Colored Canyon, Sinai: Hiking Guide and Travel Advice
Short answer: the Colored Canyon in Sinai is a narrow sandstone gorge, roughly 800 meters long, in the mountains inland from Nuweiba on the Gulf of Aqaba. Its walls rise up to about 40 meters and show bands of red, yellow, orange and brown rock. It makes a short but scrambly hike, and because it lies inland in northern South Sinai, it needs more planning than a beach day, including a check of current travel advice.
This guide explains how the canyon formed, what the walk is like from end to end, how visits are normally organized, and what UK government advice says about the area in October 2026.
The Colored Canyon at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Inland South Sinai Governorate; the nearest town is Nuweiba |
| Distance | About 90 km north of Dahab, per Wikipedia |
| Length | Almost 800 meters |
| Wall height | Up to about 40 meters |
| Narrowest sections | Little more than 1 meter wide |
| Rock | Sandstone, colored by iron and magnesium oxides |
| Time needed | Our planning suggestion: 1.5 to 2 hours in the canyon, as part of a full-day trip |
| Possible bases | Nuweiba, Dahab or Sharm El Sheikh |
What Is the Colored Canyon?
The Colored Canyon is a slot-like gorge cut into the sandstone hills of eastern Sinai. Its Arabic name, Al-Wadi Al-Mulawwan, simply means “the colored valley.” It is not a monument or a museum, and nothing was built here. Its appeal is the rock itself: thin layers of color that change as the light moves through the day.
According to Wikipedia, the area was once under the sea, and water eroded the rock as it retreated. The popular science site Amusing Planet describes walls of sandstone that range from dark brown through red to straw yellow. It credits the colors to magnesium and iron oxides in the rock.
You will see the canyon spelled two ways, “Colored” and “Coloured.” Both refer to the same place.
How it differs from other Sinai canyons
Sinai has several canyons, and excursion lists in Dahab also mention a White Canyon. The Colored Canyon is the one known for its banded, multi-colored walls. If a trip description is vague, ask which canyon it actually visits.
What the Walk Is Like
The hike through the canyon is short in distance but slow in practice. Here is what to expect, in the order you usually meet it.
The approach
Trips reach the area by four-wheel drive over desert tracks. Before you set off on foot, put on sun protection and make sure your water is easy to reach. Your guide will explain the route and where the vehicles will meet you.
The narrows
Inside, the walls close in quickly. Some sections are little more than a meter wide, so you walk in single file and turn sideways in places. The walls rise up to around 40 meters overhead. The shade here is welcome on hot days.
Scrambles and boulders
Fallen boulders sometimes block the floor of the canyon, and you have to climb over or squeeze around them. Nothing is technical, but you will use your hands. Good grip on your shoes matters more than anything else you pack.
The exit
Whether you walk back the way you came or meet the vehicles elsewhere depends on the route your guide uses. Ask at the start, so you can pace your water and energy for the whole walk.
Who Is the Colored Canyon Suitable For?
- Good fit: Reasonably fit adults and older children who are comfortable climbing over rocks.
- Think twice: Travelers with knee, back or balance problems, and anyone uneasy in tight spaces.
- Not suitable: Wheelchair users and very young children who would need carrying through the narrows.
If you are unsure, tell us about your group before booking. A gentler coastal day may suit you better.
Official Travel Advice for the Colored Canyon Area
This is the most important planning point. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to North Sinai. It also advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of South Sinai, beyond the St Catherine to Nuweiba road, except for the coastal areas on the west and east of the peninsula.
The Colored Canyon is inland, north-west of Nuweiba. By our reading of its location, that places it in the northern part of South Sinai covered by this advice. Check the live FCDO page and its map before you plan a visit, because the FCDO states that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. US travelers should also read the State Department’s Egypt advisory.
The FCDO’s safety page adds two points that apply to any desert trip in Egypt:
- If you travel off road, use a qualified guide and get a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
- If a trip includes quad bikes, always wear a crash helmet.
For a broader view of current conditions across the country, read our guide on whether it is safe to travel to Egypt right now.
How Visits Are Organized
The canyon is reached by desert tracks, so it is not a place to drive yourself. Visits are organized as guided four-wheel-drive trips with a local driver who knows the route. Trips have traditionally started from Nuweiba, Dahab or Sharm El Sheikh. The farther your base, the longer the day.
We do not quote drive times here, because they depend on your starting point and the route your driver is allowed to use. Your driver or guide will confirm timing. Treat it as a full day either way.
Entry Fees and Opening Hours
The Colored Canyon is a natural site, not an antiquities site, so it does not appear on the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities ticketing site. We could not find an official entry fee or set opening hours in October 2026, so we do not quote any. Plan to be in and out of the canyon in daylight. Ask your organizer whether any fees or permits are included.
Best Time to Visit
The cooler months give the most comfortable hiking in Sinai’s inland desert. In summer, start as early as possible and avoid the middle of the day. Mornings and late afternoons in winter can feel cold, so bring a layer. Light matters too: the colors change as the sun moves across the narrow gaps overhead. Our guide to the best time to visit Egypt covers the seasons in more detail.
What to Bring
- Closed shoes with good grip; sandals are a poor choice for the boulders.
- Plenty of water; we suggest at least 1.5 liters per person, plus a snack.
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the open sections.
- A light layer for early starts and the drive back.
- A small backpack that leaves both hands free for scrambling.
- Your passport, which you should carry on any road trip in Sinai.
Our Egypt packing and dress guide has a fuller checklist for the whole trip.
Combining the Colored Canyon With the Coast
Most travelers who see the canyon are spending a few days on the Sinai coast. Our Red Sea Egypt travel guide compares the beach areas, and our Egypt and Red Sea tours page shows how a coastal stay fits after Cairo and the Nile.
The following packages end with beach days in Sharm El Sheikh. They do not include the Colored Canyon, and any desert excursion would depend on the travel advice and permits in force at the time:
- King Tut Dive: Cairo, Nile cruise and Sharm El Sheikh, 10 Days / 09 Nights, from $1,570 per person
- Hatshepsut Dive: Cairo, Nile cruise and Sharm El Sheikh, 10 Days / 09 Nights, from $3,160 per person
- 14-day Egypt family tour from the pyramids to the reefs, 14 Days / 13 Nights, from $7,600 per person
If you would like a guide with you throughout your trip, see our private tours with your own Egyptologist and driver.
Visit With Delta Tours Egypt
We do not sell a fixed Colored Canyon tour. On request, we can look at arranging a private visit with a licensed local driver and guide, but only where current official advice and permits allow it. If the canyon is not advisable when you travel, we will suggest coastal alternatives instead. Tell us your dates and fitness level through our tailor-made Egypt tours page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Colored Canyon?
It lies inland in South Sinai, with Nuweiba as the nearest town. Wikipedia places it about 90 km north of Dahab. Access is over desert tracks by four-wheel drive.
How long is the Colored Canyon hike?
The canyon itself is almost 800 meters long. Because of the narrow sections and boulders, it takes much longer than the distance suggests. Our planning suggestion is 1.5 to 2 hours inside, within a full-day trip.
Is the Colored Canyon hard to walk?
It is not technical, but you will climb over boulders and squeeze through gaps about a meter wide. Reasonable fitness and good shoes are enough for most people. It is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.
Why is the canyon so colorful?
The sandstone walls contain iron and magnesium oxides, which create bands of red, yellow and brown. Water erosion exposed these layers over a very long time. The colors shift as the sun moves.
Is it safe to visit the Colored Canyon?
By our reading, the canyon lies in the inland part of South Sinai where the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel. Check the live advice and your insurance before you plan a visit. If you go, use a qualified guide, as the FCDO recommends for all off-road travel.
Can I visit the Colored Canyon from Sharm El Sheikh?
Trips have run from Sharm, but it is a long day. Starting from Nuweiba or Dahab is closer. In every case, the current travel advice should decide whether the trip goes ahead.
The Colored Canyon is one of Sinai’s most striking landscapes, and it deserves a careful plan. If you want help weighing it against other options on the coast, our team will talk it through with you via our tailor-made tours.
Featured image: Narrow sandstone walls of the Colored Canyon, Sinai. Photo: Tanya Dedyukhina / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
