The Ultimate St Catherine Hike and How to Prepare for It

Sinai is Egypt’s ultimate destination for adventure travel, especially St. Catherine, if hiking is your cup of tea. The mountainous desert town is home to Egypt’s highest summits and offers a diverse range of landscapes, ranging from vast and rugged valleys to narrow, winding canyons. That’s why, in our opinion, the best St Catherine Hike is one that takes you through all kinds of gems and landscapes the town has to offer. Read along to learn more about our very own “Trekking in Sinai: St. Catherine Trails” multi-day trek.

About the Ultimate St Catherine Hike

A hiker standing on one of the majestic mountains of Saint Catherine | St Catherine Hike | © Sinai Hikes.

This challenging St Catherine Hike is a multi-day adventure that’ll take you through Egypt’s most stunning and historically significant landscapes. As you venture into the Sinai desert, you’ll get to explore rugged mountain ranges, boulder-strewn wadis, and ancient trails. Not just that, but you’ll also get a closer look at the Bedouin way of life of the Jebeliya tribe, as well as St. Catherine’s rich heritage and history.

• Difficulty Level: Hard

Given this St Catherine Hike’s duration and the advanced trails included in the itinerary, it’s most suitable for advanced hikers and frequent trekkers. If you’re an intermediate hiker who’s up for a challenge, with some extra preparation and a training plan, you can attempt this multi-day trek. However, if you’re an absolute beginner, we don’t advise you to go on this St Catherine Hike–we recommend you start with easy one-day hikes.

Bedouin guide overlooking Mount Umm Shomat from the Bab El-Donia trail | St Catherine Hike | © Sinai Hikes.

• Duration and Distance Covered

The distance covered in this St Catherine Hike is approximately 117 KM, with an ascent ranging from 7,960 to 7,989 meters. The hike reaches a maximum elevation of 2,642 meters and a minimum elevation of 1,100 meters.

That said, the multi-day trek may take up to 13 days, depending on the group’s fitness level, pace, and, of course, weather conditions.

• Trail Highlights

1. Mount Sinai (2,285 m)
2. Mount Catherine (2,642 m)
3. Mount El Ahmar (2,318 m)
4. Mount Abbas Basha (2,383 m)
5. The Black Peaks (2,150 m)
6. El Galt El Azraq natural pool (1,550 m)
7. Mount Na’aga (1,846 m)
8. Wadi El Furai (1,600 m)
9. Mount El Banat (1,780 m)
10. Sheikh Awad Village (1,200 m)
11. Saint Catherine Monastery (1,570 m)

Interested in this St Catherine Hike? View the full itinerary here.

How to Prepare for This St Catherine Hike

Hiker ascending Mount Catherine with a Bedouin guide via Wadi Ahmar | St Catherine Hike | © Sinai Hikes.

• Physical Preparation

As this is an advanced hike, it requires training and physical preparation. Here are a few things to focus on in the weeks leading up to this epic St Catherine Hike:

1. Cardio training to increase stamina: e.g., brisk walking, running, cycling, or swimming.
2. Strength training: aim for leg workouts such as lunges and squats to manage steep ascents; core exercises to work on improving your balance and stability; and upper body training to help with carrying your backpack’s weight.
3. Go on nearby practice hikes with elevation (if possible) to prepare yourself for the real thing. This will also help with acclimatization and altitude training.
4. Include stair climbing in your training to prep for ascents.
5. Train with a weighted backpack to get used to carrying your gear while hiking.

Hikers gathered around a morning campfire sharing breakfast in the highlands of Sinai | St Catherine Hike | © Sinai Hikes.

• Packing Essentials

Clothing and Footwear

1. Sturdy hiking shoes/boots
2. Slipper or sandal for the night
3. Hiking shorts/pants
4. Drifit shirts
5. Thermals (if hiking in cold weather)
6. Fleece jacket
7. Down jacket
8. Waterproof windbreaker
9. Merino wool socks

Gear and Accessories

1. Hiking poles
2. First-aid kit
3. Head torch
4. Sleeping bag
5. Sleeping mat
6. Tent
7. Hiking day pack (20 – 30L)
8. Soft overnight duffel bag or backpack (max 15 KG)
9. Sun hat
10. Sun glasses
11. Sunscreen
12. Sanitary supplies and toiletries
13. Power bank/solar charger

Food and Hydration

1. Water bottles (2L) or hydration bladder
2. Hydration sachets
3. Snacks like nuts and energy bars

• Best Time to Go

Sinai’s weather is hot and sunny during the day and ranges from pleasant to cold in the evenings. That’s why the best times to go on this St. Catherine hike are spring and fall months. However, we also run it in winter, with a possibility of slightly changing the itinerary to adapt to weather conditions. If you opt for traveling in colder months like December or January, packing appropriately is highly crucial to your safety and to the success of your hike.

Essential Hiking Safety Tips

Snow-covered Mount Sinai in the quiet stillness of morning | St Catherine Hike | © Sinai Hikes.

Safety must always be your top priority when hiking. That’s why we highly recommend you give our hiking safety guide a read in advance, for the most essential safety tips to practice before and during the St Catherine Hike. 

Booking Your St Catherine Hike With Sinai Hikes

Why Sinai Hikes?

The Sinai Hikes team is comprised of local Bedouin experts who know the St. Catherine trails like no other. They’re committed to offering adventure travelers like you a culturally immersive outdoor experience, while empowering the local community and preserving St. Catherine’s unrivalled natural beauty.

Overlooking Saint Catherine city from the heights of Mount Sefsafa | St Catherine Hike | © Sinai Hikes.

What’s Included?

• An expert Bedouin guide
• Porterage: This is a supported hike, meaning camels are provided to carry your overnight luggage and camping gear. You will also need to carry personal items and hiking essentials like snacks and water in your day pack.
• Campsites
• 3 meals/day
• Some equipment, such as cooking utensils
• Transportation to and from St. Catherine
• One-night accommodation in a camp

P.S. The price of the trip does not include tipping, bottled water, personal expenses, personal camping gear, or anything not mentioned in the program.

How to Book St Catherine Hike?

Bedouin guide explaining local herbs to a group of hikers in the mountains of Saint Catherine | St Catherine Hike | © Sinai Hikes.

To book the “Trekking in Sinai: St. Catherine Trails” hike, get in touch with Sinai Hikes here, or you can message them via WhatsApp right away. Just make sure you specify which St Catherine Hike you’re interested in booking.

Final Thoughts About St Catherine hike

The ultimate St Catherine Hike is more than just a multi-day trek–it’s an immersive adventure through Egypt’s most scenic landscapes, a mental and physical test, and a deep dive into Sinai’s rich history. If you’re ready to push your limits and you’re up to the challenge, book the “Trekking in Sinai: St. Catherine Trails” and start prepping for it.