The secret treasures atop the Mt Sinai range

Originally posted on June 11, 2014

Mt Sinai (Gebel Mousa) and Jebel Safsafa form one massif, with Safsafa towering above the town of St Katherine, while the peak of Mt Sinai is located at the other end, not visible from town. Most people climbing the mountain never realise how many beautiful secrets this range holds, just a few steps off the main tourist path. There are hidden little basins harbouring chapels and hermit cells, gardens, wells and reservoirs, gullies offering a view to different directions, and the stunning sight of Wadi Raha and the town of St Katherine from Ras Safsafa. Instead of the usual route, you could visit all these places in a long day, finishing at the peak of Mt Sinai for the sunset, then either return to town or spend the night up to see the sunrise too. The best route is from Wadi Arbain, just off from the Rasis area of town, passing Hajar Mousa (Rock of Moses) and the Monastery of the Fourty Martyrs (Deir el Arbain). From there head to Kinist el Hmar, and start exploring the basins before you join the main tourist path in Farsh Eliya (Elijah’s Basin). You can see the exact route on Mt Sinai hike page, and here are a few photos of this majestic mountain taken at different times in the last 9 years.

If you want to sleep up, you can do so at any of the cafeterias, and there used to be a ”deluxe” cave just below the summit and a cosy campsaite in Farsh Eliya (Elijah’s Basin), or – especially if you’re planning to climb Mt Katharina next – you could stay at Ramadan’s Garden in Wadi Arbain.





































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