Road · United Arab Emirates
Al Aqah Northern Coast and Oman
- 101 km
- 753 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 753 m
- 101 km
Route overview
Suitable for endurance riders able to tackle 689 m climbing over 101 km.
101 km loop from Al Aqah in UAE's Hajar Mountains with 689 m climbing.
Starting in Al Aqah, the route heads north along the coast passing Sharm and Nehay, then moves inland through Al Mudaifi and Khor Fakkan. Early climbing is moderate with a 1.6 km ascent gaining 55 m from km 21.5. The main road mix includes 54 km of major roads and 31 km of main roads, mostly without cycle lanes. After Al Qadsia at km 22.3, there is a longest stretch of 30.8 km without café, shop, or water until about km 53. Between km 30.7 and 39.5, the route climbs 356 m over 8.8 km averaging 4.1%, reaching the highest point near 435 m at km 42.7. Following the peak, there is a long 9.3 km descent dropping 356 m. The route features paved surfaces (98%), some quiet streets (6%) and minor stretches on paths. It loops back through Madha and coastal towns including Lulayyah and Haqil before returning to Al Aqah. Amenities are available at the start and finish with restaurants like estacoza seafood and Sapore. Other cafés and restaurants lie off route such as Ice Palace at km 8.7 and Lebannon Lights Bakery & Sweets at km 88.6. Toilets and some petrol stations appear along the route, but riders should plan for the significant stretch without services.
Highlights
- Loop through Hajar Mountains from Al Aqah
- Longest climb 8.8 km at 4.1% average
- Peaks near route: Jabal Half 569 m
- Longest descent 9.3 km dropping 356 m
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 21.5 km | 1.6 km | 55 m | 3.5 % | 5.4 % | 70 m |
| Jabal Half | 30.7 km | 8.8 km | 356 m | 4.1 % | 9.5 % | 419 m |
| — | 59.7 km | 2 km | 54 m | 2.8 % | 5 % | 66 m |
Jabal Half · starts at 30.7 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 55% major road · 32% main road · 6% quiet street · 6% minor road
- Main roads
- 85.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 32.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Dibba-Khor Fakkan Road (24 km), Madha Road (20 km), Omar Bin Al Khattab Street (10 km), E199 (9 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 15% climbing · 16% descending · 68% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.2 km over 5% · 0.6 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.9% at 36.6 km
- Longest descent
- 9.3 km from 46.9 km, dropping 356 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 31 km, from 22 km to 53 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmSapore · restaurant · 210 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 210 m off route
- 8.3 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 8.7 kmNew Al Jeel Supermarket & Spices Mill · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 9.7 kmADNOC · petrol station · 100 m off route
- 17.3 kmBin Moosa Medical Pharmacy · pharmacy · 70 m off route
- 17.9 kmAl Safeer Centre · supermarket · 180 m off route
- 24.4 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 53 kmDrinking water · 180 m off route
- 60.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 66 kmFruit, Vegetable & Fish Market · market · 60 m off route
- 67.2 kmBaskinRobbins · ice cream · 50 m off route
- 71.9 kmCafé · on the route
- 71.9 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 160 m off route
- 85.3 kmSupermarket · 50 m off route
- 85.9 kmToilets · 240 m off route
- 89.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 30 m off route
- 98.8 kmestacoza seafood · restaurant · 70 m off route
Worth a stop
- 8.3 km — Al Badiyah Fort (castle)
- 16.6 km — Waterfall (attraction)
- 68.5 km — Khorfakkan Beach (picnic site)
At the start and finish
- estacoza seafood · restaurant · 250 m
- Subway · fast food · 330 m
- Sapore · restaurant · 210 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 4–5½ hours riding
- Nov
- Dec to Mar — daily highs of 24–28 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 30.8 km without café, shop or water from km 22.2 to 53
- 85.5 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 32.2 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
