Cycling in Liwa

Cycling guide to Liwa

Liwa sits in the Abu Dhabi region and serves as the base for a single recorded circuit: a 107 km loop that also takes in Mzeerʻah and Mezaira. It is a route defined by repetition rather than one big objective, with 1,197 m of climbing accumulated across the distance and a high point of just 237 m. The only substantial climb comes early, beginning at 13.1 km. It runs for 1.4 km, gains 49 m at an average of 3.4% and steepens to 8.9% near the top, cresting at 219 m. After that the elevation arrives in smaller instalments, which is how a loop with such modest high ground still totals nearly 1,200 m of gain. Because the route returns to its start, riders can judge the distance in halves, with the neighbouring settlements of Mzeerʻah and Mezaira marking progress around the circuit.

Best time to ride

The loop has been ridden in January and November, with temperatures between 16°C and 25°C — the cooler end of the year is the practical window here.

Terrain

Rolling desert terrain with no sustained mountain climbing: the highest point on the loop is 237 m and the only measured climb averages 3.4% over 1.4 km, with a maximum of 8.9%. The 1,197 m of total gain across 107 km comes largely from repeated short rises.