The Mountain Trails
The unique desert ecosystem of the Sinai mountains creates the perfect conditions for long hikes and exploration under expert guidance. Some trails can be completed in hours, while others can take days with overnight camping. The option of camel rides on some trails is available to break up the long walks. Regardless of the option you choose, make sure you stop for some traditional Bedouin tea and stories along the way.
Don’t forget to check with your tour operator, hotel, or licensed guides to make sure the desert excursion or mountain adventure you are planning is open for visitors.
From the summits of these mountains, climbers can take in expansive views of the surrounding landscape, the Gulf of Aqaba, the stretch of land from northwest to Southern Sinai, and Ras Muhammad near Sharm al-Sheikh.
The unique desert ecosystem of the Sinai mountains creates the perfect conditions for long hikes and exploration under expert guidance. Some trails can be completed in hours, while others can take days with overnight camping. The option of camel rides on some trails is available to break up the long walks. Regardless of the option you choose, make sure you stop for some traditional Bedouin tea and stories along the way.
Don’t forget to check with your tour operator, hotel, or licensed guides to make sure the desert excursion or mountain adventure you are planning is open for visitors.
From the summits of these mountains, climbers can take in expansive views of the surrounding landscape, the Gulf of Aqaba, the stretch of land from northwest to Southern Sinai, and Ras Muhammad near Sharm al-Sheikh.
Raw, untainted beauty fills the valleys of St Catherine, with plenty of narrow canyons, impressive boulders, and interesting rock formations to admire while hiking the mountain trails. Cool your feet and rest next to small springs, tiny creeks, and natural water pools. Your licensed guides will be able to point out patches of rare vegetation in Bedouin gardens, including herbs that are unique to the area. Keep your eyes open to spot wildlife, such as the world’s smallest butterfly, the Sinai Baton Blue Butterfly, or the elusive Nubian Ibex, rock hyraxes, and some wandering feral donkeys.
Raw, untainted beauty fills the valleys of St Catherine, with plenty of narrow canyons, impressive boulders, and interesting rock formations to admire while hiking the mountain trails. Cool your feet and rest next to small springs, tiny creeks, and natural water pools. Your licensed guides will be able to point out patches of rare vegetation in Bedouin gardens, including herbs that are unique to the area. Keep your eyes open to spot wildlife, such as the world’s smallest butterfly, the Sinai Baton Blue Butterfly, or the elusive Nubian Ibex, rock hyraxes, and some wandering feral donkeys.
Notable Trails
Notable Trails of THE MOUNTAIN TRAILS
Don’t Miss
Mount St Catherine
Sinai’s highest mountain, Mount St Catherine, has an ascent of 2,642 m and is a more challenging climb for the experienced, physically fit hiker. At the summit is a modest chapel, where the angels are said to have deposited St Catherine’s body.
Bab al-Donya and Gabal Bab
Enjoy freshwater springs and shallow granite pools at Bab al-Donya and Gabal Bab, two peaks with summits that give spectacular views of the lower mountain ranges. The spring of Ain Najila, located at the foot of Bab al-Donya, trickles down from the mountain into a stone fountain and pools into a creek and several shallow pools.
Wadi Tallah Kibira
Take a two-day hike through Wadi Tallah Kibira, a lush steep valley starting at Farsh al-Rumana and leading from the high mountains to lower valleys. Galt al-Azraq, the largest water pool in the Sinai mountains fed by underground streams, can be found here.
Gabal al-Banat
Gabal al-Banat is a demanding trek with a dramatic drop to the wide-open plains below. The peak offers superb views of the whole mountain range on one side and the lowlands on the other.
The famous Mount Sinai, or Gabal Musa in Arabic.
Climb a towering 2,285 m on the mountain revered as the location where Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments. This sacred mountain has two main routes up: a more strenuous and steeper trek known as The Steps of Repentance with 3,250 stone-cut steps to climb or the easier Camel Trail, a gravel switchback trail. Both meet at the last 500 stairs up to the summit.
Wadi al-Leja
A valley west of Mount Sinai that has many sacred ruins. Check out the Stone of Moses, a block of brown granite over three meters high split into two parts, said to be struck with a rod by Moses to draw water.
