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Abu Dhabi to Al Ain via Khalifa Park

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Last ridden Saturday 16th November 2024

154 km
Distance
419 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
180° view from Marina Village - Abu Dhabi
Photo via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Elevation profile

Total ascent
419 m
Distance
154 km
0100200300400m0 km50100154 km310 m · highest, at 132.3 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for cyclists prepared for a long distance with moderate climbing and extended sections on fast main roads.

153.6 km ride from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain, UAE, with 413 m climbing mostly on paved roads.

This route starts in Abu Dhabi and finishes in Al Ain, covering 153.6 km with a total elevation gain of 413 m. The route profile is predominantly flat (96%), with a gentle climb starting around 132 km reaching a high point of 310 m. The lowest point is at 31 m near the start. The surface is 100% paved, with most of the distance (55%) on major roads and a further 36% on main roads. There are 8 km on motorways and minor roads or quiet streets make up 4%. Main roads without cycle lanes extend for 147.4 km, and 108.1 km are on roads with speeds of 80 km/h or higher. Named roads include Sweihan Road (52.2 km), Nahil Road (29.9 km), Al Fayah Road (23.7 km), and Ar Rawdah Road (12.2 km). Places passed include Al Haffar (20.5 km), Sweihan (81.4 km), Nahil (97.1 km), Al Mas'oudi (139.6 km), Al Tiwayya (144.7 km), and Al Markhaniyyah (149.5 km). Services available on route include several petrol stations, shops, markets, cafés and restaurants. However, there is a 47.1 km stretch without café, shop, or water between 34.8 km and 81.9 km. The start and finish towns have multiple options for food and drink.

Highlights

  • Al Haffar at 20.5 km
  • Sweihan Road for 52.2 km
  • Highest point 310 m at 132 km
  • Longest 47.1 km without café or water

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Sa' adah 3.6 km
  2. Khalifa Park 8.7 km
  3. Al Raha 21.3 km
  4. New Shahama 31.4 km
  5. Al Reef 32.8 km
  6. Sweihan 106.2 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Abu Dhabi climb180 km6 km679 m11.3 %19.7 %952 m

High point 952 m at 186 km; low point 1 m.

Abu Dhabi climb · starts at 179.7 km

6 km at 11.3% · 679 m
300400500600700800900m19%17%15%0 km123456.0 km952 msteepest 18.8%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
46% main road · 33% major road · 9% motorway · 8% minor road
Main roads
163.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
121.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sweihan Road (55 km), At Taf Road (30 km), Ar Rawdah Road (20 km), Rashid Bin Jabr Al Halami Street (11 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
5% climbing · 1% descending · 94% flat
Steep sections
5.3 km over 5% · 5 km over 8% · 4 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 13% at 186.5 km

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 111 km, from 54 km to 164 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0.3 kmAl Zali Refreshments · café · 140 m off route
  2. 0.3 kmDay Mart Hyper Market · supermarket · 60 m off route
  3. 0.7 kmAl Mulla Pharmacy · pharmacy · 110 m off route
  4. 4.7 kmStarbucks · café · 180 m off route
  5. 6.4 kmFatima Supermarket · supermarket · 200 m off route
  6. 6.4 kmADNOC Al Qurm (139) · petrol station · 120 m off route
  7. 9.1 kmParkafe · café · 300 m off route
  8. 18.6 kmADNOC · petrol station · 270 m off route
  9. 22.4 kmAl Decha Cafe · café · 90 m off route
  10. 24.4 kmMedeor pharmacy · pharmacy · 380 m off route
  11. 32.8 kmStarbucks · café · 260 m off route
  12. 32.8 kmWater point · 210 m off route
  13. 32.8 kmENOC · petrol station · 230 m off route
  14. 53.7 kmADNOC · petrol station · 30 m off route
  15. 105.7 kmDPSC Sweihan · clinic · 90 m off route
  16. 178.9 kmConvenience store · 350 m off route
  17. 178.9 kmFemale Toilet · toilets · 270 m off route
  18. 185.1 kmToilets · 30 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 24 km — Water Taxi Stop (ferry), 320 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 10.3 km — Al Maqtaa Fort (attraction)
  • 91.6 km — AAN2486 (viewpoint)
  • 174.6 km — بيت عبدالرحمن (attraction)

At the start

  • Day Mart Hyper Market · supermarket · 280 m
  • Day Mart · supermarket · 280 m
  • Al Zali Refreshments · café · 280 m
  • ADNOC Oasis · convenience store · 210 m
  • baqala Al Mohassan · convenience store · 270 m

At the finish

  • Al Khayma · café · 100 m
  • Lawrence's · restaurant · 20 m
  • Le Belvedere · restaurant · 20 m
  • Lavazza · café · 790 m

Stay after this ride

  • Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet · hotel · 10 m from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
5½–8 hours riding
Season
Nov
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 25–27 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 47.1 km without café, shop or water from km 34.8 to 81.9
  • 147.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 108.1 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

5 photographs from the road

Photo via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0