Road · United Arab Emirates
Hatta Dam and Generator Hill
A hilly 83 km road cycling loop from Kalba, Sharjah through Yaif, Al Qor and Hatta, with 738 m of climbing. Most of it (52.8 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 16.4 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 83.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 738 m
- Riding time
- 2½–4 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Kalba
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 738 m
- 83 km
Route description
- Kalba
- Yaif
- Al Qor
- Al Warqa
- Shariyah
- Hatta
- Suhaylah
- Huwaylat
- Al Wa'ab
- Kalba
This 83.1 km loop starts and finishes in Kalba, passing through places including Yaif at 7.6 km, Al Qor at 12.3 km, and Hatta at 44 km. The road surface is 97% paved with minor gravel sections and covers a mix of main roads, minor roads, motorways, major roads, quiet streets, tracks, and paths. Around 21.5 km are on main roads and 16.4 km fall on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more, including an 11.7 km stretch on the E44 road.
Climbing totals 711 m, concentrated mainly in the first half which accounts for 63% of the gain. Key climbs include a 3.4 km ascent from km 14.8 with a 2.9% average gradient, and shorter climbs with gradients up to 7.3% towards the latter sections. The highest point is 456 m near km 20. The longest descent covers 5.7 km with a drop of 181 m starting near km 63.2. Services are spaced along the route but expect an 18.4 km stretch without cafés, shops, or water between km 49.9 and 68.3.
Along the way, notable stops close to the road include the Masfut Museum and Old Castle near km 36.9, a viewpoint at 44 km, and Jabal Ruwayshid peak near km 54.4. Food and water are available near km 46.5 and shops noted around km 11.9 and 24.8.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 456 m, 20 km in.
- A 5.7 km descent dropping 181 m.
Highlights
- Masfut Museum and Old Castle near 37 km
- Viewpoint tower at 44 km
- Jabal Ruwayshid peak near 54 km
- Longest descent of 5.7 km from 63 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 2.9 km | 2 km · 52 m · 2.7 % · max 4.4 % | 362 m |
| Unnamed climb | 14.8 km | 3.4 km · 98 m · 2.9 % · max 4.2 % | 419 m |
| Unnamed climb | 18.5 km | 1.5 km · 42 m · 2.8 % · max 3.9 % | 456 m |
| Unnamed climb | 40.5 km | 1.4 km · 43 m · 3.2 % · max 6 % | 410 m |
| Unnamed climb | 57.5 km | 2.4 km · 84 m · 3.5 % · max 5.6 % | 386 m |
| Unnamed climb | 60.4 km | 1.3 km · 49 m · 3.9 % · max 7.3 % | 407 m |
| Unnamed climb | 73.2 km | 1.5 km · 44 m · 3 % · max 5.6 % | 278 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 64% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 16.4 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 26% main road · 26% minor road · 24% motorway · 15% major road · 9% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 52.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 16.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- E44 (12 km), Al Watan Road (8 km), Sharjah - Kalba Road (5 km), Al Rabet Street (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 22% climbing · 24% descending · 54% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.6 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 20.6% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 5.7 km from 63.2 km, dropping 181 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from km 50 to 68. Along the route: 16 cafés and restaurants, 5 shops, 3 water points, 1 petrol station, 6 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 11.9 kmConvenience store · 170 m off route
- 11.9 kmDrinking water · 190 m off route
- 23.5 kmRestaurant · 300 m off route
- 24.8 kmMadrid Foodstuff Trading · convenience store · 70 m off route
- 34.6 kmMasfut Hospital · hospital · 140 m off route
- 38 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 42.2 kmStones and eagles cafe · kiosk · on the route
- 46.5 kmAl Yamm Cafe · café · 60 m off route
- 46.5 kmDrinking water · 160 m off route
- 46.8 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 46.8 kmHatta Pharmacy LLC. · pharmacy · 50 m off route
- 49.9 kmBike shop · 260 m off route
- 68.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 68.4 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · 50 m off route
Worth a stop
- 36.9 km — Masfut Museum and Old Castle (castle)
- 44 km — Tower (viewpoint)
- 54.5 km — Jabal Ruwayshid (peak, 438 m)
Know before you go
- 18.4 km stretch without cafe, shop or water from 49.9 to 68.3 km
- 52.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 16.4 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- Up to 7.3% max gradient on some climbs
