Mount Sela - Medina's historic guard posts

 The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed to God for victory on Mount Sela during the Battle of the Trench. The hill is also mentioned in several Hadith, such as the Prayer for Rain and The Forgiveness of Kaʾb bin Malik. It is also cited by alHamdani in his book Geography of the Arabian Peninsula as a part of Medina city in the 900s CE. (Wikipedia) Due to its strategic location overlooking the centre of Medina, fortified positions were built on the rocky hill to monitor the area. Although ruined, these buildings still stand. 

It’s an easy hike that takes 1-2 hours depending on how long you spend admiring the amazing views of Medina from the top. However, the status of the area is somewhat uncertain, and you should seek local advice. It used to be a military zone with restricted access, but the fences have been removed at various points and people now freely enter. The police stand guard at the Seven Mosques but do not seem to object. 

There are three paths: one from the side of the Haram and two from the Seven Mosques area. It is recommended to start from the Seven Mosques as most people begin the climb from there, making you feel more confident that you are not doing anything improper. 

The hike in Google Maps 

Open the menu to turn waypoints on and off.

Hikes around Riyadh: Edge of the World | Camel Trail | Graffiti Rock ; Abha: Jabal Soudah | Wadi Lajab | Jabal Ferwa ; Najran: Raoum ; Bisha: White Mountain ; Taif: Kara Heritage Trail | Harithi Escarpment | Al-Waba Crater ; Medina: Mount Sela | Mount Uhud ; Al-Ula: Wadi al-Naam | Mahash Viewpoint | Dadan Trail ; Tabuk: Wadi al-Deesah | Jabal Shayban | Wadi al-Aqlah | "Real Mount Sinai" 

The hike in photos

The path from the Haram





































































The path from the Seven Mosques
















 

Hikes around Riyadh: Edge of the World | Camel Trail | Graffiti Rock ; Abha: Jabal Soudah | Wadi Lajab | Jabal Ferwa ; Najran: Raoum ; Bisha: White Mountain ; Taif: Kara Heritage Trail | Harithi Escarpment | Al-Waba Crater ; Medina: Mount Sela | Mount Uhud ; Al-Ula: Wadi al-Naam | Mahash Viewpoint | Dadan Trail ; Tabuk: Wadi al-Deesah | Jabal Shayban | Wadi al-Aqlah | "Real Mount Sinai" 

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