Tilal Trail on Jabal ‘Ayr
–Tilal Neighborhood–
Trail Overview
| Location | South of Madinah, inside the city |
| Terrain | Dirt road on the side of the mountain |
| Surface Type | Dirt and some rocks |
| Difficulty Level | Easy / Moderate |
| Trail Length | Round trip: 4.2 km (2.6 miles) |
| Elevation Gain | Approx 300 meters (party way up the side of the mountain) |
| Estimated Time | 1 hour |
| Development Status | Completed (but there is construction happening in this area that may affect effect the trail) |
| Accessibility | Easily accessible by taxi. Nearby a residential neighborhood, a school and small shops |
| Seasonal Notes | May be muddy after rain. There are no lights inside the hiking area, so make sure to leave before dusk. |
Trail Description
The trail is on the side of Mount ‘Ayr and ascends part way up the mountain. When you enter this trail, you can turn to the right or the left. The trail in both directions dead-ends after less than 1 kilometer, and you return to the head of the trail on the same path.
As you ascend, you can see views of the city, and you can glimpse Masjid Al-Nabawi from the farthest Northern point of the trail.
Natural Features
This area at the foot of the mountain has some native trees and vegetation. In the spring, if there has been rain, you can see a variety of flowering plants. Many small birds species can be spotted. In the spring time, you can sometimes see herds of camels grazing under the supervision of their shepherd.
Sadly, there has been some dumping at the site and there is quite a bit of garbage, especially at the beginning of the trail.
Religious Significance
Jabal ‘Ayr marks the southern boundary of the Madinah Ḥaram (sanctuary). When hiking on the trail, you can walk up to the haram boundary markers in two locations.
Prophetic hadith about the haram boundaries:
- “The city of Madinah is a sanctuary (Haram) — from ‘Ayr to Thawr.”
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: “Indeed, Ibrahim declared Makkah sacred, and I declare Madinah sacred—what lies between its two lava fields. Its thorny trees should not be cut, and its game is not to be hunted.”
Main Rulings & Etiquettes within the Madinah Ḥaram
- ❌ No hunting or harming animals: Wild animals inside the Ḥaram cannot be killed, chased, or frightened.
- 🌿 No cutting of plants or trees: Except for minor practical uses (e.g., animal feed or broken branches).
- 🏃♀️ No carrying weapons for aggression
- ⛔ No innovations or spreading mischief: Religious corruption or harm to others is prohibited.
Misconceptions about Mount ‘Ayr
Some narrations claim Mount ‘Ayr is a “mountain of Hell” and Mount Uhud is a “mountain of Paradise.” Authentic narrations do not support this; such claims are classified as weak, very weak, or fabricated.
There is an authentic Hadith about Mount Uhud: “Uhud is a mountain that loves us and we love it.” But there is no authentic Hadith stating, “We hate ʿAyr and it hates us.”
Map & Navigation
- There is a paved walkway along the main road, and ample parking spots
Facilities & Amenities
- Parking spots
- No restrooms
- No benches/seating
- Small shops and restaurants nearby
Photo Gallery
Trail Status & Updates
construction has begun nearby the trail and its possible that the trail will be effected (posted as of Jan 2026)