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Al Dhaid – Khor Fakkan via Al Busserah

Al Dhaid, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

117 km
Distance
1,136 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Al Dhaid – Khor Fakkan via Al Busserah

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,136 m
Distance
117 km
0200400600m0 km255075100117 km533 m · highest, at 51.3 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders prepared for a long 117 km route with 1136 m climbing and fast traffic on main roads.

117 km loop ride in the UAE's Hajar Mountains, starting and finishing at Adh Dhayd with 1136 m climbing.

This 117.3 km loop begins and ends at Adh Dhayd, passing Tariqat Ja`d, Al Halah, Abadilah, Masafi, and Saram. The route includes three main climbs: a 3.9 km ascent starting at 9.1 km with an average gradient of 2.4%, a steeper 4.9 km climb starting at 41.7 km averaging 4.8% with sections up to 14.6%, and a final 6.9 km incline from 92.8 km at 2.4% average. The highest point on the ride is 534 m at 50.9 km, and the lowest is 74 m at 90.5 km, beneath Qarn Fardah (310 m) near 23 km. The riding surface is overwhelmingly paved (99%), with just 1% gravel or unpaved. The route covers a mix of roads: 59.1 km on main roads, 43.3 km on major roads, 11.1 km of minor roads, 2.1 km of quiet streets, and 1.1 km of track. Most of the ride (102.4 km) is on main roads without cycle lanes, and 91.8 km are on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The two longest named roads are Al Shohadaa Road (50.2 km) and Masafi-Dibba Road (42.4 km). The longest descent is 9.3 km starting at 66.2 km with a 255 m drop. Food and drink options at the start and finish include the ADNOC Oasis supermarket and Al Shuara Restaurant. Other places to refuel include Nujoom Al Saram restaurant near 3.6 km and Al Dahreez bakery at 61.3 km. There is a 49.5 km stretch without café, shop or water between 62.7 km and 112.2 km. Petrol stations are located close to the start, at 35.9 km, and 55.3 km. Archaeological site Site 8 with beehive tombs lies just off the route at 14.7 km, and Wadi Al Abadilah trails at 74.8 km.

Highlights

  • Al Shohadaa Road 50 km stretch
  • Three main climbs including steep 14.6% section
  • Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails at 75 km
  • Qarn Fardah peak (310 m) at 23 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Tariqat Ja`d 18.3 km
  2. Zahir al Ya'ad 18.8 km
  3. Zahir As Safwah 22.4 km
  4. Al Busserah 29.3 km
  5. Al Halah 36.6 km
  6. Abadilah 38.9 km
  7. Al Ghūnah 44 km
  8. Al Tayyibah 47.9 km
  9. Al Khalabiya 48.1 km
  10. Al Baha 48.1 km
  11. Al Ghamarah 58.2 km
  12. Masafi 58.7 km
  13. Ghub 91.6 km
  14. المحترقة 100.4 km
  15. Jerief 106.7 km
  16. Sram 109.5 km
  17. Saram 112.6 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—9.1 km3.9 km93 m2.4 %4.8 %286 m
Al Ghūnah climb41.7 km4.9 km235 m4.8 %14.6 %506 m
Zahir As Safwah climb92.8 km6.9 km166 m2.4 %3.6 %279 m

High point 534 m at 50.9 km; low point 74 m. Passes beneath Qarn Fardah.

Al Ghūnah climb · starts at 41.6 km

4.9 km at 4.8% · 235 m
300350400450500m2.0%1.8%3.4%3.2%5.7%3.4%2.3%0 km12345678.4 km506 msteepest 5.7%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Zahir As Safwah climb · starts at 92.7 km

7.2 km at 2.4% · 171 m
150200250m2.1%2.9%2.1%2.6%3.1%2.8%0 km1234566.4 km286 m

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
51% main road · 37% major road · 10% minor road · 2% quiet street
Main roads
102.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
91.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Al Shohadaa Road (50 km), Masafi-Dibba Road (42 km), Dibba Truck Road (8 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
24% climbing · 27% descending · 50% flat
Steep sections
2 km over 5% · 1.2 km over 8% · 0.8 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 13.8% at 45.7 km
Longest descent
9.3 km from 66.2 km, dropping 255 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 50 km, from 63 km to 112 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmADNOC Oasis · supermarket · 40 m off route
  2. 0 kmADNOC · petrol station · 30 m off route
  3. 3.6 kmNujoom Al Saram restaurant · restaurant · 50 m off route
  4. 35.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
  5. 55.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  6. 58.2 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 140 m off route
  7. 61.3 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 90 m off route
  8. 62.7 kmSupermarket · 60 m off route
  9. 112.2 kmمطعم الوليمه · restaurant · 40 m off route
  10. 112.2 kmبقالة الرويضه · convenience store · on the route
  11. 116.3 kmAl Shuara Restaurant · restaurant · 130 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 14.7 km — Site 8 - 2 beehive tombs (archaeological site)
  • 74.8 km — Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails (attraction)

At the start and finish

  • ADNOC Oasis · supermarket · 40 m
  • Al Shuara Restaurant · restaurant · 290 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4½–6 hours riding
Season
Mar

Know before you go

  • 49.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
  • 102.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 91.8 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
  • 1% gravel or unpaved surface

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

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