The Three Peaks Egypt Challenge is a big undertaking. You’ll no doubt have a lot of questions. Here are the questions we get asked most regularly. If your question isn’t answered, drop us a line using our contact page. You can also ask questions on our social media pages, where you might find other hikers offering tips.
PREPARING FOR YOUR HIKE
What challenge should I do? Most fit, active, in-shape and experienced hikers will be able to aim for the 24 hour hike, although its difficulty should not be underestimated. Any Three Peaks Egypt Challenge should follow a suitable physical training regime in the weeks or months before you do the challenge. If you’re not sure which hike to do, we recommend the 72 hour option. If it is too easy go to the next level, next time.
How fit do I need to be? Obviously, it depends which challenge you’ll do, but the fitter you are, the higher your chances of success, and the more you’ll enjoy it. Cardiovascular fitness – i.e. the sort that gets you out of breath – is important. Stamina is key too. We recommend you train, doing exercises that build your fitness and stamina. Ideally, they should be done in conditions that simluate conditions you’ll encounter. Walk with a backpack, on rocky, hiking-type terrain, over long distances.
Where can I get outdoor equipment in Egypt? Decathlon sells good quality backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking gear and other equipment in Cairo. Gas stoves are available at Carrefour in Maadi and Alfa Market in Zamalek. Other specialist gear like survival bags are harder to find. One option you have is simply to improvise, making your own.
Is the Sinai safe? There are pockets of persistent unrest in North Sinai. South Sinai has been one of the quietest parts of Egypt in recent years and its interior, mountain parts, where hiking happens, have no record of terrorist attacks against tourists. They’re historically one of the safest parts of Egypt, despite the way they are often portrayed. The Bedouin watch their mountain territories carefully, adding an extra level of security to what is already in place from Egypt’s security services. Nevertheless, there are no guarantees. Things can change. Everybody must do their own research and make their own decision. We suggest everybody consults a range of sources, from government advice to newspaper reports to internet forums before visiting.
THE TRAIL
Is there a mobile signal in the mountains? Yes, on or near each of the three peaks. Nevertheless, these signals can cut out entirely in St Katherine. Do not rely on having one. It is better to tell anybody at home you will not have a signal for the entirety of your challenge, to ensure they do not worry if you are not in touch throughout.
What are the paths like? There are good, well-defined paths in some places. In others, paths are just dirt tracks: rough under foot and hard to follow. Some sections of the trail don’t have paths at all. They run over rocky ground, and their line is marked by piles of stones called rojoms. There are scrambling sections where it is necessary to use your hands too, although they are not technical or exposed.
Is scrambling the same as rock climbing? No. Scrambling generally involves moving up easier angled rock, with bigger, more comfortable holds. What makes it different to walking is you usually need to use your hands for balance. The scrambling on the Three Peaks Egypt Challenge is not technical and has little exposure.
Can I get water on the trail? Do I need to purify it? There are several drinking sources on the trail: wells and springs. Some are in Bedouin gardens, which can be locked, and some involve going off trail, which can slow your attempt down. It is important to plan the amount of water you will need for the time of year you visit and to know where you will re-fill. Many hikers do not purify the water from mountain sources, but to be extra safe we recommend purification. You can use specialist water filters or sterilisation tablets or UV technology like a Steripen. Alternatively, you can use camels to make drop offs of bottled water/ other supplies at key points.
Can I use a camel to carry my bags? Yes. But they won’t be with you on the whole circuit. Generally, camels can make two drop offs, bringing you extra water or food, extra warm clothes etc. One is at the approximate half way point, after Jebel Abbas Basha. The other is on Jebel Katherina. It would also be possible for a camel to make another drop off at the bottom of Jebel Katherina or half way up Mount Sinai. Camel support is useful: it can reduce the amount you have to carry and – if used intelligently – can increase your chances of success on the challenge.
Can I do it as a running trail? Yes, it’s a great running trail. The record is 7 hours 22 mins 35 secs and it is held by Egyptian ultra runner Sherief Elabd.
Can I do these three peaks by another route? Not as an official Three Peaks Egypt Challenge attempt. The route must stay the same to ensure consistency and fairness in record attempts etc. Shortcuts, alternatives etc will mean you are not following the challenge and will not count as the Three Peaks Egypt Challenge. Two official routes are recognised for record attempts on the Three Peaks Egypt Challenge.
Can I do the same trail, the other way around? Any official attempts of the route must be done the way the challenge is described in the route guide.
ORGANISING A CHALLENGE
Do I need a Bedouin guide? Yes, Bedouin guides are compulsory. Our trail guides and maps are primarily route companions, designed to enrich the trail experience. Bedouin guides are the quickest, slickest navigators in the Sinai, with a great depth of mountain experience and a set of survival skills that will help keep you safe.
Do I have to do it as a challenge? No, it’s a beautiful, world-class hiking trail in its own right, that can be a challenge and adventure in itself, even without the timed element.
What about kids? Can I bring them with me? The Three Peaks Egypt Challenge can be a great, inspirational hiking route for kids, but remember it is a high, rough mountain environment that can be demanding and tiring, and parents must be responsible, watching and supervising them carefully and taking the necessary precautions. With young children, we recommend it is not done as a timed challenge but over three or four days or whatever pace is safe and comfortable.
I want to break the Three Peaks Egypt Challenge record – what do I do? All record attempts have to be supervised by the Three Peaks Egypt Challenge team. You must know the route thoroughly first, which will usually involve walking it several times before your record attempt. On your attempt, you must record your track with GPS, which will be examined after you finish to check you took the correct route. Currently, the record on the challenge is 7 hours, 22 mins, 35 secs.
WEATHER IN THE SINAI
Does snow come every winter? How cold does it get? The Sinai doesn’t have deep snow on its mountains the whole winter. Snow can come any time between late November and March, and usually melts quickly, within a few days. Winter can be anything from pleasantly mild to bitterly cold. On top of Jebel Katherina, temperatures are usually below freezing in winter. All this means you need to pack enough warm clothes, including gloves, hats and thick socks, and to take care of ice and other hazards on the way. It also means that, in winter, you’ll have to carry a heavier load.
How reliable are weather forecasts? Never rely on forecasts 100%. Egypt does not produce specialist hiking forecasts and given how profoundly a mountain landscape can modify a weather system, hikers must exercise extra caution. Always check forecasts before you go – YR is a good website for St Katherine forecasts – and wherever possible get updates on trail. Monitor how weather is changing and, if necessary, seek shelter or abandon your challenge on one of the escape routes.
How hot does it get in summer? In St Katherine, summer temperatures can be around 30 degrees in the shade. It’s not just the summer months that are hot though. Heatwaves can come in spring or autumn. Even winter can be warmer than a lot of hikers imagine. Out on the trails of the Three Peaks Egypt Challenge you will usually be walking in the sun, which will make it feel a lot hotter, especially with all the physical exertion you’re going through. Exposure to the heat and sun are one of the biggest hazards of the Three Peaks Egypt Challenge and you must be aware of them and take the necessary precautions to ensure you can do your challenge safely at all times.
Does it get cold even in summer? Yes. Summer nights can be cold, especially higher up. Never go without a good warm layer.
Do flash floods happen? Yes. They can become dangerous in narrow, enclosed wadis. Check weather forecasts, get local advice and remain vigilant, taking the advice of your guide and retreating to safe places if necessary. One of the biggest hazards if it rains is the rocks, which become slippery: under pressure and going fast, it’s easy to slip.
MOUNTAIN SAFETY
Does Sinai have an official mountain rescue team? No. Nothing like in Europe, anyway. Rescues in the Sinai are usually orchestrated by the Bedouin, in rare cases with assistance from Egyptian authorities. Camels, donkeys and stretchers will be involved. The absence of an official mountain rescue team means you must take extra care planning and actually doing your challenge. It is something that can be done safely but only if it is done in a responsible way. It’s imperative to understand there is always an element of risk in the mountains due to their remoteness. You walk the trail at your own risk and must be responsible for your safety. Read our safety sections and understanding of risk section carefully and get further advice from your hike organiser.
Are there places to shelter on the Three Peaks Egypt Challenge? Yes, Bedouin orchards are dotted along the route regularly, and many have empty stone huts and canopies which can be used in emergencies. There are small cafeterias which can provide shelter on Mount Sinai. Jebel Katherina is the most exposed section of the route with just one stone hut shelter on the top.
