We will be updating the list below regularly.
1. Ras Abu Gallum (near Nuweiba/Dahab area)
One of Sinai’s top-rated MTB trails (often ranked #2 on Trailforks for the region). This multi-use singletrack runs ~54 km as a black diamond route, primarily downhill-oriented but with significant challenges.
• Terrain: Coastal singletrack hugging the Gulf of Aqaba, mixing rocky technical sections, sandy washes, and dramatic drops with turquoise sea views crashing below. Expect loose gravel, steep descents, and exposed edges.
• Elevation: Big descents (e.g., -1,000+ m in sections), rolling climbs back up.
• Highlights: Remote feel, hidden beaches, Bedouin camps for tea stops. Combine with a shuttle start from Dahab for a full-day epic.
• Difficulty: Advanced—technical, navigation-heavy, potential for flats in soft sand. Pure adventure: ride the obsession along one of Sinai’s wildest coastlines.
2. Ain Shafallah (Ras Sheitan area)
A standout long-distance trail (~26 km), highly ranked on Trailforks.
• Terrain: Desert singletrack with rocky outcrops, sandy flats, and undulating wadis. Mix of fast flow and punchy technical bits.
• Elevation: ~434 m climb, -1,162 m descent—net downhill bias but legs get tested.
• Highlights: Vast open desert vistas, occasional oases, solitude. Great for endurance riders seeking raw Sinai silence.
• Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced—soft sections demand power and line choice.
3. St. Catherine’s / Mt. St. Catherine Loop
The lung-busting king: a ~26-mile (42 km) loop around and over Mt. St. Catherine (Egypt’s highest peak at ~2,629 m). Trailforks calls it “leg and lung busting.”
• Terrain: Steep rocky climbs on jeep tracks and faint paths, technical descents through granite boulders, high-altitude wadis. Near St. Catherine Monastery (UNESCO site), you weave past ancient paths used by pilgrims.
• Elevation: Massive gain/loss (~5,161 ft / 1,573 m total ascent in the full loop). High point near the mountain’s flanks.
• Highlights: Epic panoramas over jagged peaks, possible monastery visit, sunrise potential if timed right. Combine with ecolodge return for a full circuit.
• Difficulty: Expert—high altitude, relentless climbs, rocky tech. Reward: views that make the burn worth it.
4. Coloured Canyon (near Ras Sheitan/Nuweiba)
~19 km trail, often ridden as an out-and-back or loop.
• Terrain: Narrow, dramatic slot canyons with stunning multicolored sandstone walls (reds, yellows, purples). Rocky, sandy, some hike-a-bike sections.
• Elevation: ~471 m climb, -671 m descent.
• Highlights: Otherworldly geology—like riding through a painted desert. Pair with nearby White Canyon for variety (chalk-white limestone walls, soft sand floors, surreal “ice in desert” feel).
• Difficulty: Intermediate-advanced—navigation essential, some exposure.
5. White Canyon & Salama Canyon (near Ain Khudra Oasis)
Shorter but visually insane add-ons, often combined (~2–5 km canyon sections, extendable loops).
• Terrain: Flat sandy canyon floors flanked by towering white/smooth walls (White) or layered colors (Salama, aka “Small Coloured”). Some scrambling, thick sand that tires legs fast.
• Elevation: Moderate (~150 m gain/loss in White).
• Highlights: Mushroom Rock formations, oasis lunch stops, Bedouin vibes. Feels like another planet.
• Difficulty: Moderate—more about endurance in sand than pure tech.
6. The Caves (Dahab area)
A classic coastal ride (13 km one way / 8–10 miles round trip from central Dahab), popular on Wikiloc for easy access to one of Dahab’s iconic dive sites.
• Terrain: Mostly paved coastal road north of Dahab, transitioning to gentle dirt/jeep track near the end. Flat to rolling with minimal tech—some loose gravel or sand patches possible.
• Elevation: Low (150 m / 500 ft total gain round trip), mostly flat with a slight undulation.
• Highlights: Epic turquoise Gulf of Aqaba views the whole way, arrival at The Caves—a legendary shore dive/snorkel spot with dramatic underwater caves and reefs right off the beach. Great for a relaxed spin, post-ride swim/snorkel, or combining with a coffee stop in Dahab. Feels like a mini adventure without the full suffer.
• Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate—easy pedaling, navigation straightforward along the main coastal path. Ideal intro to Sinai riding or recovery after bigger days.
General Tips for Sinai MTB
• Start from hubs like Dahab, Nuweiba, or St. Catherine.
• Expect soft gravel/sand flats that sap energy—wide tires help.
• No crowds, but zero services in remote areas—self-supported or guided.
• Routes often unmarked; download GPX from Trailforks/Wikiloc.
• Respect Bedouin land—tea stops build connections.
These trails aren’t groomed flow—they’re raw, unforgiving, soul-testing. Exactly what a Cyclopath craves. Which one calls first? Drop your plans; we can refine setups or routes. Ride hard. 🏜️🚵♂️
Cyclopath 