After Kilimanjaro, I found myself caught up in a whirlwind of travels. Even after we returned, Cairo’s relentless summer heat – even those early morning hours that used to feel refreshing were now scorching hot by 7 AM. The thought of trekking to our usual Wadi Degla hiking spot felt overwhelming, so I kept postponing those weekend adventures.

Then last weekend UltraIbex,  a trail running group here, organized an event starting from the opposite end of the valley – a side I’d never explored before. That was all the motivation I needed to lace up my hiking boots again.

What a revelation this turned out to be! The landscape maintained that same mesmerizing beauty. This route offered something completely different. Instead of the usual climb up from the valley floor, you start from the top and gradually make your way down. There’s something almost meditative about descending into the valley, watching the rock formations rise around you as you go deeper into this natural wonder.

Here are some pictures from that memorable walk and run that got me back on the trail.