Jebel Dalal

Trek 24

The southernmost head of the Tih Plateau, standing above Wadi Zaranik. (Note: the Bedouin don’t consider it to be part of the Tih, they only call the western part of the plateau Jebel Tih.) To the west is a big desert plain stretching to Serabit el Khadim; to the east is Wadi Zalaqa running between the Tih and Guna plateaus to Ein Umm Ahmed; to the south the plain of Elu el Ajramiya lies, and beyond the village of Tarfa, St. Katherine and the High Mountains. It is an important cross-road between the different regions. A drivable dirt road even ascends the range, and there are several more options on foot, depending where you are coming from.

Other names/spellings: Jabal, Gebel, Gabal, Djebel, Djabal – el-Dalal, al-Dalal, ed-Dalal, ad-Dalal


  • Jebel Dalal: the tip of the central Sinai plateau (marked on maps as the Tih Plateau), a flat bastion of a mountain standing above a system of connecting plains and low wadis that are part of the sandy belt cutting across the peninsula from one coast to the other.
  • Naqb el Qattar: starting from an area known as Haraba in the eastern end of El Ramla, this is the main route from the west up to Jebel Dalal. Accessible only on foot.
  • El Ramla: a vast desert plain that runs below the Tih Plateau, connecting the west coast to Wadi Zalaqa and the east coast.
  • Naqb Ayana: a steep pass on the east side of Jebel Dalal, connecting to the upper end of Wadi Zalaqa. Accessible only on foot, although 4×4 can drive up amazingly high.
  • Wadi Zalaqa: a long and wide wadi that connects the Jebel Dalal area to Ein Umm Ahmed and then Wadi Watir in the east.
  • Naqb Dalal: a pass with a road accessible for vehicles leading up to the top from the plain of El Joofa in the south. There are several shorter routes accessible on foot and for camels.
  • El Joofa: a sandy plain with some rocky hills southwest of Jebel Dalal. A pumping station known as Bier Abu Wayed can provide fresh water.
  • Wadi Gharaba and Hashm el Gharaba: the routes from El Ramla to El Joofa, the first is the main 4×4 track, the later is accessible on foot only.
  • Zaranik: a plain with a maze of rocky hills southeast of Jebel Dalal, connecting El Joofa to Wadi Zalaqa. It includes the footpath via Zarnuq, and the 4×4 route via Matab Zalaqa.
  • Elu el Ajramiya: a big open plain south of El Joofa, extending to the main asphalt road at the settlement of Tarfa.

See: Trek 24 


Popular posts from this blog

Geographical features: Jidda / Dyke (Dike)

Image
Originally posted on February 7, 2015 The whole southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula is a mountainous area, while the High Mountain Region proper, sometimes called the Central High Mountains, is the area in the middle around the town of St. Katherine. (See Google Earth screenshots below.) Up to 80% of the massif is granite of different types formed as far back as 600 million years, but there are also mountains that are made of newer, about 10 million year-old black volcanic rock. Sandstone and limestone are found north of the mountainous tip, forming surrealistic rock formations, sandy plains and eroded layered plateaus. In the mountainous area red granite and black volcanic mountains are often found together, as we can see with the Jebel Safsafa-Mt. Sinai, the Jebel Raba-Jebel Ahmar-Mt. Katharina or the Jebel Abu Mahashur-Jebel Abbas Basha ranges. In each case much of the mass of the mountains is made of hard and smooth red granite, but the famous peaks are actually softer crumbling bl...
Read more

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in South Sinai

Image
Originally posted on November 16, 2015 South Sinai features more attractions than most people think, and not all is under water. Known mostly for its Red Sea resorts, coral reefs and great diving, there is a lot to see in the interior too. Following are the 10 best known tourist attractions, the must-see places in South Sinai. 1. Ras Mohamed National Park Located near the resort city of Sharm el Sheikh, Ras Mohamed was the first National Park in the Sinai. It is famous for its underwater life and coral reefs, and so is usually visited for snorkeling and scuba diving, either by car or boat. It is a pleasant spot even if you are not into water sports. It is the southernmost point of the Sinai Peninsula and there are a number of beaches in little cute bays, as well as lookout points. Most tour operators organise programs to Ras Mohamed. >>> See photos 2. Blue Hole The Blue Hole is one of the most famous diving spots in Sinai, found near Dahab. It is submarine sinkhole, around 130...
Read more

Garden of Ramadan Abu Sayyed

Image
Very easy to reach from the town of St. Katherine, it lies just below the holy peaks of Mt. Sinai on one side and of Mt. Katherine on the other side. Mt. Sinai can be reached different ways, and the full day program is definitelly recommended. There is an ancient small Orthodox monastery next to the garden, with a big stone-walled orchard, olive groves, tall cypress trees. The rock of Moses is also in the same valley. Ramadan, the owner of the garden, sometimes plays the traditional stringed intrument, the simsimiyya. He also breeds Rock Hyraxes, a cute hairy mountain creature. The terraced garden has many secluded areas away from Ramadan's family tent, with stone rooms for winter use and shady-windy open arishas for summer. There are clean toilets and showers. There are many fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, all grown organically. The garden is ideal for individuals and smaller groups who want to relax on holy land but don't want to - or unable to - walk too much or too hard. ...
Read more