Abu Dhabi to Al Ain

Route overview

Riders comfortable with a long, flat 153.6 km day, where the 413 m of gain matters far less than the distance.

A 153.6 km point-to-point desert crossing from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain, with 413 m of climbing and a high point of 270 m.

The route leaves Abu Dhabi at close to sea level, dropping to its lowest point of 21 m at 2.9 km before heading inland past the suburb of Al Haffar at 20.5 km. From there it runs south-east across open desert for some 60 km, gaining height gradually rather than in any distinct climb: 44% of the day's 413 m of ascent comes in the first half. Sweihan, at 81.4 km, is the first town of any size, followed by Nahil at 97.1 km, where a cafeteria sits just beyond at 99.3 km. The second half continues the slow rise, with the route briefly crossing into Omani territory and back before reaching its high point of 270 m at 131.7 km. The final 20 km tilt downhill through a string of villages — Al Mas'oudi at 139.6 km, Al Tiwayya at 144.7 km and Al Markhaniyyah at 149.5 km — before the run into Al Ain, where cafés are clustered at 152.7 km. With no categorised climbs and only 413 m of gain over 153.6 km, the difficulty is in the distance and the exposure rather than the gradient.

Highlights

• Sweihan at 81.4 km, the first town after 60 km of desert
• High point of 270 m at 131.7 km
• Long descent through Al Mas'oudi, Al Tiwayya and Al Markhaniyyah
• Point-to-point crossing from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Point to point

Riding time

4½–6 hours riding

Know before you go

• No café or restaurant listed between the start and 99.3 km
• The route crosses into Oman and back — carry documents
• Fully exposed desert riding; 23°C recorded even in November

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