The modular trail, which is fully open to the public since the 29 of Nov. 2011, follows historical routes and paths that Jesus is believed to have taken when he left Nazareth, the home of his childhood, for Capernaum on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which became the center of his ministry. Luke 4: 29 -31: “And they led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, he went his way. Then he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee…”
The main section of the trail, which begins at Mount Precipice, includes Jezreel Valley, Beit Qeshet Oak Reserve, along the Arbel Mountain through Magdala, Tabgha and Capernaum. Secondary routes of the Gospel Trail will take visitors to Mount Tabor and the Church of the Transfiguration, Kafr Kanna, the Horns of Hitim, Mount Arbel, and the Mount of Beatitudes. All of these routes will end at the main destination at the Capernaum center, where Gospel Trail walkers will be able to continue their spiritual journey on the Sea of Galilee itself. A special dock has been constructed, and there will be areas for prayer and inspirational solitude on the shoreline.
The Tourism Ministry, via its executive arm the Israel Government Tourist Corporation, in cooperation with KKL-JNF, has invested $700,000 in the Gospel Trail's infrastructure. This includes unique signage hewn into basalt rocks that blend into the natural landscape and feature the relevant scripture readings for the site, safety barriers, shaded rest areas, stone benches, picnic sites and tourist information. Gospel Trail brochures and maps are available attached as PDF. The Ministry of Tourism is going to attract private companies that will suit special hospitality packages to market the Gospel Trail to individual pilgrims and groups. The Gospel Trail will be included in the marketing materials used by the Ministry of Tourism via its websites, overseas offices and at international tourism fairs.
Other authorities involved in the Gospel Trail development include the Galilee Development Authority, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Israel Antiquities Authority and the local councils.