Jebel Umm Shaumar
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.
Around Jebel Umm Shaumar
- 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.
Hike info and map: Trek 9
PHOTOS
The view of Jebel Umm Shaumar from El Tur, acros el Qaa. (25 November 2008)
The view of Jebel Umm Shaumar from Ras Abu Alda and Masb Abu Gharun.
Hike with Salah Abu Rizq and Ahmed Shams. (2006)
Hike with Salah Abu Rizq and Ahmed Shams. (2006)
From Wadi Zawatina to Wadi Rumhan, the base of Jebel Umm Shaumar.
Hike with Mohamed Darwish and Gordon Wilkinson. (31 October 2007)
Hike with Mohamed Darwish and Gordon Wilkinson. (31 October 2007)
From Wadi Rumhan to Jebel Umm Shaumar.
Sheikh Sina training/promo trek. (19 November 2007)
Sheikh Sina training/promo trek. (19 November 2007)
more photos coming
Approaching Jebel Umm Shaumar directly from Wadi Zawatina, without descending to Wadi Rumhan.
Sheikh Sina training/promo trek. (30 October 2009)
Sheikh Sina training/promo trek. (30 October 2009)
More photos coming.
















































