Mount of Moses Gebel Musa

A very rewarding expedition from the monastery is the ascent of Gebel Musa, the Mount of Moses (7,497ft/ 2,285m), on which Moses is said to have received from God the Tables of the Law. There are two main routes, the more strenuous of which is the pilgrims' route, believed to have been established as early as the sixth C., which involves climbing some 2,500 steps, passing on the way the simple Chapel of St Elias (Elijah; 6,880ft/2,097m). The alternative route is by way of the unfinished Abbas Pasha Road. For those who feel unable to tackle the ascent on foot there is also the possibility of hiring a camel. Whichever method is chosen the trip takes at least 3 hours there and back.