One of the holiest sites in Saudi Arabia is Jabal Al-Nour Mountain. Known as the Cave of Hira, this is the spot where Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Holy Quran.
Recently, the Kingdom found a way to make it easier for pilgrims to visit the cave. They plan to launch a cable car system to transport pilgrims from the Grand Mosque to the Cave of Hira.
The journey from Masjid Al Haram to the cave is four kilometers, and the cable car itself rises 600 meters above sea level.
Reaching Hira Before the Cable Lift
Before the cable car, visitors had to undertake a steep climb through rocky terrain to reach the Cave of Hira. Given the Kingdom’s extreme temperatures, people would typically embark on their journey in the evening or at dawn to avoid the heat.
The climb to the cave usually takes between 45 minutes to 3 hours. After ascending about 1,200 steps, you’ll reach the summit and easily recognize the cave, especially with a sign painted on a stone marking the location.
When Are We To Expect To Take A Ride?
The cable car is currently in its final stages of construction and will officially be operational by 2025. To give people a glimpse of what’s to come, a life-size model of the Cave of Hira will be installed, allowing visitors to get a closer look at what to expect.