Road · United Arab Emirates
Jebel Hafeet from Al Ain
A hilly 72 km road cycling route from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi through Shi'bat Al Wutah, Jabal Hafeet and Mbazzarah Al Khadra, with 847 m of climbing. There is a 30 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 32–62).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 72.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 847 m
- Riding time
- 3–4 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 30 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Al Ain
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 847 m
- 72 km
Route description
- Al Ain
- Shi'bat Al Wutah
- Jabal Hafeet
- Mbazzarah Al Khadra
Starting in Al Ain, the route heads towards Shi'bat Al Wutah at 14.7 km. From 17.2 km, a 10.2 km climb gains 763 m at 7.5% average gradient to reach 1039 m near Jabal Hafeet at 26.9 km. The climb features sections up to 11.3% gradient. The road surface is 97% paved with no gravel. Over half the route (52%) is on minor roads, 40% on main roads, with 27.7 km on main roads that lack cycle lanes; some roads have speed limits over 80 km/h for 6.2 km.
After the climb, the profile descends gently to low point of 219 m at 53.6 km, with a longest descent of 10.9 km dropping 766 m starting at 30.4 km. The remainder of the route heads past Mbazzarah Al Khadra at 66.3 km, finishing nearby. There is a stretch lacking cafés or shops for 29.8 km between 32.1 and 61.9 km. Food and drink are available at Al Khayma café near the start, Lavazza café around 32 km, and restaurants plus shops just after 61.9 km. Toilets are positioned at start and near 32 km. Notable viewpoints include Jabel Hafeet Parking at 35.8 km and AAG6068 viewpoint at 46.5 km, beneath the 1108 m peak of Jabal Hafit.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 1,039 m, 27.3 km in.
- A 10.9 km descent dropping 766 m.
Highlights
- Climb to 1039 m near Jabal Hafeet
- Longest descent 10.9 km dropping 766 m
- Jabal Hafit peak at 1108 m
- Cafés at start and 32 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 17.2 km | 10.2 km · 763 m · 7.5 % · max 11.3 % | 1039 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (27.7 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 52% minor road · 40% main road · 6% other · 2% quiet street
- Main roads
- 27.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 6.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Jabal Hafeet Street (34 km), Um Az Zumoul Road (14 km), Hazza Bin Sultan Street (8 km), Al Rihab Street (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved and 3% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 16% climbing · 28% descending · 57% flat
- Steep sections
- 8.2 km over 5% · 5.4 km over 8% · 1 km over 10%
- Longest descent
- 10.9 km from 30.4 km, dropping 766 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 30 km, from km 32 to 62. Along the route: 11 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops and 4 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmAl Khayma · café · 180 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 180 m off route
- 31.8 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 32.1 kmLavazza · café · 40 m off route
- 61.9 kmShate Al Raha Cafeteria · restaurant · 70 m off route
- 61.9 kmSafaa Grocery · market · 70 m off route
- 68.7 kmAl Sahra · restaurant · 110 m off route
Worth a stop
- 35.8 km — Jabel Hafeet Parking (attraction)
- 46.5 km — AAG6068 (viewpoint)
- 68.1 km — Al Ain Kayak (attraction)
Stay after this ride
- ب ق أ · hotel · 2.0 km from the finish
- بيت عبدالله · guest house · 2.0 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Al Khayma (180 m), Le Belvedere (90 m), Lawrence's (100 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Al Sahra (280 m)
Know before you go
- 27.7 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 6.2 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 29.8 km without café, shop or water from 32.1 to 61.9 km
- Steepest gradient 11.3% on 10.2 km climb
