Cycling in Kalba

Cycling guide to Kalba

Kalba sits at the coastal end of a network of loops that run inland into the Hajar Mountains, and most rides here are long: 68 to 155 km on the local circuits, with a 214 km point-to-point west to Dubai via Hatta. Routes head out through Al Qilē'ī, Minazif, Fayyad, Harrah and Shia, or north along the coast through Khawr Kalba, Sour Kalba and Sakamkam towards Khor Fakkan. Several loops cross in and out of Oman, taking in Um al Ghaf, Al Naslah, Rāfāq, Fashrah, Huwaylat and As Simsimānīyah before reaching Hatta and Hatta Dam, then returning through Sha'biyyat Milāḩ, Sikhе̄bar, Al Wa'ab and Munay. Climbing totals run from 565 m on the 97 km run through Yaif and Al Qor to 1,359 m on the 122 km loop linking Munay, Kalba, Generator Hill and Hatta Dam. Madha, Daftah and Al Bithnah feature on the 106 km Khor Fakkan loop.

Best time to ride

Rides are recorded from September to May. November and January have been as cool as 19°C, February around 22-23°C and December 24-25°C, while April, May and October readings run 27-32°C.

Terrain

The terrain is rolling rather than mountainous: high points sit between 286 m and 497 m, and the longest climbs measure 2-6.5 km at 2.3-6.3% on average. Steeper ramps reach 9-10% on the inland loops towards Wahala and Munay, while the coastal sections around Khawr Kalba are close to flat.