Abbas Pasha  

The route to Gebel Abbas Pasha starts from the village up the Abu Gifa snake path up to the Abu Gifa pass. The snake path was made by Abbas Pasha to bring building materials up to the mountain for his palace. When almost at the top there is a beautiful view over the village and the plain of ar Raha. Reaching the top there are what looks like a pile of stones on the left. This is an old trap for catching leopards, which is situated typically in a narrow pass used frequently by leopards. Leopards have been extinct in the Sinai for more than 30 years. A bit further on the ring dyke of black volcanic rock that encircles the St. Katherine area can be seen, standing out against the reddish ikna granite.

Going down from the pass, keep left into wadi Tuboug (to the right is the beginning of wadi Ta'lah (no. 10)). This is a beautiful easy walk past orchards and wild fig trees. This area is rich with plants and herbs, as it is the main drainage for water after rainfall. Along this wadi stands an ancient mulberry tree, probably dating back to the 7th century AD, giving the most beautiful fruit in july and august. This tree is protected by bedouin law, and although it stands inside orchard walls, anyone is allowed to pick and enjoy its fruits. A few meters further an old walnut tree still stands strong.

Turning right into Wadi Zawatiin you pass the orchard of Sa'ad Mahmoud. Here you can get drinks or camp the night and enjoy his hospitality. The path leads past orchards and then reaches barren ground. Here the path passes a stone wall which was to be the road for Abbas Pasha's carriage. Reaching the top of the pass, you get a breathtaking view over wadi Tinya. To the right you can see the path winding up Gebel Abbas Pasha, made by the workers to transport materials.

On the summit are the remains of the unfinished palace. From here you have a panoramic view in all directions: Mount Sinai and Ras Safsafa, the village of St. Katherine, Mount Katherine, Gebel Bab, Mount Serbal. All can be seen on a clear day.