Mt Catherine Hike the Roof of Egypt

Mt Catherine hike, or Gabal Katrīna, is located in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, in Saint Catherine City, near Mount Sinai. They are separated by Wadi al-Arbaeen and the Monastery of the Forty Martyrs. It is 3 hours from Sharm El-Sheikh, 1.5 hours from Dahab, and 6 hours from Cairo.

Mount Catherine is the highest mount in Egypt, and it is also where the remains of Saint Catherine were discovered. The distance from Saint Catherine City to the top of Mount Catherine is 10.5 km, with zigzagging and rocky trails along the Shaq Mousa trail. The best time to do Mt Catherine hike is early in the morning for a day hike.

The height of Mount Catherine is 2,642 meters above sea level, while the height of Saint Catherine City is 1,570 meters above sea level. That’s what makes Mount Catherine Egypt hike truly worth it.

You can choose between a day hike or a sunrise hike

Hard

Up to

2 Stops

Up to

21.3 KM

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Highlights of Mt Catherine hike

Mt Catherine hike in the morning

The highest point in Egypt

Sunrise from mount catherine egypt hike

Breathtaking scenery

Mt Catherine hike trail

Wadi Ahmar trail

Itinerary Details

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 Pick-up point in Saint Catherine City

We will help you to get a driver will pick you up and transport you in comfortable cars with highly experienced drivers on the roads of Sinai, next to St. Catherine City where is the meeting point to start Mt Catherine hike.

 Meeting and starting point next to Fox camp

You will meet and get to know your local Bedouin guide in who will lead your private hike to the top of Mount Catherine the highest point in Egypt.

 Hike 5-6 hours to Mt Catherine summit

You will start ascending the mountain after completing the trip registration with the Bedouin guide. The road is divided into a path of 4 km from Saint Catherine City to forty martyrs Monastery, then 4 km through Shaq Mousa up, it’s zigzag rocky trail and then a 2.5 Km zigzag path to the top of the mountain.

 Enjoy the stunning views and meal

You will enjoy watching the picturesque, breathtaking view from the roof of Egypt at a height of 2642m, and we will enjoy a nice meal at the top or at some point in the trail. After that, you will begin to descend another trail around 10 Km to reach St. Catherine’s city again. We could choose between a boulder and a jumping trail or a rocky trail on the way down.

 Back to the hotel

You will find your driver waiting for you to go back to the hotel again after Mt Catherine hike.

Trail Map of Mt Catherine hike

Trail Map of Mt Catherine hike, Mount Catherine Map

Elevation Profile

Elevation of Mount Catherine trail
Distance

21.27 km

Ascent

1714(-1622) m

Max Elevation

2642 m

Min Elevation

1533 m

The Price Inclouds

Expert Bedouin Guide by Sinahikes Company Expert Bedouin Guide

A professional bedouin guide knows the wilderness like the back of his hand to help you have a special trip

Transfer to Saint Catherine City & back Transfer to Saint Catherine City & back

We will help you to find the best transportation to Saint Catherine city

Saint Catherine city entrance tickets

Saint Catherine reserve entrance tickets

Bottled water on the hike

Mineral water

3 Meals Per Day by Sinai hikes Company Bedouin meal

Bedouin traditional meal cooked with love up the firewood

The Price Doesn’t Includes

Tipping for Escorts

Tipping according to your personal preference around 12.5% from the trip price

Personal Expenses

You can spend some of these expenses on buying local gifts, such as handicrafts and local products

Any extras not mentioned in the program

Example snacks and gifts

What To Expect

HIKING

You don’t need to be an expert hiker to join Mt Catherine hike, but you do need to be fit enough to hike for at least 8-9 hours. You need to have some mountains experience, you will walk through a nice mountain path, rocky trails, and boulders, and you will sometimes see breathtaking scenery and dramatic high mountains. We will rise to 1000 metres and descend again in one day.

Weather of Mount Catherine Egypt hike

Saint Catherine’s unique weather is due to its 1570-metre-high mountains and valleys. The best time to enjoy Mount Catherine Egypt hike is in spring and autumn, when the daytime temperatures are lower and more pleasant for hiking  (usually ranging from 15 to 27 °C). But we run a lot of other hikes during the winter and summer with prepared visitors. Winter nights and mornings can be really cold. Rains at this time of the year are very likely to happen. So it’s a key point to be prepared for cold weather and have waterproof layers because rain is expected, but a good jacket is good for your safety. Accurate data is crucial for understanding the weather conditions as the trip date approaches. We will be able to gather information about the weather conditions that we are going to face. We’ve got to be well prepared for all conditions—the hot weather and the cold weather—with the right clothes and good equipment.

What to Bring

Battery charger or Solar charger
Battery charger or Solar charger
Energy bars, nuts and snacks
Energy bars, nuts and snacks
Extra cash
Extra cash
head torch
head torch
Hiking day-pack (20-30 litres)
Hiking day-pack (20-30 litres)
Hiking Pants waterproof
Hiking Pants waterproof
Hiking poles
Hiking poles
Hiking shoes
Hiking shoes
Passport
Passport
Sun hat
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sunscreen
Thermal shirt
Thermal shirt
Warm Jacket waterproof
Warm Jacket waterproof
Personal first aid kit
Personal first aid kit

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difficulty level of the Mt Catherine hike, and what level of fitness is required? keyboard_arrow_down

The difficulty of Mount St. Catherine hike is considered moderate to challenging, and it requires good physical fitness. Hikers should be able to walk in the mountains for 8 to 10 hours.

What are the key highlights and views from the summit of Mount St. Catherine? keyboard_arrow_down

Highlights of Mount St. Catherine include views of the Gulf of Suez in the Red Sea if the weather is clear, as well as the lights of Sharm El Sheikh and Tor-Sinai at night. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Sinai Mountains and the Red Sea Mountains, and catch sight of the Mount Ahmar of Mount Moses and Mount Umm Shomar.

What should I pack and prepare for hiking to the highest peak in Egypt? keyboard_arrow_down

For hiking to the highest peak in Egypt, you should pack a battery charger, energy bars, nuts and snacks, extra cash, a head torch, a hiking day-pack (20-30 liters), waterproof hiking pants, hiking poles, hiking shoes, a first aid kit, your passport, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a thermal shirt, and a waterproof warm jacket. In winter, add fleece liners, thermal gloves, and winter boots if you're hiking in colder months.

Are there guided tours or Bedouin escorts available for the hike, and what does the experience include? keyboard_arrow_down

Guided tours in Sinai, Egypt, with Bedouin trekking companions are available and always include a guide, camel guides, three meals a day, camels to carry luggage between the parks and camping grounds, trip registration, and internal transfers.