Hiking in Egypt: A Guide to the Best Trails

Most people picture camels and pyramids when they think of Egypt. Few picture mountain sunrises, desert canyons, and peaks rising straight out of the Red Sea coastline. Here are three regions that show a different side of the country entirely.

Wadi Degla, Cairo

Just outside Cairo, Wadi Degla is proof that you don't need to travel far to find real desert terrain. This protected canyon cuts through the limestone plateau south of the city, offering a half-day escape that feels worlds away from the traffic and noise just a few kilometers behind you.

It's an easy, accessible hike — perfect for a quick trail run or a first taste of Egypt's desert landscape without committing to a multi-day expedition.

Saint Catherine & South Sinai

The town of Saint Catherine sits at the foot of two of Egypt's most iconic peaks, and together they capture everything that makes South Sinai special.

Mount Sinai (Gebel Musa) is the classic climb — a steady overnight ascent along the well-marked Camel Trail, timed so you reach the 2,285-meter summit just as the sky starts to change color. Watching sunrise from the top, with the surrounding peaks catching the first light, is one of those moments that stays with you long after the trip ends.

Mount Catherine, Egypt's highest peak at 2,645 meters, is the quieter alternative. The climb takes five to six hours and trades the crowds of Mount Sinai for genuine isolation and sweeping views across the entire peninsula.

The Red Sea Mountains

Inland from Hurghada, the Red Sea Mountains hold some of the least-visited terrain in the country. At the heart of this range stands Shaib El Banat — at 2,187 meters, the highest peak in mainland Egypt outside the Sinai.

It's a serious climb, with steep scrambles and a long ascent rewarded by views stretching across the Red Sea to the Sinai mountains on a clear day. Local Bedouin guides know the routes best, and climbing with one isn't just safer — it's the only way to really understand the mountain.

Let Us Help You Get There

Each of these trails calls for different preparation — Wadi Degla is an easy half-day walk, while Mount Catherine and Shaib El Banat demand real fitness, the right gear, and a guide who knows the terrain. We organize trips to all three, matched to your experience level and what you're looking to get out of the climb.

Get in touch and we'll help you plan the trip.

Where can you go hiking in Egypt?

Infinity Walk