Jebel Abbas Basha – The Mountain of a Forgotten Palace

Perched high above Saint Catherine at 2,381 meters, Jebel Abbas Basha is more than just another summit in the Sinai highlands. It is a mountain with a story—a tale of ambition, struggle, and mystery, crowned by the crumbling ruins of an unfinished palace built for an Egyptian ruler who never saw it completed.

The Story of Abbas Pasha and His Palace

In the mid-19th century, Khedive Abbas Pasha, ruler of Egypt, sought to build a retreat atop one of Sinai’s highest peaks. Some say it was for his health—he suffered from asthma and longed for the clean mountain air. Others believe it was to oversee the strategic trade routes that once cut across the desert.

Work began in 1850, and stones were painstakingly carried up by workers and camels. But before the palace could be completed, Abbas Pasha died under mysterious circumstances in 1854. Today, only ruins remain—broken walls and foundations perched dramatically on the mountain’s summit, a reminder of ambition cut short.

For the Bedouins of the area, the site has always held a strange aura, blending history with local legend. Some even refer to the palace as “the dream house that turned into dust.”

The Hike to Jebel Abbas Basha

The trail to Abbas Basha is one of the most rewarding hikes in the Saint Catherine region. Unlike Mount Mousa, it is far less crowded, making it perfect for those seeking solitude.

• Starting Point: Most treks begin from the town of Saint Catherine, often passing by orchards and wadis before ascending.
• Duration: 6–8 hours round trip, depending on pace and chosen route.
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging; the final ascent is steep and exposed, but not technical.
• Highlights: Wide views over the granite peaks of Sinai, including Mount Mousa, Jebel Katherina (Egypt’s highest peak at 2,642m), and the sweeping desert beyond.

At the summit, hikers find not only breathtaking panoramas but also the haunting ruins of the Abbas Pasha Palace—silent stones against the wind.

Why This Hike Matters

Climbing Jebel Abbas Basha is not just about reaching a summit. It’s about stepping into a forgotten chapter of Sinai’s history—an unfinished palace on a lonely peak, where human ambition meets the raw permanence of nature.

Unlike Mount Mousa, where you share the path with pilgrims, here the silence is deeper. You’ll stand among the ruins, feel the wind cutting across the plateau, and realize that the mountains will always outlast kings and empires.