Judaean Mountains

Mountains Mountain ridge south of Jerusalem with biblical significance

The Judaean Mountains run south from Jerusalem toward Hebron, with limestone ridges, olive groves, ancient sites and marked trails frequented by hikers and religious pilgrims.

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20180116-55133-jerusalem-israel-january-2018.jpg
4th Light Horse Regiment entering the Judean Hills 1918.jpg
Ain Karem (?) LOC matpc.06272.jpg
Air views of Palestine. Various points of interest around Jerusalem. Ain Karem, 'In the hill country of Judea.' Traditional birthplace of John the Baptist LOC matpc.22169.jpg
Air views of Palestine. West of Jerusalem. Judean mountain range looking W. toward Jerusalem. Along air route LOC matpc.15863.jpg
Air views of Palestine. West of Jerusalem. Judean Mountain Range. Hills and valleys S. of Ajalon. Looking S.E. LOC matpc.22179.jpg
Air views of Palestine. West of Jerusalem. Mountain scene S.W. of Jerusalem. An effective side view showing the general slope toward the Sharon Plain LOC matpc.15861.jpg

The Judaean Mountains, also called the Judean Hills, are a limestone highland ridge in central Israel and the West Bank that runs roughly north-south between the coastal plain and the Jordan Rift Valley. The range contains numerous towns and sites with long historical and religious significance.

The terrain is characterised by rolling hills, terraced slopes and valleys with Mediterranean vegetation and agricultural land in inhabited areas. The hills include the Jerusalem Hills in the north and the Mount Hebron region to the south, with settlements, monasteries and cultivated terraces across the range.

The area has been settled and cultivated for millennia and contains many historical sites referenced in biblical and later periods. Geographically it forms the watershed between western-flowing streams and the Rift Valley to the east, and it lies adjacent to cities such as Jerusalem and Hebron.

  • Geographic and historical importance: The Judaean Mountains form the ridge between the coastal plain and the Jordan Rift Valley and include many towns and sites of biblical and historical significance such as Jerusalem and Hebron.

What to See #

  • Jerusalem Hills: The Jerusalem Hills comprise the northern portion of the range and include the city of Jerusalem on their northern slopes and ridge tops.
  • Mount Hebron: The Hebron Hills or Mount Hebron region forms the southern sector and contains the city of Hebron and a mix of agricultural terraces and settlements.
Judaean Mountains
31.6667, 35.1667

How to Get to Judaean Mountains #

Most access points are from Jerusalem (western neighborhoods) or from the Dead Sea road to the east. Major regional roads include Road 1 (to Jerusalem) and Road 60 which crosses the Judaean ridge north-south. Local buses and shared taxis (sheruts) serve larger towns; many hikes start from villages or small parking points on secondary roads.

Tips for Visiting Judaean Mountains #

  • Explore on foot from Jerusalem's west side via the Begin/Basmat junction for short ridge walks and viewpoints.
  • Avoid unmarked hiking at night; some areas are militarily sensitive and signage can be sparse.
  • Bring binoculars for watching seasonal bird migrations in spring and autumn.

Best Time to Visit Judaean Mountains #

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times for walking the Judaean Mountains; summers are hot and winters can be wet and chilly at elevation.

Spring (Mar-May)
March-May · 10-22°C
Wildflowers and good hiking conditions across the ridges; the hills are green.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
September-November · 18-25°C
Cooler temperatures and clearer air make for comfortable walks and long views.

Weather & Climate near Judaean Mountains #

Climate

Judaean Mountains's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 29°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
45°
Warmest Month
-2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (109 mm).

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).

66 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall.

80 Excellent

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 21°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 27°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 29°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
17° 29°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
16° 27°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).

63 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.0h daylight

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