Red Sea Mountain Trail

The Red Sea Mountain Trail opened in 2019 as the second community trail in Egypt after the Sinai Trail, and it is run by the Maaza Bedouin whose territory it crosses, in the granite mountains behind Hurghada. The circuit runs about 170 kilometres over ten days through a landscape almost nobody visits: high granite peaks including Gebel Shayib, the highest mountain in mainland Egypt at around 2,187 metres, deep wadis with acacia and springs, Roman quarry sites, rock art panels and abandoned mining settlements. Camping is on the ground, camels carry the loads, and Bedouin guides cook and navigate. Shorter sections of three or four days can be arranged. The trail was set up explicitly to bring income to a community left out of the coastal tourism economy.

What you actually see

• Gebel Shayib - the highest mountain in mainland Egypt, on the route.
• Granite peaks and deep wadis - a range almost nobody visits.
• Rock art and Roman sites - quarries and carved panels along the way.
• Maaza Bedouin guiding - the community that owns and runs the trail.

When to go

October to April; the trail closes in the hot months. Three to four days for a section, ten for the full circuit. Nights are cold in winter and warm clothing is needed. Departures are scheduled rather than on demand.

Honest expectations

This is unsupported desert walking with no huts, no resupply and no phone signal. Guides are mandatory and self-guided walking is not permitted. Real fitness is required for the mountain sections. Departure dates are limited and need booking well ahead.

Nearby

Hurghada is the coastal base; Mons Porphyrites lies within the same range.