Jebel Umm Shaumar

Trek 9

The second highest mountain in Egypt, standing on the perimeter of the rugged mountainous interior, with long wadis and smaller ranges running towards the sandy plain of El Qaa and the coast at El Tur city. You can see the Gulf of Suez and across it the mountain ranges in mainland Egypt. It is a tough climb, but worth the effort. A car can drive out to Wadi Zawatina from where the trek starts.

Other names/spellings: Mt., Mount, Jabal, Gebel, Gabal, Djebel, Djabal – Umm Shomar, Umm Shomer, Umm Shawmar, Um Shaumar, Um Shomar, Um Shomer



  • Jebel Umm Shaumar: rugged granite mountain with two peaks, with the route to the top in the gully that runs between them.
  • Wadi Zawatina: the last spot that can be reached by car from St. Katherine via the Wadi Rahaba area, it is from where the walk starts either via Jebel Abu Shajara or Naqb el Breqa.
  • Jebel Abu Shajara: a smaller mountain between Wadi Zawatina and Jebel Umm Shaumar, with the shorter route going over its slope.
  • Naqb el Breqa: a steep gully descending to Wadi Rumhan at the base of Jebel Umm Shaumar, the camel path.
  • Wadi Rumhan: starting from the saddle between Jebel Umm Shaumar and Jebel Abu Shajara, it is a long winding wadi that continues in Wadi Isla to the sea. There are abandoned gardens and the ruined monastery known as Deir Rumhan. Camp is often set up in Wadi Rumhan. It is a longer climb from here to Jebel Umm Shaumar than via Jebel Abu Shajara.

See: Trek 9 


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