Mount Ebal Mountain

Mount Ebal is a limestone mountain in the northern West Bank - part of the Samarian hills - with a summit plateau at roughly 940 metres above sea level. It is frequently mentioned in biblical texts and is paired geographically with nearby Mount Gerizim.

The summit plateau and adjacent slopes are the main draws, providing wide views over the Shechem valley and the modern city of Nablus. The northern slope contains an archaeological excavation area where a substantial stone structure was uncovered.

Archaeological surveys and excavations were conducted on the mountain in the 1980s and 1990s under Adam Zertal, who documented the stone installation and associated features. The mountain has long been noted in historical and religious texts, and its archaeological remains have been the subject of scholarly debate.

The mountain sits just north of the city of Nablus (Shechem) in the central West Bank, forming a steep ridge opposite Mount Gerizim. The landscape around it is hilly and rural, with terraces and small villages on the lower slopes.

• Summit views: Offers panoramic views across the Shechem valley to the adjacent Mount Gerizim and toward the city of Nablus, with the summit plateau at approximately 940 metres above sea level.
• Archaeology: Archaeological remains were excavated in the 1980s and 1990s by Adam Zertal, who identified a large stone structure on the mountain’s slope interpreted as an ancient cultic installation.

What to See#

• Excavation site (Zertal): Excavation area on the northern summit where a large stone structure interpreted by excavator Adam Zertal as a cultic installation was uncovered during surveys and digs in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mount Ebal is accessible from the Palestinian city of Nablus and nearby Israeli routes; the site lies in a contested and sensitive political landscape. Visitors should check current travel advisories, secure necessary permissions, and consider guided visits with reputable local operators. The nearest major urban center is Nablus; from there local roads lead toward the mountain.

• Visit the summit ridge for the classic biblical panorama-Mount Gerizim sits almost opposite and the view crystallizes why the two peaks were paired in ancient ceremony.
• If interested in the 1980s excavations, read Adam Zertal's reports beforehand; the finds and their interpretations remain debated in archaeological literature.
• Dress respectfully; the mountain is sacred to some communities and the area includes active agricultural villages.