Road · United Arab Emirates
Jebel Hafeet Climb
A mountainous 42 km road cycling route from Mbazzarah Al Khadra, Abu Dhabi through Shi'bat Al Wutah and Jabal Hafeet, with 844 m of climbing over Jebel Hafeet. The first 29 km has no café, shop or water.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 41.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 844 m
- Riding time
- 2–3 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 29 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Mbazzarah Al Khadra
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 844 m
- 42 km
Route description
- Mbazzarah Al Khadra
- Shi'bat Al Wutah
- Jebel Hafeet
- Jabal Hafeet
This 41.5 km point-to-point ride starts near Mbazzarah Al Khadra at 0.5 km and progresses towards Jabal Hafeet, a peak near the road at 40.9 km. The route's lowest elevation is 246 m at 1.4 km, and it reaches a high of 1038 m close to the finish. The road is fully paved, with 85% minor roads and 14% main roads, including 22.8 km along Al Rihab Street and 13.7 km on Jabal Hafeet Street. Riders spend 5.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane and 11.8 km where the speed limit is 80 km/h or more.
The route features one main climb beginning at 29.8 km, climbing 761 m over 10.5 km at an average gradient of 7.3%, peaking at 1038 m. Gradients over 5% cover 8.3 km, with steeper sections exceeding 8% for 5.3 km, including 1 km over 10%. The steepest 500 metres reach 16.6% gradient at the start of the ride. The first 29.2 km have no cafés, shops, or water, but at 29.2 km off the route by 377 m is the Al Sahra restaurant. Toilets appear at 37.4 km, 38 m from the road. At the finish near Jabal Hafeet, Asphalt Café and Pentagon Restaurant are available.
Why ride this route?
- The most climbing per kilometre of the 4 rides from Al Ain: 20 m per km.
- Climbs Jebel Hafeet (9.5 km at 8.1 %).
- Tops out at 1,038 m, 40.3 km in.
Highlights
- Climb to Jabal Hafeet peak at 40.9 km
- Longest named road: Al Rihab Street (22.8 km)
- Steepest section at ride start (16.6% gradient)
- Toilets at 37.4 km, 38 m off route
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jebel Hafeet | 29.8 km | 10.5 km · 761 m · 7.3 % · max 11.5 % | 9.5 km · 766 m · 8.1 % | 1038 m |
Jebel Hafeet · full ascent, starts at 29.8 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 5.9 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 85% minor road · 14% main road · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 5.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 11.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Al Rihab Street (23 km), Jabal Hafeet Street (14 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 27% climbing · 1% descending · 73% flat
- Steep sections
- 8.3 km over 5% · 5.3 km over 8% · 1 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 16.6% at 0 km
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 29 km, from the start. Along the route: 9 cafés and restaurants and 4 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 29.2 kmAl Sahra · restaurant · 380 m off route
- 37.4 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 40.9 kmAsphalt Cafe · café · 100 m off route
Worth a stop
- 2 km — Jabel Hafeet Park Base (attraction)
Stay after this ride
- Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet · hotel · 2.3 km from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Asphalt Cafe (100 m), Pentagon Restaurant (100 m)
Know before you go
- 29.2 km without café, shop or water
- 5.9 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 11.8 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- Steepest 500 m at 16.6% gradient at ride start
