As shown in the picture there are two ways to begin hiking the mountain.
Sekket El Basha which means the Pasha's path is the easy way up.
It could be ridden on a camelback for most of it. Where this camel path ends, starts another which would have to be done by foot. This is a 700 escalation steps leading straight to the top.
The other way up is entirely steps from the very bottom to the very top. Sikket Sayedna Musa which means Moses' path is 3700 Steps.
The map above is displaying the same location showing the two hiking paths beginning from the monastery.
Map Below is displaying a very realistic view of the mountain.
As shown in the below map, it is more likely to get disoriented or lost at the bottom of the mountain as there is many other tracks leading south and east. It is not very easy to get lost if you follow the key tip. There are small Bedouin kiosks on the way up. If you are hiking at the rush hour which starts from 2 to 3 hours before the sunrise you will most probably find other hikers and also will find all kiosks with their lights on. They will not be seen from far away but will be relieving to just pass by them knowing you are on the right track. I have hiked in the rush hour and totally alone. I wouldn't recommend any one more than the other. Alone is grandiose and among people you might find the nice scenery of the flash lights making a long serpent of lights along the track also who knows you might find yourself being bypassed by a camel. The key to avoid getting lost is to always take the right hand direction.
When arriving at the part where it is descending for a dozen meters, you will enter a narrow pass between two very tall walls of mountain. Right after passing through, as shown below a very hard left will take you to the start of the last phase of the mountain, the 700 steps escalade.
On the descent:
Because the uphill was done at night with poor visibility, when the sun comes up you will find views and big landmarks that were passed unnoticed. This might make you take another way down.
Don't worry; the worse case scenario would be taking the way down on the 3000 step way.
The green arrow points the way to the 3000 step way (Moses' way).
The Key for not letting this happen is to follow your right hand right after finishing the 300 steps.This is to take the Pasha's way. After taking the first right after finishing the 300 steps phase, once again pass by the narrow pass between the two tall mountain walls.
The Green Arrow shows exactly the way to take for the 3000 steps which in my opinion has actually better sight seeing and also would be walking in the shadows in many parts.
This way would require a fitter person with strong legs. It could be taken also by a normal person.The key I would recommend is not rushing the decent especially on this way. If not taken at the right pace you would be welcoming cramps, shaky knees and ankle injuries.
At the top of the mountain, a mosque and church are built right next to each other.At the western corner of the mosque is located cave where Moses lived.
