Road · United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi to Al Ain via Khalifa Park
A flat 154 km road cycling route from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain via Khalifa Park through Al Haffar, Sweihan and Nahil, with 419 m of climbing over the Abu Dhabi climb. Most of it (147.4 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 108.1 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 47 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 35–82).
At a glance
- Best for
- Long endurance days for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 153.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 419 m
- Riding time
- 5½–8 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 47 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Abu Dhabi → Al Ain via Khalifa Park
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 419 m
- 154 km
What it was like to ride
Route description
- Abu Dhabi
- Al Haffar
- Sweihan
- Nahil
- Al Mas'oudi
- Al Tiwayya
- Al Markhaniyyah
- Abu Dhabi climb
- Al Ain via Khalifa Park
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.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Abu Dhabi climb (6.3 km at 10.9 %).
- Tops out at 310 m, 132 km in.
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
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi climb | 179.7 km | — | 6.3 km · 689 m · 10.9 % | 954 m |
Abu Dhabi climb · full ascent, starts at 179.7 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 96% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 108.1 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 55% major road · 36% main road · 5% motorway · 2% minor road · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 147.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 108.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sweihan Road (52 km), Nahil Road (30 km), Al Fayah Road (24 km), Ar Rawdah Road (12 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 2% climbing · 3% descending · 96% flat
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 47 km, from km 35 to 82. Along the route: 21 cafés and restaurants, 22 shops, 1 water point, 4 petrol stations and 5 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 km1989 · café · 40 m off route
- 0 kmDepartment of Culture and Tourism · market · 40 m off route
- 0 kmMen's toilet · toilets · 30 m off route
- 0 kmBureel Smart Clinic · clinic · 80 m off route
- 34.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 210 m off route
- 80.3 kmDPSC Sweihan · clinic · 230 m off route
- 81.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 170 m off route
- 99.4 kmAl Anood Cafeteria · restaurant · 90 m off route
- 100.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 180 m off route
- 102.5 kmDrinking water · 220 m off route
- 130.6 kmمطعم عبدو · restaurant · 140 m off route
- 140.4 kmBaskin Robbins · ice cream · 130 m off route
- 140.4 kmGrand Mart · supermarket · 140 m off route
- 146.8 kmSama Al Huir Foodstuff Trading · market · 340 m off route
- 147.7 kmFast food · 130 m off route
- 148.8 kmCambridge Medical & Rehabilitation Centre · clinic · 310 m off route
- 152.9 kmLa Brioche · café · 110 m off route
- 153.2 kmADNOC · petrol station · 180 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Sheikh Zayed Festival (attraction)
- 66 km — AAN2486 (viewpoint)
Stay after this ride
- Basheer room · guest house · 3.3 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- 1989 (40 m), Home Bakery Kitchen (40 m), Gandofly (60 m)
- Shops
- Department of Culture and Tourism (40 m), Memory of the Nation (60 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- La Brioche (360 m), Starbucks (430 m), McDonald's (310 m)
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