The Closed Canyon – Sinai’s Hidden Labyrinth

Far from the crowded paths of Mount Mousa, hidden among the sandstone mountains north of Saint Catherine, lies a natural wonder that feels like stepping into another world: the Closed Canyon. Carved by time, water, and wind, this narrow passage twists and turns through layers of colored rock, creating an experience that is part hike, part exploration, and part adventure.

What is the Closed Canyon?

The Closed Canyon is a narrow slot canyon, similar in feel to the more famous Colored Canyon near Nuweiba, but quieter and more intimate. Its sandstone walls rise high overhead, sometimes narrowing so much that hikers must turn sideways to pass. Sunlight filters in from above, painting the rocks in shades of red, gold, and pink.

The canyon’s name comes from its tight, enclosed walls, which give the impression of being sealed off from the outside world. It is a place where the desert speaks in silence.

The Hike

• Starting Point: Most treks to the Closed Canyon begin near Nuweiba, but it can also be arranged as part of longer journeys from Saint Catherine.
• Duration: 2–3 hours within the canyon itself; often combined with other nearby hikes for a full-day trip.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The terrain is sandy and rocky, with some narrow squeezes, but no technical climbing is required.
• Highlights: Narrow winding corridors, wave-like rock formations, changing colors with the sun’s movement.

Because the canyon can flood in rare but sudden desert rains, hiking with a local Bedouin guide is essential. They know the safe seasons and conditions.

Why Visit the Closed Canyon?

The Closed Canyon offers a different kind of Sinai experience. Where Mount Mousa is grand and historic, and Abbas Pasha is dramatic and haunting, the Closed Canyon is playful, colorful, and intimate. It invites curiosity at every turn—each twist revealing new shades of stone, each squeeze between walls a reminder of nature’s power to sculpt beauty in silence.

For guests at Dar Katrine, this hike is an ideal day trip—adventurous but not overly demanding, rich in scenery, and guided by the living traditions of Sinai’s Bedouin people.