Judaean Mountains Mountains

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.

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.

• 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.