Sweating in the gym isn’t really your thing, but you still want to get all those muscles toned? Throw in fresh air, amazing scenery, good company, and some really challenging terrain … rock climbing may be the best thing to do the trick.
From Cairo to Gouna, and a few other beauty spots, people of all ages and varying levels of fitness are getting out and enjoying nature first hand. If you need to grasp the basics there are excellent trainers and climbing walls in Cairo to help you on your upward path, but nothing beats the real thing, we promise you. The cooler months offer the best conditions for the sport, why wait?
6 Amazing Climbing Locations
Ain Sokhna
An easy drive from Cairo, Rock ‘n’ Rope operates from Il Monte Galala in Ain Sokhna. Co-founded by well-known adventurer Omar Samra and Nora Kafafi, Rock ‘n’ Rope provides excellent climbing sites along with all the support and assistance required.
El Gouna
If you feel inspired and motivated by Gouna Mountain Goats’ phenomenal pics on Instagram, give them a buzz to learn more about how and when you can link up. Great as those photos may be, nothing beats taking some yourself when you explore the valleys and mountains with the help of experienced local Bedouin guides.
Dahab – Sinai
The mountains that form a stunning backdrop to the beach hub of Dahab have been a natural draw for trekkers and tourists for years. Their appeal is eternal, and should be considered a ‘must see’ for any visitor to the area. Trips and treks for all levels of fitness and expertise are arranged by several well-organized companies and guides.
Sinai Rock Climbing Centre, an offshoot of Desert Divers in Dahab offers rock climbing in Wadi Qnai. You can learn to rock climb or improve your climbing technique, or enjoy the sport climbing and bouldering for more experienced climbers. The center offers transportation and safari support along with other useful information.
Mokattam in Cairo
Who would have dreamt that challenging climbs are within such easy reach of home? Mario High Ropes Team offers running, climbing, and a number of other high adrenalin activities near Saint Samaan the Tanner Monastery (Deir Sama’an Al-Kharaz). Open daily except Sundays.
St. Catherine
Deep in the heart of Sinai‘s majestic mountains there are some wonderful peaks and rock faces to challenge adventurers. The easier climb up the trails of St. Catherine to catch the sunrise are well trodden, but adrenalin junkies should also check out the more demanding options.
Cairo
And finally, you don’t have to go far for this one. Not as natural as the other locations but equally as fun, Ascent is an indoor climbing facility in Sheikh Zayed. Grab your friends and head over there and meet their funtastic team.
If you live on the Eastside and don’t fancy the trip all the way to Sheikh Zayed then head over to FingerLock in 90th Street. Dare to climb their 12M high artificial mountain with 20+ different routes. Suitable for all ages.
Footwear
Sensible footwear is essential when trekking, so it is worth investing in hiking boots that protect your feet and support your ankles. For actual rock and boulder scaling you really need specialized climbing shoes. Normally these have a snug fit, very little padding and a smooth, sticky rubber sole.
Cairo Climbing Walls
Although it is hard to beat the sheer thrill of getting out of town and exploring the great outdoors, you can still learn the skills and get in some practice inside Cairo.
FingerLock Climbing Gym operates from Concorde Plaza’s Gold’s Gym in Street 90, 5th Settlement. It is Egypt’s first rock climbing and bouldering school and gives sessions with workouts and techniques for beginners and intermediate skilled climbers.
You can also find a climbing wall in the gym at JW Marriott and Bounce Egypt. Rock ‘n’ Rope also has plans to open a climbing school in Cairo.
Contact info
Bounce Egypt
Location: Cairo Festival City
Tel: 2616 8255
Facebook: BounceEgypt
Website: www.bounceeg.com/x-park/
Dahab
Location: Desert Divers / Marine Garden Camp, Lighthouse, Dahab
Tel: 0100 404 0181
Facebook: sinairockclimbing
Website: www.desert-divers.com/climbing-sinai
FingerLock Climbing Gym
Location: Gold’s Gym, Concorde Plaza, 90th Street,5th Settlement
Tel: 0100 117 2456
Facebook: fingerlockegypt
Gouna Mountain Goats
Location: El Gouna
Tel: 0101 261 8910
Instagram: gounamountaingoats
Mario High Ropes Team
Location: Mokattam
Facebook: Mario-High-Ropes-Team (Message for enquiries)
Rock ‘n’ Rope
Location: Il Monte Galala, Ein Sokhna
Facebook: rocknropeadventure (Message for enquiries)
St. Catherine
Location: Mountain Tours Office, Sheikh Mousa, St. Catherine, El Milga
South Sinai
Tel: 0100 641 3575 (Salah)
and 0100 688 0820 (Sheikh Mousa)
Tel: 069 3470 457
Cairo
Ascent
Location: Eden Mall, Sheikh Zayed
Tel: 0102 085 9064
Instagram: @ascent_egypt / Facebook: @Ascent Climbing
FingerLock
Location: N 90th Street – Service Ln, First New Cairo
Instagram: @fingerlockegypt / Facebook: @FingerLock
