Hiking and trails in South Sinai – Egypt

What is Hiking?

Hiking is a term used for a long walk in nature whether it be in mountains, valleys, forests, or other forms. Additionally, Scouts classify a hike as a walk of 3.2 KM (2 miles) per hour on a flat land & 0.30 KM (1000 Ft) per hour for elevation climb while backpacking & it is based on pre existing trails or footprints.

Why Do People Hike?

There are many reasons behind hiking as it varies from a person to another, as well as, from a place to another; here are some of the reasons:

• Health benefits: Raises stamina, fitness levels, strength & cardiovascular health.
• Meditation: Enables one to enjoy the sound of silence away from cities, noise & pollution.
• Stress relief: Surrounded by nature, the mountain is a great place to escape the stress invoking circumstances of daily.
• Spiritual & self-discovery: Purify your soul, mind, and emotions in the tranquil surrounding of the mountains.
• The challenge: Complete a hike accomplished, gaining survival skills, a better mentality, and the physical achievement of reaching the peak.

What do you Need for Hiking in Sinai?

•  Appropriate sports shoes or hiking boots
• strong & comfortable backpack with back-line support
• night torch (preferably with head strap & batteries + spare)
• travel water bottles (or preferably 3-liter water sacks)
• safety items (ie. whistle, lighter + spare)
• sleeping bag that suited for the conditions of the hike
• personal cutlery and a knife
• waterproof jacket and covers
• basic first aid kit
• sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, extra socks, appropriate clothing.

Where Does TGTN Hike?

Sinai is a vast region of mountains, abandoned shores, wide valleys and narrow canyons with endless trails and summits to explore.

WE SPECIFICALLY CHOSE A FEW PLACES THAT FIT EVERYONE’S INTEREST IN SINAI INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING.

Dahab:

Wadi Gunai: A valley located in the South of Dahab whose entrance is located on the main road with a breathtaking panoramic view above the city. The valley itself is famous for the existence of two natural oases where we usually camp.

• Duration of the hike: 2 days / 1 night
• Difficulty: Easy-medium
• Walking hours: 2.5 hours in each direction
• Transportation accessibility: 4×4 will take you to the bottom of the oasis.

Gabr El Bint: A straight shore hike starting from the southern point of Dahab. Gabr El Bint lies 12km to the south of the caves area. Part of Nabq protected area, this hike is famous for its untouched beautiful reefs and sparkling sunrise.

• Duration: 2 days / 1 night
• Difficulty: Medium
• Walking hours: 4 hours in each direction
• Transportation accessibility: Only camels can reach Gabr El Bint from the caves area

Ras Abu Galloum: A natural protected area located 9km north of Dahab. There are 2 options for hiking Ras Abu Galloum:

1- Shore Hike: Beginning at the Blue hole in Dahab to the Ras Abu Galloum Bedouin village is a straight hike onshore that takes a maximum of 2 hours to trek the distance of 9km through the rocky terrain. Surround yourself between mountains on your left and the Red Sea’s crystal water on the right.

• Duration: 1 day and can be extended with camping based on your desires
• Difficulty: Medium
• Walking hours: 2 hours in each direction
• Transportation accessibility: Only camels can reach Ras Abu Galloum from the Blue Hole in Dahab

2- Mountain hike: Start at Ras Abu Galloum. Thi hike consists of a wide valley with many routes to choose from in order to reach different locations with different topographies.

The special valleys you can visit or camp in are Wadi Beer Hadba, Wadi beer Oqda, Wadi Sa`yer, and Lebba Canyon. From Wadi Sa`yer, you can reach the Dahab/Nuweiba highway and from Lebba Canyon you can reach Dahab.

• Duration: 1 night to 8 nights
• Difficulty: Medium to very hard
• Walking hours: starting from 4 hours to whatever you can take
• Transportation accessibility: Only camels can reach almost everywhere, cars can reach up to 20% of the activity

Nuweiba:

Wadi Gazala & around: Wadi Gazala contains a natural oasis surrounded by a variety of canyons, and it is considered the gate for Taba protected area on the west. The canyons we recommend are (Closed Canyon, White Canyon, Magaza canyon & Weshwash canyon) and the night camp is done in Wadi Gazala.

• Duration: 2 days / 1 night
• Difficulty: Easy-Medium
• Walking hours: 4 – 5 each day.
• Transportation accessibility: 4×4 support in some area (not through the canyons)

Coloured Canyon and around: The colored canyon is considered the king of all of the other canyons due to its magnificent colours, the shapes of the rocks, the size of the canyon, and the way to reach it.

A hike can start from Ras Shaitan north of Nuweiba, through Wadi El Malha passing by Wadi El Weshwashi with its natural pool which is great for cliff jumping, EL Malha oasis, Wadi El fre`a with its white sand and wide formation, Jebel EL Mo`taresha which is the highest summit in Nuweiba 725 meters altitude and Jebel El Kuhla which is hard to cross but satisfying.

• Duration: 2 to 3 days
• Difficulty: Hard / Very Hard
• Walking hours: 6 – 8 each day.
• Transportation accessibility: 4×4 support in some area (not through the canyons)

St. Catherine:

*Disclaimer: Hiking St. Catherine requires physically and mentally fit hikers with an average+ level of fitness

Mount Sinai: Where Moses has received the 10 Commandments! Mt.Moses is very accessible from the town of St. Catherine. The peak of the summit lies 2,285m above sea level with different routes from the town to the peak.

The first route consists of 3,750 steps called the Steps of Repentance beginning at the St. Catherine Monastery

The second route is a back trail that we recommend for its beautiful sceneries and chilly walk passing Sefsafa Valley, then climbing through Sefsafa mountain to reach Farsh El Looz. Farsh Illya will then take the last 750 Stairs of Repentance to reach the summit.

Mount Catherine: Also called the Roof of Egypt, Catherine is the highest summit of Egypt at 2,545 meters above sea level. To reach the summit, you will pass Wadi El Arb`een after hiking 1-2 hours from the town. Mt. Catherine and be very challenging, yet, this is truly a life-changing experience.

This trail is an absolutely recommended Hike: find more info to get it done from here: https://sinaigate.com/services/catherine-upside-roof-egypt/

Wadi Ahmar: Ahmar means “red” in Arabic, well suited for describing this trail’s red, rocky formation. One of the most beautiful trails in Sinai, Wadi Ahmar is full of caves, special rocks,

During the rainy seasons, you will be able to watch running water fountains and springs that serve as a great activity for wildlife. This trail is accessible on your descent from Mt Catherine, or from Wadi El Arb`en by climbing Jebel Ahmar, where it leads you into the valley.

Wadi El Shag: Shag is an Arabic word that means crack, which describes this freshwater spring coming from a depth of 400+ meters. Accessible from Wadi Ahmar, Wadi Tal`a and Wadi Abu Jeffa.

Wadi Tal`a: One of the entrances and exits that links the mountains with the town of St. Catherine, Known for its big rocks with small narrow passages that you have to take to cross through the Wadi, organic gardens owned by locals, It is full of fruits during July until the beginning of September.

Wadi Jeffa: An extension of Wadi Tal`a with similar topography.

Jebal Abbas: Its name refers to Abbas II Hilmi Bey, the last Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, ruling from 1892 to 1914. He chose this mountain to build a castle in which he died before its completion. The remains of the castle have become ruins, popular for hikers due to its history and panoramic view of St. Catherine.

Wadi Jebal: A remote wadi which has been lightly treaded due to its challenging nature, requiring 3 days of hiking from St. Catherine with no accommodation along the way. Wadi Jebal is best to visit after a rainy season, allowing you to refill your water bottles from the natural springs, fountains, and wells. There are many opportunities along this trail to pass gazelles and other wildlife along the way.

PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR HIKING BOOKING REQUESTS TO FIND THE BEST TRAIL THAT FITS YOUR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS