Hiking Masada: Spectacular Masada Sunrise Hike

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Hiking Masada at sunrise is a spectacular experience that should not be missed in Israel. 

Hiking Masada in Sunrise

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Climbing Masada at sunrise awards hikers with the most breathtaking moments and jaw-dropping landscapes in Israel.

Hiking Masada for sunrise is one of the best day trips from Jerusalem and the best day trips from Tel Aviv you can treat yourself in Israel.

Sunrise at Masada is almost a mystical experience.

Places like Masada provoke deep thoughts. And, moments like sunrise at Masada challenge you with self-reflection questions.

Watching the Dead Sea giving birth to the sun of a new day from a mountaintop in the barren Judean desert looks otherworldly. And the change of the colors of the landscapes as the sun rises looks like magic that transforms the panoramic Masada views into unnatural beauty.

But let me first make a short introduction to Masada, Mount Masada, Masada fortress, and the famous Masada story to understand the geographical position, historical background, and, finally and most importantly, the meaning of Masada to Israelis and humanity in general.

I hiked Masada on my trip to Israel. If you would like to tailor your trip according to mine, I suggest reading my 10 Day Israel Itinerary 

Masada day tours from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv:

Viator: Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Jerusalem, and Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Tel Aviv

GetYourGuide: Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea Day Trip from Jerusalem, and Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea Day Trip from Tel Aviv  

1. What is Masada

Masada is a fortress on a huge isolated mountain plateau in the Judean desert in Israel facing the Dead Sea and the Moab mountains in Jordan.

‘Masada‘ in the Hebrew language literally means ‘fortress‘.

But Masada is more than a fortress. Masada is a symbol of Jewish freedom. And not only Jewish, but Masada is also a universal symbol of the human fight against oppression.

The story of Masada begins with Herod the Great who built the fortress on an isolated hilltop in the Desert of Judea around 30 BC. Herod the Great was the king of Judaea from  37 BC – 4 BC. Later Judea became a Roman province and the place of many Jewish – Roman unrests. But the secluded location of Masada gave a strategic position and peaceful shelter to many Jews.

In Herod’s time, the Masada complex had palaces (the Northern and Western Palaces), a storeroom, a synagogue, a bathhouse, and a swimming pool. 

Masada’s water supply was managed by a system of aqueducts and cisterns with water storage that had the capacity of supplying 1.000 people for 2-3 years. As a matter of fact, the complex was an extravagant imperial retreat in the arid and desolated Judean desert.

In 73 AD 960 Jewish patriots committed mass suicide during the Masada siege as a rebel against Rome.

They have chosen death instead of slavery. Over time Masada has become a symbol of Jewish pride and hope.

Today Masada is a UNESCO site in Israel. 2001 UNESCO inscribed Masada on the list of World Heritage sites as a universal symbol of the human fight against oppression. 

Clearly, Masada has become a top tourist attraction in Israel. And Masada hiking is one of the top things to do in Israel. Whatever you are: a nature lover who enjoys scenic views, a history aficionado, or a hiker … in any case, a Masada visit should be on your Israel itinerary.

2. Where is Masada

Masada from Jerusalem: 61 mi (98 km); 1 h 40 min
Masada from Tel Aviv: 99 mi (160 km); 2 h 20 min
Masada from Eliat: 137 mim (220 km); 2 h 25 min

3. Masada story

Masada became the headquarter of Jewish rebels against Romans in 66 AD during the Great Jewish Revolt against Romans. Hundreds of Jews escaped from Jerusalem to Masada in 70 AD, during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem.

In 73 AD historic siege of Masada happened. 8.000 Roman troops attacked the fortress. When the conquer of the fortress was about to happen, Jews decided to kill themselves instead of getting into the hands of the conqueror. They divided themselves into groups of 10 people. One of 10 was chosen to kill the other 9 and kill themselves in the end. But how they were killed? They were slaughtered. According to ancient Jewish law, suicide was a sin. Therefore, only 1 of 10 was allowed to make the sin in order to ‘free’ the other 9 of the sin.

960 people at Masada have chosen death instead of slavery. They left all the food behind them as evidence they have not done it because of necessity but rather as a choice.

The act of Jewish Zealots is praised as an act of heroism, agony, and bravery. Today Masada is a place of Jewish pilgrimage. Masada symbolizes the end of the Kingdom of Judea.

RELATED READ: Holy sites in Israel and the West Bank 

The Masada complex was forgotten for its remote location in the Judean Desert for the next 13 centuries. It was rediscovered in the late 19th century.

4. Hiking Masada

The best time to hike Masada to enjoy the sublime beauty of Masada landscapes is at sunrise. I have hiked Masada at sunrise and I would recommend Masada hike for sunrise to all! Masada in Sunrise is out of this world.

But actually when and which way you will choose to get to the top of Masada depends on your preferences, the schedule on your Israel itinerary, and your personal fitness level.

I did my Masada hike in late October and went for a sunrise. The sunrise started around 5: 30 am. October is a perfect month for visiting Israel. The summer heat is gone, and the rains have not started yet. Of course, it was an ideal time to hike Masada as well. I have visited Masada on my own, reaching Masada from the west entrance and coming by car from Jerusalem. I have hiked the Roman Ramp and can highly recommend it to everyone.

There are 2 ways of hiking up, but 3 ways of getting up to the top of Masada:

Hiking Masada by the Snake Path

Masada Snake Path goes on the east side of Mt Masada. You need to come to the main, east Masada entrance to take the Masada Snake trail. A hike up by Masada Snake Path takes about 60 min on average. The hike down lasts about 40-50 min. Masada National Park officially opens 1 hour before sunrise. It means that you can start climbing the Snake Path one hour before sunrise. In summer the path usually closes around 10 am because of the summer heat of the desert. The Snake Path starts at 400 m below sea level reaching the Masada fortress which stands at 58 m above sea level. The Path is about a 2 km long mix of wavy hills and staircases. Hiking Masada by the Snake Path is actually a moderate hike, but it can be hard if you hike it in summer because of the heat.

Hiking Masada by the Roman Ramp

Masada Roman Ramp goes on the west side of the mountain. It is the shorter and steeper way up. It is the original ramp made by the Romans during the Siege of Masada. Hiking Masada by the Roman Ramp takes about 30 min to the top. Roman Ramp Masada is the fastest way to hike Masada. There’s a parking lot at the foot of the mountain and next to the beginning of Masada Roman Ramp, but driving the route from the Dead Sea side to this west entrance is quite a long and roundabout route.

Getting to the top of Masada by cable car

The cable car runs on the east side of the mountain and above the Snake Path. It goes from the main eastern entrance. A ride to the top of Masada takes only 5 min and the cable car leaves every 15 min. Working hours of the cable car are from 8 am – 4 pm from Sunday to Saturday. Unfortunately, because it starts running at 8 am you can’t use it for the sunrise at Masada. A one-way cable car ticket costs 29 NIS.

5. Tips for hiking Masada

Here’s a checklist of the items for hiking Masada. Some of them are necessary and some are beneficial depending on the season you climb Masada (winter or summer):

• check the sunrise time and Masada weather forecast

• wear good hiking shoes (sneakers or athletic sandals in summer)
  Recommended women’s hiking shoes: Salomon Trail Runner and Salomon Trail Runner & Recommended men’s hiking shoes: Solomon Lightweight Hiking Shoe

RELATED: 15 Top Womens’ Hiking Boots

• wear a comfortable outdoor outfit 
• and bring a flashlight – if you hike for sunrise, keep in mind it’s going to be dark before Masada sunrise
• take with you a bottle of water – if you do your Masada climb in summer, keeping yourself hydrated is essential. Please note that you can refill the bottle at the top
• put sunscreen on your face and wear a hat – protect yourself if you hike in summer. The desert heat in summer can be extraordinarily strong.
• bring a jacket  – for hikes to Masada in winter you should bear in mind that the top can be windy; dress in layers taking into account the temperatures
• have some snacks with you – a muesli bar, fresh or dried fruit. Yes, you will need them. Hiking takes energy. And, if you go for a Masada sunrise hike from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem you will get up pretty early (around 1 am-2 am) and most likely will need to have some snacks.
• take a camera – to take spectacular Masada photos on your Masada trip. Nikon D3500 does great work
• take good binoculars like Bushnell Falcon Binoculars – you will enjoy Masada landscapes!
• put all your stuff in a good quality daypack like Osprey Day Pack

6. Getting to Masada

There are two options to get to Masada: on your own by car or taking one of the popular tours to Masada.

Getting to Masada on your own  

If you are planning to visit Masada on your own, you should know that the nearest places to Masada are Arad, Ein Gedi, and Ein Bokek. Masada NP is about 12 miles (20 km) north of Arad, 11 miles (18 km) south of Ein Gedi, and 7 miles (12 km) south of Ein Bokek.

West Masada entrance and Roman Masada Ramp are reachable from Arad. Eastside of Masada, where is the main entrance and the Snake Path, is reachable from Ein Bokek and Ein Gedi.

Masada is 118 miles (190 km) southeast of Tel Aviv and 65 miles (104 km) south of Jerusalem.

Getting to Masada by sunrise Masada tours

Popular Masada sunrise tours go from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Masada sunrise tours usually leave Tel Aviv at 2 am (3 am in winter) and Jerusalem at 3 am (at 4 am in winter) and arrive at the foot of Masada at 5:30 am (6.30 am in winter). The tours allow 3 hours on the site on average. After visiting Masada the tours often go to the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi to spend the rest of the day.

Sunrise Masada tours:

Viator: the Dead Sea, Masada at Sunrise & Ein Gedi Nature Reserve Tour from Jerusalem

GetYourGuide:Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea Day Trip from Jerusalem and Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea Day Trip from Tel Aviv  

I didn’t take a tour. I did my Masada hike on my own, and I also went to the Dead Sea after hiking Masada. It is nice to float in the Dead Sea, treat yourself to the healing water of the Dead Sea, and nurse your body with the therapeutic mud of the Dead Sea after a sunrise hike to Masada.

7. Masada fees

NP Masada entrance fee: 28 NIS  

Masada entrance fees

• the main eastern entrance from the Dead Sea + 2-way cable car: 76 NIS (adult), 44 NIS (children, Israeli citizens)
• the main eastern entrance from the Dead Sea + 1-way cable car: 58 NIS (adult), 30 NIS (children, Israeli citizens)
•  1-way cable car: 29 NIS (adult), 15 NIS (children, Israeli citizens)
• 2-way cable car: 47 NIS (adult), 29 NIS (children, Israeli citizens)
• the main eastern entrance  + climbing the Snake Path: 29 NIS (adult), 15 NIS (children, Israeli citizens) 

NP Masada opening hours: 5:30 am 

8. Best time to visit Masada

Israel has two seasons: summer and winter.

Summer in Israel lasts from April to September, while winter in Israel lasts from October to March.

Winter daily temperatures at Masada go from 10ºC, the lowest temperature in October, to 25ºC, the highest temperature in March. Summer daily temperatures at Masada go from 18ºC, the lowest temperature in April, to 37º C, the highest temperature in September.

I visited Israel in October and hiked Masada in a late October sunrise.

It was a perfect time to visit Israel and hike Masada. Daily temperatures in October in Israel were around  77ºF (25ºC) in most of the country, but still very hot in the Dead Sea area. The sunrise temperature at Masada was about 70ºF (21ºC).

Masada hours

• NP Masada visiting hours:

8 am – 5 pm Sat -Thu; 8 am – 4 pm Fri  (April – Sep)

8 am – 4 pm Sat – Thu; 8 am – 3 pm Fri (Oct-Mar)

• Cable car hours: 8 am – 4 pm (Sat – Thu), 8 am – 2 pm (Fri)

Masada National Park is open on Shabbat. Keep in mind that on Shabbat most things are closed in Israel. The Shabbat lasts from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Therefore, depending on your Israel itinerary, I would suggest scheduling a sunrise hike to Masada on Saturday morning.

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Milijana

Author at World Travel Connector

Milijana is an independent female solo traveler from Croatia. She enjoys nature, history, art, culture, and spiritual pursuits. Milijana is a foodie who enjoys sampling cultural food around the world, and a hiking enthusiast who did numerous trail around the globe. She greeted sunrise from the top of Mount Sinai in Egypt after a night hike and said hello to the Atlantic Ocean from Finisterre in Spain on one-month-long hike. However, she is not reluctant to rent a car and embark on a spectacular road trip. She believes that some scenic destinations like Tuscany in Italy and Andalucia in Spain are best enjoyed by car.

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