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Al Ain Cycle Track with Jebel Hafeet Extension

93 km road cycling loop910 m climbing3½–5 hoursGPX

Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · Road

A hilly 93 km road cycling loop from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi through Al Bateen, Al Salamat and Al Dahma, with 910 m of climbing over Jebel Hafeet.

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 28th October 2023

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At a glance

Best for
Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
Distance
92.8 km
Loop
Elevation gain
910 m
10 m per km
Riding time
3½–5 hours
moving time, estimated
Difficulty
Hard
Bike
Road bike
from the mapped surface
Surface
Paved
98% paved · 0% unpaved · 1% no data
Traffic
Some main roads
33.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane · 16.8 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more
Food & water
Longest gap 15 km
37 cafés and restaurants · 8 shops · 1 water point · 4 petrol stations · 4 public toilets
Best months
Dec to Feb
Al Ain climate, 10 years
Navigation
GPX download
free, no sign-in
Start and finish
Al Ain

Map and elevation profile

Qasr Al Muwaiji is the birthplace of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE
Photo: Michael Peter Glenister · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
910 m
Distance
93 km
02505007501,0001,250m0 km2040608093 km1,033 m · highest, at 58.3 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route description

  1. Al Ain
  2. Al Bateenkm 3
  3. Al Salamatkm 5
  4. Al Dahmakm 14
  5. Ni'mahkm 41
  6. Jebel Hafeetkm 46
  7. Shi'bat Al Wutahkm 71
  8. Zakhirkm 75
  9. 'Asharijkm 81
  10. Al Ainkm 93

Starting from Al Ain, the route heads through Al Bateen at 2.5 km and Al Salamat at 4.8 km, descending from 226 m to low points early on. The route largely follows paved surfaces over a mix of quiet streets (39%), main roads (37%), minor roads (22%), and a short cycle path (1%). About 33.4 km is on main roads without cycle lanes, with 16.8 km on fast roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits.

Between 46.2 km and 55.8 km lies the main climb on Jabal Hafeet, a 9.6 km ascent gaining 767 m at an average 8% gradient, with steepest pitches up to 15.7%. The peak is at 1038 m beneath Jabal Hafit mountain (1108 m). This climb is followed by a long 10.7 km descent dropping 760 m. Cafés and restaurants such as Lavazza and Asphalt Cafe can be found near 52-56 km, close to the climb. There is a 15.3 km stretch from km 56.2 to 71.5 without café, shop or water access.

The route passes through several towns, including Al Dahma (13.9 km), Ni'mah (41.4 km), Shi'bat Al Wutah (71.1 km), Zakhir (74.7 km), 'Asharij (81.3 km), and Al Markhaniyyah (85.9 km) before returning to Al Ain. At the start/finish in Al Ain, amenities include La Brioche café, Starbucks, McDonald's and BaskinRobbins. The route offers a total elevation gain of 928 m on mostly paved roads.

Why ride this route?

  • The longest of the 4 rides from Al Ain.
  • Climbs Jebel Hafeet (9.5 km at 8.1 %).
  • Tops out at 1,038 m, 55.8 km in.
  • A 10.7 km descent dropping 760 m.

Highlights

  • Jabal Hafeet climb: 9.6 km at 8% avg
  • Jabal Hafit mountain at 1108 m
  • Longest descent: 10.7 km dropping 760 m
  • Al Ain start/finish with multiple cafés

Along the route

Measured from the route line, the Copernicus elevation model and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Bateen 2.5 km
  2. Al Salamat 4.8 km
  3. Al Dahma 13.9 km
  4. Ni'mah 41.4 km
  5. Jabal Hafeet 54.6 km
  6. Shi'bat Al Wutah 71.1 km
  7. Zakhir 74.7 km
  8. 'Asharij 81.3 km
  9. Al Markhaniyyah 85.9 km

Climbs

Climbs in ride order: where each starts, what this ride climbs, and the full named ascent
ClimbStarts atOn this rideFull ascentTop on this ride
Jebel Hafeet46.2 km9.6 km · 767 m · 8 % · max 15.7 %9.5 km · 766 m · 8.1 %1038 m

High point 1038 m at 55.8 km; low point 226 m. Passes beneath Jabal Hafit.

On this ride: the part this route climbs, cut from its own elevation profile. Full ascent: the whole named climb, measured the same way on every ride that uses it (its climb page).

Jebel Hafeet · full ascent, starts at 46.2 km

9.5 km at 8.1% · 766 m
3004005006007008009001,000m10%12%14%10%8.3%3.5%7.0%0 km1234567899.6 km1,039 msteepest 13.6%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Traffic, surface and gradient

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (33.4 km in all) between quieter sections.

Roads
39% quiet street · 37% main road · 22% minor road · 1% path · 1% other roads and tracks
Main roads
33.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
16.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Jabal Hafeet Street (25 km), Hazza Bin Sultan Street (12 km), Tawam Street (5 km)
Surface
Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved.
Gradient
12% climbing · 13% descending · 75% flat
Steep sections
7.7 km over 5% · 5.9 km over 8% · 1.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 16.1% at 0 km
Longest descent
10.7 km from 59.1 km, dropping 760 m

Food, water and services

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

The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 15 km, from km 56 to 72. Along the route: 37 cafés and restaurants, 8 shops, 1 water point, 4 petrol stations and 4 public toilets.

Food, water and shops in ride order

  1. 4.7 kmQuality Pharmacy · pharmacy · 390 m off route
  2. 4.8 kmAl Ajwa · restaurant · 390 m off route
  3. 17.9 kmFast food · 360 m off route
  4. 22.7 kmADNOC · petrol station · 60 m off route
  5. 29.4 kmAl Khaf Cafeteria · restaurant · 210 m off route
  6. 29.4 kmAdnoc Oasis · supermarket · 230 m off route
  7. 29.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 250 m off route
  8. 34.7 kmsultan Polyclinic · clinic · 150 m off route
  9. 35.5 kmBaqala · convenience store · 390 m off route
  10. 38.2 kmAl Sedra Cafeteria · café · 180 m off route
  11. 40.6 kmADNOC · petrol station · 100 m off route
  12. 45.1 kmAl Sahra · restaurant · 400 m off route
  13. 52.2 kmLavazza · café · 70 m off route
  14. 56.2 kmAsphalt Cafe · café · 140 m off route
  15. 59.5 kmToilets · on the route
  16. 79.3 kmSupermarket · 90 m off route
  17. 81.7 kmDrinking water · 60 m off route
  18. 84.1 kmBurjeel Royal Asharej Hospital · hospital · 360 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 63.5 km — Jabel Hafeet Parking (attraction)
  • 74.4 km — نادي العين الرياضي . فرع زاخر (viewpoint)

Start and access

Starts and finishes at Al Ain. Mapped within a short walk of the start, from OpenStreetMap.

At the start and finish

Food and coffee
La Brioche (300 m), Starbucks (370 m), McDonald's (270 m)

Know before you go

  • 33.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 16.8 km on roads posted 80 km/h or higher
  • 15.3 km with no café, shop or water from km 56.2 to 71.5

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

3 photographs from the road

Photo: Michael Peter Glenister · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

About this route

Ridden by
Marcus
Date ridden
Route line
Built from a GPS recording of the ride.
Elevation
Recalculated from the Copernicus GLO-90 terrain model every 50 m, not the device’s barometer.
Roads, surface, services
Measured along the line from OpenStreetMap extracts.
Best months
Ten years of ERA5 weather for Al Ain (Open-Meteo).
GPX
Generated from the route line: track points only, no timestamps or personal data.
Page added
Page last updated

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