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A labyrinth of towering sandstone walls streaked red, orange, gold, and purple — once beneath the Red Sea, now one of Sinai's most beautiful hikes. Near Nuweiba.متاهةٌ من جدرانٍ رملية شاهقة مخطّطة بالأحمر والبرتقالي والذهبي والبنفسجي — كانت يومًا تحت البحر الأحمر، وهي اليوم من أجمل مسارات المشي في سيناء. قرب نويبع.
Hidden in the mountains of South Sinai, near the quiet coastal town of Nuweiba, the Colored Canyon is one of Egypt's most spectacular natural secrets. Its narrow, winding corridors are walled by towering sandstone streaked in brilliant reds, oranges, golds, and purples — colours painted by minerals over millions of years. Walking through this silent, sculpted maze, with the light shifting on the polished stone, is an unforgettable experience for hikers and photographers alike.
مختبئًا في جبال جنوب سيناء، قرب بلدة نويبع الساحلية الهادئة، يُعدّ الوادي الملوّن واحدًا من أروع أسرار مصر الطبيعية. فممرّاته الضيّقة المتعرّجة تحدّها جدرانٌ رملية شاهقة مخطّطة بالأحمر والبرتقالي والذهبي والبنفسجي الزاهي — ألوانٌ رسمتها المعادن عبر ملايين السنين. والسير في هذه المتاهة الصامتة المنحوتة، والضوء يتراقص على الحجر المصقول، تجربةٌ لا تُنسى لعشّاق المشي والتصوير على حدٍّ سواء.
A Painted Labyrinth · متاهةٌ ملوّنة
Sandstone streaked like a painting.حجرٌ رملي مخطّطٌ كاللوحة.
The canyon runs for some 700–800 metres, its walls rising up to around forty metres and narrowing in places to just a few feet apart. What makes it unforgettable is the colour: layers of sandstone stained red, orange, gold, purple, and even silvery hues by iron oxide, manganese, and other minerals. In some stretches the rock gleams with a metallic sheen; in others it looks smooth and soft. As sunlight filters down between the high walls, the shifting light and shadow turn the whole gorge into a natural work of art.
Forged by an Ancient Sea · صاغها بحرٌ قديم
A landscape millions of years in the making.مشهدٌ تشكّل عبر ملايين السنين.
Astonishingly, this desert canyon was once beneath the waters of the Red Sea. Millions of years ago the whole region lay submerged, and as the sea retreated, water and flash floods carved and eroded the exposed sandstone and limestone, while shifts in the earth cracked and lifted the rock. The minerals left behind by the ancient ocean gave the walls their spectacular colours. The canyon lies within the El-Tih mountain range, a landscape long woven into local Bedouin lore and biblical tradition.
Hiking the Canyon · المشي في الوادي
An accessible adventure for most.مغامرةٌ في متناول الأغلبية.
Exploring the Colored Canyon means descending into the gorge and walking through its twisting corridors, with some easy scrambling over rocks along the way. The route is generally easy to moderate and takes around one to two hours, suitable for anyone with reasonable fitness and good balance — though it has no railings or built paths, so care is needed. Because the canyon is remote and unmarked, going with an experienced Bedouin guide is strongly recommended, both to find the way and to share the area's stories.
Visiting · الزيارة
Reached from the Sinai resorts with a guide.يُوصَل إليه من منتجعات سيناء مع مرشد.
The Colored Canyon lies near Nuweiba, about 90 km north of Dahab and roughly a two-hour drive from Sharm El-Sheikh. A 4x4 vehicle and a licensed guide are essential, as the approach crosses desert tracks. It is usually visited on a guided day trip, often combined with the Ain Khudra oasis, and pairs naturally with a wider tour of the St Catherine region. The best time is September to April; avoid the canyon after rain, when flash floods — though rare — can be dangerous.
Quick Facts · حقائق سريعة
Sources include various South Sinai travel and hiking guides. Travel details are approximate; a licensed guide is recommended.