Route B // Hazard Verdict
Prossautal — A Glacial Box Valley in Hohe Tauern
LOW // ACCESS
length exhaustion: The 14km round trip is longer than it appears on a map, especially for families with small children.

Required Gear Comparison

Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisra'el)
High-quality, breathable trekking bootsWater bladder system (minimum 3L)Lightweight tent or tarp for the desert sectionsSun protection (everything from hat to SPF 50+)Small spirit stove or small burner (for desert camping)INT Trail Map or GPS with 'Shvil' trackLightweight down jacket (desert nights are cold in winter)
Prossautal — A Glacial Box Valley in Hohe Tauern
Light hiking shoesSun protectionWater bottleCameraLight fleece (the valley is shaded and cool)

Compare with Other Routes

argentina
Mount Fitz Roy (Cerro Fitz Roy)
EXPERT // HAZARD
argentina
Perito Moreno Glacier Trail
EXPERT // HAZARD
austria
Highway Lakes — Blindsee & Weißensee
LOW // ACCESS
austria
Graukogel — Pine Forests & strenuous Ridges
EXPERT // HAZARD
austria
Hochkeil — The Hidden Panorama
LOW // ACCESS
austria
Liechtensteinklamm — The Helix Chasm
LOW // ACCESS