Elijah’s Basin is a wide, open plateau just below the summit of Mount Sinai. According to tradition, this is where the Prophet Elijah hid and heard the voice of God. Today, it serves as a natural resting place before the final ascent to the summit.
Surrounded by steep granite walls, the basin offers shelter from the wind and a peaceful place to pause, reflect, or gather before sunrise. Many hikers stop here to rest after climbing the camel path, and some they choose it to camp and spend a night in it, especially if they’re continuing up the Steps of Repentance to reach the summit.
What to know:
Ideal for short breaks or group gatherings
Located just 20–30 minutes below the summit
Some camel routes end here
Often used as a safe place to wait for sunrise before climbing the last steps
Elijah’s Basin is more than a stop — it’s a place where many hikers feel the quiet, spiritual presence of Sinai.