Cyclists.com

Evening Ride to the Flamingos

Dubai, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus and Stefan · Last ridden Monday 25th August 2025

53 km
Distance
14 m
Elevation gain
Easy
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Evening Ride to the Flamingos

Elevation profile

Total ascent
14 m
Distance
53 km
-20020m0 km204053 km9 m · highest, at 6.3 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders looking for a flat, moderate distance 52.7 km loop with minimal climbing.

52.7 km loop ride in Dubai with 42 m elevation gain on mixed surfaces and roads.

Starting at Al Thanyah 1 near Dubai, the route heads through Al Thanyah 3, Al Sufouh 2, and Umm Suqeim 2 before reaching Jumeirah Island 2 at 15.9 km. It then continues to Burj Khalifa and Za'abeel 2, dropping to a low point of -5 m at 28.7 km. The highest point at 9 m occurs near 6.1 km. The ride includes 31.2 km on cycle paths and lanes, 9.3 km on other paths, and smaller shares on quiet streets, main roads, minor roads, and a short motorway section. The route follows Canal Walk for 15 km. Surface is mainly paved with 83%, 2% gravel or unpaved, and 16% unmapped. The profile is mostly flat with 99% flat terrain and only 1% climbing and descending, with no climbs exceeding 5% gradient. The steepest 500 m section is 1.3% gradient at 34.6 km. Cafés, shops, water points, toilets, bike rental and petrol stations are available regularly, with the longest stretch without amenities being 3.7 km between 3.3 and 7 km. Bailout points include stations and ferry access.

Highlights

  • Flamingo Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary near 27 km
  • Burj Khalifa area at 21.3 km
  • Jumeirah Beach at 14.9 km
  • Canal Walk for 15 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Sufouh 2 3.5 km
  2. Umm Suqeim 2 10.5 km
  3. Al Safa 13.6 km
  4. Jumeirah 3 14.8 km
  5. Jumeirah Island 2 15.9 km
  6. Al Safa 1 18.4 km
  7. Business Bay 20.6 km
  8. Burj Khalifa 21.3 km
  9. Za'abeel 2 27.7 km
  10. Al Wasl 34.5 km
  11. Jumeirah 2 36.4 km
  12. Umm Suqeim 1 41.1 km
  13. Umm Suqeim 42.7 km
  14. Umm Suqeim 3 45 km
  15. Al Sufouh 1 47.5 km

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
60% cycle path · 18% path · 13% quiet street · 5% main road
Main roads
3.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Cycle paths
31.2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
Canal Walk (15 km)
Surface
83% paved · 2% gravel or unpaved · 16% unmapped
Gradient
1% climbing · 1% descending · 99% flat

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.

Food, water and shops

  1. 2.3 kmBoon Coffee Roasters · café · 90 m off route
  2. 3.1 kmCircle K · supermarket · 100 m off route
  3. 8.8 kmMed Art Clinic Day Surgery Centre · clinic · 110 m off route
  4. 9.9 kmToilets · 30 m off route
  5. 12.9 kmEmarat · petrol station · on the route
  6. 13.5 kmBW Cafe · café · on the route
  7. 18.6 kmCareem Bike · bike rental · on the route
  8. 21.6 kmLife Pharmacy · pharmacy · 60 m off route
  9. 22.8 kmToilets · on the route
  10. 26.8 kmAbukadra Cafe · café · 120 m off route
  11. 26.8 kmToilets · on the route
  12. 31.8 kmS'wich · café · 290 m off route
  13. 34.8 kmGolden Villas · bike rental · 130 m off route
  14. 36.8 kmEternal Poly Clinic · clinic · 30 m off route
  15. 39.9 kmWater tap · on the route
  16. 43.9 kmSingle Fin Cafe · café · 110 m off route
  17. 44.1 kmToiletten · toilets · 40 m off route
  18. 51 kmHive Board Game Café · café · 90 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 3.3 km — Palm Gateway (station), 710 m off route
  • 20.9 km — Marasi MTS (ferry), 30 m off route
  • 29.2 km — Dubai Design District MTS (ferry), on the route
  • 36.9 km — Dubai Canal (ferry), 350 m off route
  • 47.4 km — InsuranceMarket (station), 1.5 km off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 2.5 km — ARN Arabian Radio Network (viewpoint)
  • 11 km — Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach (attraction)
  • 14.9 km — Jumeirah Beach (attraction)
  • 26.8 km — Wildlife Sanctuary (Flamingo Lagoon) (viewpoint)
  • 49.1 km — Al Sufouh Archaeological Site (archaeological site)

At the start and finish

  • Caribou · café · 150 m
  • Bluemart Supermarket · supermarket · 280 m
  • Nando's · restaurant · 130 m
  • Hive Board Game Café · café · 510 m
  • 25- Degrees North · restaurant · 270 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
2–3 hours riding
Season
August with temperatures around 33°C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 25–27 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 3.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • A short 0.6 km section on motorway
  • Longest stretch without cafe, shop, or water is 3.7 km from 3.3 to 7 km

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

9 photographs from the road

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