Al Aqah northern coast and Oman loop

Route overview

Riders comfortable with 100 km and 689 m of climbing, all of it concentrated in the first half.

A 101.3 km loop from Al Aqah up the coast to Khor Fakkan, inland over the Hajar Mountains via Nahwa and Madha, then back along the shore.

From Al Aqqah the route runs north along the coast through Sharm at 5 km, past Nehay and Al Badīyah, where the first restaurants appear at 8.7 km, and beneath the 288 m Jabal al Habil. The lowest point of the day, 5 m, comes at 19.2 km in Khor Fakkan, after which the road stiffens: a 1.8 km rise from 21.3 km at 2.9% averages tops out at 61 m and turns the ride inland. The main climbing starts at 33.1 km, just past the hamlet of Sa‘d and Nahwa: 6.2 km at 4.5%, gaining 276 m with a maximum of 8.6% and cresting at 385 m. The road continues to rise to the high point of 412 m at 42.6 km, then passes beneath Jabal Half (569 m) and a viewpoint at 51 km before dropping to Madha at 55.8 km. All of the day's 689 m of climbing is done in the first half. A second viewpoint at 65.7 km precedes a cluster of cafés and restaurants around 67-72 km at Lulayyah and Zubarah. From there the return is coastal and flat, through Haqil at 78 km and Rul Dadna at 93.1 km, back to Al Aqah.

Highlights

• 6.2 km climb at 4.5% from Nahwa, topping out at 385 m
• High point of 412 m at 42.6 km
• Madha at 55.8 km, beneath Jabal al Ḩabillih
• Viewpoints at 51 km and 65.7 km

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4–5½ hours riding

Know before you go

• No cafés, shops or fuel listed between 16.4 km and 67 km
• Maximum gradient of 8.6% on the main climb
• Coastal heat: 23°C recorded even in November

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