The Popular Mountains in Makkah Surrounding the City

The Popular Mountains in Makkah Surrounding the City

 

Makkah is the Islam’s most sacred city and is well-known not just for its holy places but also for the stunning mountains around it. These tall mountains have seen countless events over time and help guide religious visitors and tourists find their way. 

 

Each mountain gives visitors something special to see, with beautiful views of the city and its holy buildings below. These mountains draw in people who love taking pictures, going on adventures, and learning about the past. 

 

6 Popular Mountains in Makkah

 

Makkah is a very famous place and also the most holy destination for muslims all across the globe. This place is surrounded by several mountain ranges which make the city more beautiful.

 

1. Jabal Al-Nour

Jabal Al-Nour (Mountain of Light) is a very important mountain in Makkah that holds deep connections with Muslims around the world. This is the sacred place where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) first encountered the Angel Gabriel.

 

The mountain reaches a height of about 642 meters into the sky. People who want to visit usually drive along Al-Mansoor Road to get to the bottom of the mountain. The upward journey begins from there. The path to the top is quite steep.

 

Photography Tips and Spots

 

• Capture the sunrise from the top for magnificent views of Makkah.
• The cave of Hira offers a great focal point for historical photography.
• Wide-angle shots can capture both the mountain and the surrounding landscape.
• The natural lighting highlights the uneven terrain of the mountain’s rocky paths.
• Photos of the pilgrim activity can showcase the spiritual atmosphere.

 

2. Jabal Thawr

 

Jabal Thawr is a very important mountain in Islamic history. It has a special cave called the Cave of Thawr where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his close friend Abu Bakr hid during their journey from Makkah to Madinah. This journey is known as the Hijra.

The mountain reaches a height of about 1,400 meters and you can find it around 5 kilometers to the south of the Kaaba. The best way to visit Jabal Thawr is to take the road that goes to Al-Hijrah. You’ll find clear paths that lead to the bottom of mountain.

Photography Tips and Spots

 

• Capture sunrise or sunset for the best lighting.
• Focus on the cave’s entrance for a historically significant shot.
• Use wide-angle lenses to highlight the mountain’s vast area.
• The surrounding desert offers brilliant contrast shots.
• Frame shots to include Makkah’s skyline in the distance.

 

3. Jabal Omar

Jabal Omar is a mountain that sits right next to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah. This special mountain has deep connections to the time when Islam first began, and it stands very close to Makkah’s holiest places. 

 

Jabal Omar reaches up about 2,000 meters into the sky when measured from the sea level. Anyone wanting to visit Jabal Omar can easily get there by taking King Abdul Aziz Road. This takes you straight to the area around the Grand Mosque.

 

Photography Tips and Spots

 

• Capture panoramic views of the Grand Mosque from higher altitude.
• Early morning light provides the best natural lighting for amazing shots.
• Use a wide-angle lens to capture the vast landscape and the mountain’s surface.
• Spot out unique angles of the minarets and surrounding landscape from height.
• Sunset photography from the top can create breathtaking images.

4. Jabal Thabir

 

Mount Thabir stands as one of the most important mountains in Mecca. This was the sacred place where God sent a sheep to Prophet Abraham as a substitute sacrifice instead of his son Ishmael. 

 

The mountain reaches a height of 1,101 meters above sea level. The visitors can see amazing views of Mecca spread out below from its slopes. You can find Mount Thabir close to the Valley of Mina. It’s easy to reach by taking the road to Mina.

 

Photography Tips and Spots

 

• Capture sunrise or sunset from the peak for  breathtaking city views.
• Focus on the unique uneven rock formations in the morning light.
• Wide-angle picture is good to capture the panoramic views of Makkah.
• The soft light of dawn and dusk creates ideal atmosphere for photography.
• Frame the mountain in contrast with nearby greenery and the Mina tents.

 

5. Jabal Qubais

 

Jabal Qubais is a very important mountain in Makkah that sits close to the Grand Mosque. Muslims believe this mountain has special meaning in Islamic history because the Black Stone (Hajr Aswad) was kept safe here during Prophet Ibrahim’s time. 

 

The mountain reaches a height of about 420 meters and helps people understand Makkah’s holy history better. People can easily get to the mountain by taking Al-Masjid Al-Haram Road as this is a simple route.

 

Photography Tips and Spots

 

• Capture wide-angle shots from a steep height.
• Best lighting is during early mornings or sunset for softer tones.
• The mountain’s rough surface and surrounding landmarks are best for close-up shots.
• Use the Grand Mosque as a backdrop to focus the spiritual significance of area.
• Capture panoramic views from the summit to show the vast spread of the city.

 

6. Jabal Al-Sarawat

The Sarawat Mountains contain a peak called Jabal Al-Sarawat. This played a vital role in ancient times when traders used these routes to travel between Yemen and different parts of Arabia. 

 

Some parts of the mountain reach heights of more than 3,000 meters above sea level. You can take the road that connects Taif and Makkah to visit the mountain. This journey takes you through beautiful rocky landscapes and deep valleys.

 

Photography Tips and Spots

 

• Best time for photography is early morning or late afternoon for soft lighting.
• Capture panoramic shots from highest viewpoints for sensational effect.
• A zoom lens is good to focus on the mountain ridges and surrounding scenery.
• Sunset photography can highlight the unique textures of the rocky terrain.

 

Concluding Remarks

 

The mountains around Makkah are very special because you can see amazing views of the whole city and its sacred places. Many people climb mountains to pray, go on hiking adventures, or take beautiful pictures. This makes your visit to Islam’s most holy city even more meaningful and special.

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