The highest mountains in the MENA region often rise above arid lowlands, offering cooler climates, distinct biodiversity, and spiritual significance, all while being important to the region’s ecology and water cycles. Below is a list of the region’s highest mountain areas, ranked by elevation.
High Atlas Mountains, Morocco
- Highest Peak: Jbel Toubkal
- Elevation: 4,167 meters
- Facts: The High Atlas is deeply tied to Amazigh culture. Jbel Toubkal, which is the highest peak in North Africa, is considered a sacred site, with local legends suggesting it was home to ancient spirits.
Sarawat Mountains, Yemen
- Highest Peak: Jabal An-Nabi Shu’ayb
- Elevation: 3,666 meters
- Facts: Named after the Islamic prophet Shu’ayb, the mountain is believed to house his tomb.
Qurnat as Sawda’, Lebanon
- Elevation: 3,088 meters (10,131 ft)
- Facts: The tallest peak in Lebanon, its name means “Black Peak.” Studies have shown that snowmelt from the Mount Lebanon range, which includes Qurnat as Sawda’, contributes to the spring and river discharges in the region. The peak’s shadow is home to Lebanon’s famous cedars.
Jabal al Akhdar, Oman
- Elevation: 3,018 meters (9,902 ft)
- Facts: Known for terraced farms, pomegranate orchards, and a cooler climate that sets it apart from Oman’s desert lowlands. During the mid and late 1950s the area was the focal point of a war between Omani forces, supported by Britain, and interior tribes seeking autonomy. Local folklore speaks of two jinn sisters—one who built protective walls and another who crafted ancient irrigation systems.
Asir Mountains, Saudi Arabia
- Highest Peak: Jabal Sawda (Jabal Soudah)
- Elevation: 3,015 meters (9,893 ft)
- Facts: The Asir region is home to the Asiri people, known for their vibrant mud houses and Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art (UNESCO-listed).
Notable Mentions:
Mount Catherine (Gabal Katrîne), Egypt
- Elevation: 2,642 meters (8,668 ft)
- Facts: Egypt’s tallest peak, located in South Sinai. Offers panoramic views and snow in winter. Located near Mount Catherine is Saint Catherine’s Monastery, which is built on the site traditionally believed to be where Moses saw the Burning Bush, and is considered the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world.
Mount Hermon, Syria/Lebanon
- Elevation: 2,814 meters (9,232 ft)
- Facts: Straddling the Syria-Lebanon border in the Anti-Lebanon range. Revered in ancient texts and home to varied biodiversity. Politically sensitive but ecologically significant. Mount Hermon was the site of many rural sanctuaries, tombs, and communities throughout the Roman era. Inscriptions found on the mountain show that local cults and religious practices once existed there.
These mountains are archives of ancient stories, havens of biodiversity, and guardians of culture. Each summit reflects the resilience and richness of the lands it rises from. And regional initiatives increasingly recognize their value for tourism, heritage, and climate resilience.
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