Road · United Arab Emirates
Around Al Ain
A hilly 73 km road cycling loop from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi through Al Bateen, Jabal Hafeet and Shi'bat Al Wutah, with 827 m of climbing over Jebel Hafeet.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 73 km
- Elevation gain
- 827 m
- Riding time
- 3½–4½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Al Ain
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 827 m
- 73 km
Route description
- Al Ain
- Al Bateen
- Jebel Hafeet
- Jabal Hafeet
- Shi'bat Al Wutah
- Al Ain
The ride starts at Al Bateen and heads north through Al Maqam and Zakhir before reaching the base of the main climb near 25 km. The profile features a high point at 1040 m near 35 km on Jabal Hafeet; this is reached by a 10 km climb gaining 766 m at an average gradient of 7.7%, with sections up to 13.2%. The route includes mainly paved roads (99%) including 52% main roads with no cycle lanes, 36% minor roads, and 11% quiet streets. The longest descent is 11.3 km from 37.7 km with a drop of 767 m.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Jebel Hafeet (9.5 km at 8.1 %).
- Tops out at 1,039 m, 55.7 km in.
- An 11.1 km descent dropping 763 m.
Highlights
- Jabal Hafeet peak near 36 km
- 10 km climb gaining 766 m
- Longest descent 11.3 km dropping 767 m
- Al Bateen start and finish
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Hafeet | 46.2 km | 9.5 km · 766 m · 8 % · max 14.1 % | 9.5 km · 766 m · 8.1 % | 1039 m |
Jebel Hafeet · full ascent, starts at 46.1 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (34.4 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 39% main road · 38% quiet street · 22% minor road · 1% path
- Main roads
- 34.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 18 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Jabal Hafeet Street (25 km), Hazza Bin Sultan Street (13 km), Tawam Street (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 12% climbing · 13% descending · 74% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.9 km over 5% · 6 km over 8% · 1.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 16.2% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 11.1 km from 58.6 km, dropping 763 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. 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
- 4.7 kmAl Ajwa · restaurant · 350 m off route
- 4.7 kmQuality Pharmacy · pharmacy · 350 m off route
- 17.9 kmFast food · 380 m off route
- 29.1 kmAl Khaf Cafeteria · restaurant · 230 m off route
- 29.1 kmAdnoc Oasis · supermarket · 250 m off route
- 29.1 kmADNOC · petrol station · 270 m off route
- 34.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 110 m off route
- 35.3 kmBaqala · convenience store · 380 m off route
- 37.9 kmAl Sedra Cafeteria · café · 180 m off route
- 40.6 kmSabir Grocery · convenience store · 120 m off route
- 52.4 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 53.2 kmLe Belvedere · restaurant · 250 m off route
- 59.5 kmLavazza · café · 40 m off route
- 66.7 kmAl Sahra · restaurant · 390 m off route
- 74.6 kmJust Fresh · fast food · 100 m off route
- 81.5 kmDrinking water · 80 m off route
- 84 kmBurjeel Royal Asharej Hospital · hospital · 360 m off route
- 88.8 kmLa Brioche · café · 130 m off route
Worth a stop
- 48.2 km — Jabel Hafeet Parking (attraction)
- 74.4 km — نادي العين الرياضي . فرع زاخر (viewpoint)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- La Brioche (370 m), Starbucks (440 m), McDonald's (350 m)
Know before you go
- 36.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 15.5 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- No café, shop or water from 39.8 km to 53.6 km (13.8 km)
