A caravan route leading east from Ashkelon and Tel Ashdod toward the interior highlands, passing through Ein Gedi before climbing into the hill country. This road sees less traffic than the coastal routes but is vital for trade with interior settlements.
The Hill Road begins as a gentle track through farmland but gradually climbs into rougher terrain. The landscape transitions from coastal plains to rolling hills to increasingly rugged highlands. Water becomes scarcer, making settlements like Ein Gedi crucial rest stops.
Merchants use this route to bring coastal goods (fish, salt, foreign luxuries) to interior settlements, returning with products of the hill country (wool, hides, livestock, sometimes metals). The journey requires careful planning, as water sources are limited.
The Hill Road feels remote and sometimes dangerous compared to the busy coastal routes. Travelers are advised to go in groups and to hire local guides who know the safe paths and water sources.