Road · United Arab Emirates
Al Dhaid – Dibba Al-Fujairah
A hilly 106 km road cycling loop from Al Dhaid, Sharjah through Mayya, Tawiyean and Zahir al Ya'ad, with 1,170 m of climbing over Jabal As Sowdah and Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m). Most of it (60.7 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 58.8 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 94 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 4–97).
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 105.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,170 m
- Riding time
- 3½–5 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 94 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Al Dhaid
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,170 m
- 106 km
Route description
- Al Dhaid
- Jabal As Sowdah
- Mayya
- Tawiyean
- Zahir al Ya'ad
- Al Busserah
- Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m)
- المحترقة
- Sram
- Al Dhaid
This 105.6 km loop begins and finishes at Adh Dhayd, passing through Mayya at 32 km and Tawiyean at 38.5 km. The route features 1170 m of climbing, mostly in the first half, with the highest point at 518 m near km 28.9. Key climbs include a 5.4 km ascent from km 23.5 averaging 6.5% with sections up to 14.4%, and shorter climbs around km 9.5 and km 30. Most of the route is paved, with 98% paved surface and 2% gravel or unpaved track.
The ride includes 53.3 km on main roads and 39.6 km on minor roads, with 60.7 km on main roads lacking cycle lanes and nearly 59 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or higher, including long stretches on Al Shohadaa Road. The longest descent is 9.7 km starting at km 48.1 dropping 207 m. There is no café, shop, or water supply between km 3.6 and 97.2, making early preparation essential. Food and drink are available at a restaurant near km 3.6 and another close to km 97.2 near Saram.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Jabal As Sowdah (5.2 km at 6.7 %) and Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m) (6.4 km at 2.5 %).
- Tops out at 518 m, 28.9 km in.
- A 9.7 km descent dropping 207 m.
Highlights
- Highest point near 518 m at km 28.9
- Climb of 5.4 km at 6.5% average gradient
- Passes Mayya and Tawiyean
- Longest descent 9.7 km dropping 207 m from km 48.1
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 9.5 km | 3.6 km · 89 m · 2.5 % · max 5 % | — | 285 m |
| Jabal As Sowdah | 23.5 km | 5.4 km · 351 m · 6.5 % · max 14.4 % | 5.2 km · 344 m · 6.7 % | 518 m |
| Unnamed climb | 30 km | 1.5 km · 84 m · 5.7 % · max 8.7 % | — | 514 m |
| Unnamed climb | 43.7 km | 1.9 km · 47 m · 2.5 % · max 3.5 % | — | 285 m |
| Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m) | 77.5 km | 7.2 km · 171 m · 2.4 % · max 3.8 % | 6.4 km · 157 m · 2.5 % | 284 m |
Jabal As Sowdah · full ascent, starts at 23.5 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m) · full ascent, starts at 77.4 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 57% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 58.8 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 52% main road · 38% minor road · 7% major road · 2% track · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 60.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 58.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Al Shohadaa Road (52 km), Masafi-Dibba Road (7 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 24% descending · 52% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.2 km over 5% · 2.4 km over 8% · 1.2 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 11.9% at 26.1 km
- Longest descent
- 9.7 km from 48.1 km, dropping 207 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 94 km, from km 4 to 97. Along the route: 3 cafés and restaurants, 5 shops and 1 petrol station.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmADNOC Oasis · supermarket · on the route
- 0 kmADNOC · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 3.6 kmNujoom Al Saram restaurant · restaurant · 40 m off route
- 97.2 kmمطعم الوليمه · restaurant · on the route
- 97.2 kmبقالة الرويضه · convenience store · on the route
Worth a stop
- 14.7 km — Site 8 - 2 beehive tombs (archaeological site)
- 31.8 km — Jabal As Sowdah (peak, 635 m)
- 47 km — Site 3 (archaeological site)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Al Shuara Restaurant (260 m)
- Shops
- ADNOC Oasis (20 m)
Know before you go
- No café, shop or water for 93.6 km from km 3.6 to 97.2
- 60.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 58.8 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 2% gravel or unpaved track
