Hiking in Egypt’s Highland Trails
Hiking in Egypt’s Highland Trails is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the country’s untamed beauty. These routes follow ancient pilgrims’ paths and lead deep into Bedouin culture, offering experiences that go far beyond typical sightseeing. The terrain is diverse—combining climbs to Mount Sinai and Mount Catherine (Egypt’s highest summit) with hikes through the dramatic valleys of Saint Catherine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and lush mountain gardens.
Hiking Egypt’s mountain trails reveals a side of the country few travelers ever see. Hidden gems like El-Galt El-Azraq, Mount Ahmar, Mount Na’ga, and Saqar Canyon offer both natural beauty and cultural depth. These were once the seasonal homes and gardens of nomadic Bedouins—places of survival, storytelling, and tradition, rich with meaning and legends passed down for generations.
Along the way, you’ll live the authentic Bedouin way of life with the Gebaliya tribe, including cooking over a fire and sleeping under the stars, and learning about ancient herbal medicine, customs, and traditions that still shape life in the mountains today.
Moderate
7 Days
67.7 KM
Hiking Egypt Trail Highlights
Mount Na'aga
El-Galt El-Azraq
Mount Bab El-Donya
Mount Abas Basha
Mount Al-Ahmar
Mount Catherine roof of Egypt
Mount Sinai " Jabal Mousa "
Itinerary of hiking in Egypt highland trail
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Hike from Saint Catherine City to Mount Na'ga – 11 KM
Day 1
Our Egypt hiking adventure begins early in the morning. After preparing our daypacks, we drive from Saint Catherine city to the small village of Abu Sela. From there, we start our hike toward Shaq Tenya and ascend Mount Na’ga, where a breathtaking panoramic view awaits. We enjoy lunch at the summit before continuing on foot to a tranquil garden near Saqar Canyon, where we’ll camp for the night under the stars.
Hike from Saqar Canyon to El-Galt El-Azraq – 7.5 KM
Day 2
After breakfast, we hike through Saqar Canyon and continue to Wadi Abu Toweta. Our route leads us down from Um Sellh to reach the stunning natural pool of El-Galt El-Azraq—a perfect swimming spot if the weather is warm. After a relaxing lunch by the water, we make our way through Wadi Tubuq ” some boulders and rochy samll trails” to reach Farsh El-Romana, where we spend our second night surrounded by highland silence.
Hike from Farsh El-Romana to Mount Bab El-Donya & Jabal Abu Qoron – 13.5 KM
Day 3
Today, we follow a diverse route starting with the boulder fields of Naqb Bahrya, where we scramble and hop through rocky formations. We pass Wadi Zattar and arrive at Ain Negela, home to ancient springs and the remains of an old monastery. From here, we ascend Mount Bab El-Donya, enjoy a scenic lunch, and continue toward the summit of Jabal Abu Qoron for another spectacular panorama. We descend into the Secret Garden, our peaceful campsite for the night.
Hike from the Secret Garden to Mount Abbas Basha – 8 KM
Day 4
From the Secret Garden, we ascend Mount Abbas Basha, where we explore the ruins of an unfinished palace and enjoy a panoramic view across the Sinai highlands. Depending on the group’s preference, we can choose between a scrambling descent or a more relaxed route to reach our camping garden in Wadi Shaq.
Hike from Wadi El-Shaq to Mount Ahmar – 6.5 KM
Day 5
After breakfast, we hike through Wadi Ahmar—also known as the Red Valley—navigating a scenic boulder trail that requires a bit of scrambling, jumping over large rocks, and using basic mountain-walking techniques to reach the summit of Mount Ahmar. We enjoy lunch near the peak, soaking in the expansive views, before retracing our path down to Wadi Mathar, where our next garden campsite awaits.
Hike from Wadi Mathar to Mount Saint Catherine – 11.7 KM
Day 6
An early start sets us on a challenging rocky trails but rewarding climb to Mount Saint Catherine, Egypt’s highest summit. The ascent winds through a dramatic valley, and from the top, we take in one of the most impressive views in all of Sinai. After lunch on the summit, we descend via the rocky zigzag trail of Shaq Mousa to reach Wadi El-Arbain, where we camp at the base of Jabal Mousa (Mount Sinai).
Hike from Wadi El-Arbain to Mount Sinai (Jabal Mousa) – 9.5 KM
Day 7
On the final day of our Hiking in Egypt journey, we climb the legendary Mount Sinai, following a zigzag trail of approximately 3 kilometers before tackling the 750 historic steps to the summit. After soaking in the summit, we descend the trail and return to Saint Catherine city—completing one of the most unforgettable Egypt hiking experiences.
Hiking Egypt Trail Map
Elevation Profile
Distance
67.71 km
Ascent
4682(-4656) m
Max Elevation
2642 m
Min Elevation
1370 m
The Price Includes
Expert Bedouin Guide
A professional bedouin guide knows the wilderness like the back of his hand to help you have a special trip
Camel & Porterage
You will only carry your daily bag of snacks, water and personal items & overnight luggage and main supplies during the mountain trek carried up the camels
Camping Gardens
The Gardens where we will camp and blanket and mattress for each person
3 Meals a Day
Three bedouin traditional meals cooked with love up the firewoods
Some Equipment
Carpets and some furnishings will be provided for wild camping in the mountains and all cooking utensils
Transfer to Saint Catherine City & back
We will help you to find the best transportation to St. Catherine
The Price Doesn’t Includes
Tipping for Escorts
Tipping according to your personal preference around 12.5% from the trip price
Bottled water on the hike "optional"
Everyday there is 3 liters of water for every person 2 Bottles
Personal Expenses
You can spend some of these expenses on buying local gifts, such as handicrafts and local products
Personal Camping Equipments
Personal camping equipment such as a comfortable, weather-appropriate sleeping bag, tent, and sleeping mattress
Any extras not mentioned in the program
Example snacks gifts
What To Expect
Weather During Hiking Egypt
Saint Catherine’s unique weather is due to its 1600-meter-high mountains and valleys. We prefer to run this trip in spring and autumn when the daytime temperatures are lower and more pleasant for hiking Egypt trip (usually ranging from 15 to 30 °C). But we run a lot of other hikes during the winter and summer with prepared hikers. Winter nights can be really cold, but blankets and sleeping bags are provided for 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.
Accommodation During Hiking Egypt
During hiking Egypt the Bedouins usually sleep under the stars. They call it the million-star hotel. But sometimes there will be camping nights in the gardens equipped with Rocky rooms by the Bedouins; some of them contain mattresses and blankets, and sometimes we will camp our way through the pristine Sinai Trail. You will learn basic camping skills and how to set up a tent. Everyone should have a tent and a sleeping bag suitable for all seasons to ensure that there is enough space to make you all feel comfortable. A 3- or 4-season sleeping bag (depending on the time of year) will be enough to make your experience safe and comfortable.
Hiking in Egypt
You don’t need to be an expert hiker to join the hiking in Egypt highland trail, but you do need to be fit enough to hike for at least 5–6 hours every day in Sinai weather. You will walk through the amazing boulder-strewn wadis, dramatic switchbacks sometimes and through rocky trails or green valleys. However, each day will just keep you motivated for the next with the great company and breathtaking scenery.
Food
You will have three extremely delicious bedouin meals cooked up the wood fire all the hiking egypt trip, and you can also help in their preparation if you want to. Breakfast is usually eggs, cheese, beans, honey, and jam; lunch is on the lighter side with salad, grilled eggplant, tuna salad, mashed potatoes, and white cheese; and dinner is the amazing cuisine of bedouins, which is soup, pasta, rice, lentils, vegetables, meat, or chicken slow-cooked on charcoal or on the fire with some fruit.
What to Bring
Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack (max 15 kg)
Hiking day-pack (20-30 litres)
Hiking shoes
Camping tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Hiking poles
Warm Jacket waterproof
Hiking Pants waterproof
Thermal shirt
Warm Hood
Hiking short
head torch
Slipper or sandal for the night
Winter clothes
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Energy bars, nuts and snacks
Personal first aid kit
Sanitary supplies
Battery charger or Solar charger
Sun hat
Passport
Extra cash
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