Jabal Thawr & Cave of Thawr
Hike to the cave where the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr hid during the Hijrah
When the Quraysh sent assassins to kill the Prophet ﷺ, he and Abu Bakr slipped out of Makkah under cover of darkness and climbed Jabal Thawr. They hid in a small cave near the summit for three days while search parties combed the area. A spider spun its web across the entrance and a dove nested there — so the pursuers assumed no one had entered. This mountain preserved the future of Islam.
Jabal Thawr is one of the largest mountains in Makkah, overlooking Mina from the west. It gets far fewer visitors than Jabal Noor, but the history is equally staggering. This is where Surah At-Tawbah 9:40 was lived: "Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us." Standing in the cave where those words were spoken, looking out at the same desert landscape the Prophet ﷺ saw, connects you to the Hijrah in a way that reading about it never can.
The mountain is about 8 km south of the Haram. A new pathway called "In His Footsteps" (على خُطاه / Ala Khutah) has recently been activated, giving visitors two ways to reach Ghar Thawr:
- Walk the full route (free) — takes around 40–60 minutes. A proper hike on rocky terrain, but manageable for anyone with reasonable fitness and decent footwear.
- Vehicle to the halfway point (38 SAR per person) — a special vehicle takes you up the first half, leaving a 20-minute walk to the cave. This makes the experience accessible to families, elderly travellers, and anyone who would struggle with the full climb.
Either way, allow a similar amount of time for the descent.
Essentials:
- Start before sunrise — the heat is the biggest danger. Aim to be descending by 9 AM
- Water: Minimum 1 litre per person. There are no vendors on the mountain
- Footwear: Proper shoes are essential — the terrain is rocky and loose
- Company: Don't hike alone. Go with at least one companion
Getting there: Taxi from the Haram costs 25–40 SAR. Ask to be dropped at the Jabal Thawr Cultural District — the trail starts from there.
The cave sits near the summit — a narrow opening that fits 2–3 people at a time. The interior is small and dark, so a phone flashlight helps. It faces south, with views across the desert toward Yemen. This is where Surah At-Tawbah 9:40 was lived: "Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us." Take your time here.
- Avoid Fridays and holidays if you want solitude
- Do not attempt in summer months (June–September) — the heat is dangerous
- Less crowded than Jabal Noor, which many visitors prefer
- The descent is steep and hard on knees — trekking poles help if you have them
- Combine with a visit to the Jabal Thawr Cultural District at the base — the Al-Hijrah Exhibition there gives you the full context of the Hijrah before you climb
Discover more
Masjid Al-Sayyidah Aisha (Al-Taneem)
The miqaat where Aisha entered ihram — and where you likely will too
Ain Zubaida (Canal of Zubaida)
Trace the 38 km water channel that a queen built to save Makkah's pilgrims
Jabal Thawr Cultural District
A new cultural district at the base of Jabal Thawr — historic market, gardens, and the gateway to Ghar Thawr