Cyclists.com

Around Khawr Fakkan (113 km)

Al Ghamarah, Hajar Mountains, United Arab EmiratesRoad

113 km
Distance
1,907 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,907 m
Distance
113 km
0200400600800m0 km255075100113 km628 m · highest, at 17.1 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for experienced riders able to tackle 1907m climbing over 113 km.

112.9km loop in UAE's Hajar Mountains from Al Ghamarah with 1907m climbing.

The route starts from Al Ghamarah, quickly reaching Daftah at 4.1km and then Shis at 12.5km, where the first climbs begin. Significant climbs include a 5.4km climb of 241m average 4.5% from 3.6km, a short 1.1km ascent near 12.8km, and a longer 18.7km climb of 606m with a max gradient of 18.7% starting at 83.1km, reaching the highest point at 629m towards the last third of the route. The profile features 39% climbing and 34% descending, with the longest descent stretching 9.1km from 65.8km and a total elevation gain of 1907m. Surface is mostly paved (96%), with just 1% gravel or unpaved and some unmapped sections. Roads consist of 53% major road, 32% main road, 8% minor roads, 4% quiet streets, and 1% paths. Nearly all (93.2km) on main roads lack cycle lanes and 47.3km are on roads with speed limits above 80 km/h. Key roads include Khorfakkan Road (30.7km) and Madha Road (26.4km). The route passes numerous towns, including Qidfa, Al Nahwa Old Hamlet, Nahwa, Madha, and Masafi near the finish. The longest stretch without café, shop or water is 47km between km 24.1 and 71.1.

Highlights

  • Climb to 629m at 101.8km high point
  • Passes beneath Jabal Daftah (878m) at 10.5km
  • Longest descent 9.1km from 65.8km
  • Wadi Shi Archaeological Site near 25.1km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Daftah 4.1 km
  2. Shis 12.5 km
  3. Ar Rufaysah 24.7 km
  4. Al Qadsia 28 km
  5. Qidfa 33 km
  6. Al Nahwa Old Hamlet 43.8 km
  7. Nahwa 46.1 km
  8. Sa‘d 47.5 km
  9. Madha 74.1 km
  10. Al Musalla 81 km
  11. Al Burdi 82.9 km
  12. Khor Fakkan 83.3 km
  13. Al Hutain 83.5 km
  14. Al Yarmouk 83.7 km
  15. Ghadf 108.6 km
  16. Masafi 110.5 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Jabal Daftah3.6 km5.4 km241 m4.5 %8.3 %604 m
—12.8 km1.1 km41 m3.9 %8.5 %581 m
—37.4 km2.2 km50 m2.2 %3.2 %114 m
—39.8 km4.3 km126 m2.9 %5.1 %244 m
Jabal Half47.1 km4.6 km226 m4.9 %9.3 %417 m
—59.5 km3 km66 m2.2 %3.8 %421 m
—77.9 km2.1 km57 m2.7 %5.3 %68 m
Jabal Daftah83.1 km18.7 km606 m3.2 %18.7 %629 m
—107 km3.5 km90 m2.6 %3.3 %451 m

High point 629 m at 101.8 km; low point 11 m. Passes beneath Jabal Daftah, Jabal al Qitayliyah, Jabal Muhammad Bin Salim.

Jabal Daftah · starts at 3.6 km

6.1 km at 6.5% · 396 m
400450500550600650700m3.1%6.5%9.4%0.6%0 km123456.3 km641 msteepest 9.4%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Jabal Half · starts at 47 km

8.7 km at 4.1% · 355 m
100150200250300350400m3.5%6.8%7.4%5.3%2.9%3.0%0 km123456788.8 km419 msteepest 7.4%

Jabal Daftah · starts at 83 km

18.7 km at 3.2% · 606 m
100200300400500600m3.5%5.8%3.2%5.3%8.7%4.6%4.1%1.7%12%0%0%-3.8%-0.8%-1.7%6.4%0 km1234567891011121314151617.2 km603 msteepest 12.1%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
53% major road · 32% main road · 8% minor road · 4% quiet street · 3% unmapped
Main roads
93.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
47.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Khorfakkan Road (31 km), Madha Road (26 km), Madha - Al Qitaylah Road (7 km), E199 (6 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
39% climbing · 34% descending · 27% flat
Steep sections
9.6 km over 5% · 2.3 km over 8% · 0.4 km over 10%
Longest descent
9.1 km from 65.8 km, dropping 351 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: 47 km, from 24 km to 71 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0.7 kmAl Aswaq · supermarket · 60 m off route
  2. 3.5 kmDrinking water · 160 m off route
  3. 11 kmAlsad Ice Cream - Branch 2 · ice cream · 40 m off route
  4. 11 kmMohamed Al Yoha Supermarket · supermarket · 50 m off route
  5. 11.2 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  6. 23.2 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 60 m off route
  7. 24.1 kmWishi · restaurant · 80 m off route
  8. 31 kmToilets · 120 m off route
  9. 71.1 kmDrinking water · 90 m off route
  10. 77.6 kmAl Madha Petrol · petrol station · 70 m off route
  11. 79.1 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  12. 82.4 kmin minde cafe · café · 240 m off route
  13. 83.3 kmConvenience store · 210 m off route
  14. 83.3 kmAl Enwan medical center · hospital · 90 m off route
  15. 100.2 kmEmarat · petrol station · 70 m off route
  16. 110.5 kmEmarat · petrol station · 290 m off route
  17. 110.5 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 150 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 25.1 km — Wadi Shi Archaeological Site (archaeological site)
  • 40.3 km — Wadi Madha Picnic Point (picnic site)
  • 87.6 km — Reservoir. Observation deck (viewpoint)

At the start and finish

  • Al Aswaq · supermarket · 630 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4½–6½ hours riding
Season
December with temperatures around 25°C.

Know before you go

  • 93.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane
  • 47.3 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
  • 47 km no café, shop or water between 24.1 and 71.1 km
  • Gravel or unpaved 1% of route

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

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