Road · United Arab Emirates
Al Dhaid – Khor Fakkan via Al Busserah
A hilly 117 km road cycling loop from Al Dhaid, Sharjah through Tariqat Ja`d, Zahir As Safwah and Abadilah, with 1,136 m of climbing over Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) and Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m). Most of it (102.4 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 91.8 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 50 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 63–112).
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 117.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,136 m
- Riding time
- 4½–6 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 50 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Al Dhaid
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,136 m
- 117 km
Route description
- Al Dhaid
- Tariqat Ja`d
- Zahir As Safwah
- Abadilah
- Al Ghūnah climb (506 m)
- Al Khalabiya
- Masafi
- Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m)
- Jerief
- Al Dhaid
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.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) (8.4 km at 2.9 %) and Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m) (6.4 km at 2.5 %).
- Tops out at 534 m, 50.9 km in.
- A 9.3 km descent dropping 255 m.
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
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 9.1 km | 3.9 km · 93 m · 2.4 % · max 4.8 % | — | 286 m |
| Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) | 41.7 km | 4.9 km · 235 m · 4.8 % · max 14.6 % | 8.4 km · 244 m · 2.9 % | 506 m |
| Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m) | 92.8 km | 6.9 km · 166 m · 2.4 % · max 3.6 % | 6.4 km · 157 m · 2.5 % | 279 m |
Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) · full ascent, starts at 41.6 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Zahir As Safwah climb (286 m) · full ascent, starts at 92.7 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 87% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 91.8 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 51% main road · 37% major road · 10% minor road · 2% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- 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: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 50 km, from km 63 to 112. Along the route: 5 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops and 4 petrol stations.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmADNOC Oasis · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 0 kmADNOC · petrol station · 30 m off route
- 3.6 kmNujoom Al Saram restaurant · restaurant · 50 m off route
- 35.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 55.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 58.2 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 140 m off route
- 61.3 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 90 m off route
- 62.7 kmSupermarket · 60 m off route
- 112.2 kmمطعم الوليمه · restaurant · 40 m off route
- 112.2 kmبقالة الرويضه · convenience store · on the route
- 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)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Al Shuara Restaurant (290 m)
- Shops
- ADNOC Oasis (40 m)
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
