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Al Ain Cycle Track with Jebel Hafeet Extension

Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesRoad

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

93 km
Distance
910 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
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 overview

Suitable for riders prepared for a long ride with a sustained steep climb of 9.6 km and significant elevation gain.

92.8 km loop ride from Al Ain, UAE, including a steep 9.6 km climb on Jabal Hafeet.

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.

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 recorded track 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

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Jebel Hafeet46.2 km9.6 km767 m8 %15.7 %1038 m

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

Jebel Hafeet · starts at 46.2 km

10 km at 7.7% · 766 m
3004005006007008009001,000m10%12%14%10%8.3%3.5%7.0%0 km1234567899.6 km1,040 msteepest 13.6%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
39% quiet street · 37% main road · 22% minor road · 1% path
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 throughout
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

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: 15 km, from 56 km to 72 km.

Food, water and shops

  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)

At the start and finish

  • La Brioche · café · 300 m
  • Starbucks · café · 370 m
  • McDonald's · fast food · 270 m
  • BaskinRobbins · ice cream · 280 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
3½–5 hours riding
Season
October at 25°C
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 25–27 °C in those months

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.

2 photographs from the road

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

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