The Steps of Repentance in Mt Sinai

You can’t miss the Steps of Repentance when you climb Mt Sinai (aka Moses Mountain). It’s a steep climb that would really make you think to repent all your sins – unless if you’re an atheist who’ll probably think it’s just another tourist scam. 😀

There are two authorized walking / climbing trails to Moses Mountain. On our way up there, we thread the Camel Trail early in the morning. And on our way down, we took the Steps of Repentance Trail that ended in St. Catherine’s Monastery, the world’s oldest monastery that is still occupied until today.

Related: Read my experience of climbing / hiking Mt. Sinai here to see the breathtaking sunrise, an adventure that would stay with me for a long time.

Mt. Sinai is also known as Moses Mountain. Or Jebel Musa.

It is a mountain both Muslims and Christians consider holy.

It is mentioned both in The Holy Bible and The Quran.

To reach the summit, pilgrims have two trails to choose from.

One is the Camel Trail or popularly known as the “Lazy Trail.”

It is called the "Lazy Trail" because it's not that difficult to conquer, except for the last 750 steps that you have to endure before reaching the summit. These steps are treacherous and dangerous to trek in total darkness. Read experience here. — It is called the “Lazy Trail” because it’s not that difficult to conquer, except for the last 750 steps that you have to endure before reaching the summit. These steps are treacherous and dangerous to trek in total darkness. Read experience here.

The other one is the “Steps of Repentance” which has 3,750 steps.

These steps pass over two mountains and they are physically demanding.

Mt. Sinai is also called as Moses Mountain because this is where Moses received God's Ten Commandments. — Mt. Sinai is also called as Moses Mountain because this is where Moses received God’s Ten Commandments.

The first 3,000 steps start from the southeastern part of St. Catherine Monastery and ends up to the Basin of Elijah.

Basin of Elijah Elijah's Well at Mt. Sinai — Basin of Elijah / Elijah’s Well at Mt. Sinai.

The final 750 steps are the ones you have to mount before reaching the summit.

The steps were started by a single monk in repentance of a sin he committed.

Many pilgrims climbed on this path which was built within 50 years in the 6th century.

Every pilgrim will pass through two stone arches.

The upper arch was built by Elijah and the lower arch was built by Moses which is also called the "Gate of Confession." / Right: The Byzantine Our Lady of the Steward Chapel was built to honour a miraculous event that happened here in the 6th century. — *The upper arch was built by Elijah and the lower arch was built by Moses which is also called the “Gate of Confession.”*

As you hike on these steps, the magnificent views of the mountains are truly a spiritual experience in itself.

The changing hues and landscapes are nothing but breathtaking that you had to stop and admire them on your own – in silence and in solitude.

We didn’t just enjoy the marvellous sunrise at the summit but also the incredible beauty of Mt. Sinai.

The Byzantine Our Lady of the Steward Chapel was built to honour a miraculous event that happened here in the 6th century.

The hike was physically tasking but the rewards were great!

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View of St. Catherine Monastery from the Steps of Repentance.

Whether you’re religious or spiritual or non-believer, Mt. Sinai has its own way of charming and leaving you an impression that you’d never forget too soon.

Travel Tip:
If you want to ascend and descend Mt. Sinai via the Steps of Repentance, make sure to find the right tour agency to book with. Most travel agencies choose to ascend via the Camel Trail and descend via the Steps of Repentance to make sure that everyone will finish the climb and reach the summit. There are those who mount the Steps of Repentance but had to go back due to difficulty of the climb. So, if you’re not used to physical activities, you better know what trail is good for you.

The Steps of Repentance