Cyclists.com

Hatta Dam from Kalba

Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesMixed

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 23rd April 2022

71 km
Distance
627 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Mixed
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Hatta Dam from Kalba

Elevation profile

Total ascent
627 m
Distance
71 km
0100200300400500m0 km20406071 km456 m · highest, at 46.6 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders comfortable with moderate climbing over 70 km.

71 km loop in the Hajar Mountains from Kalba with 612 m climbing.

The ride starts in Kalba and heads northwest, passing through Huwaylat at 14 km and As Simsimānīyah at 16 km. Just after Huwaylat begins a 6 km climb gaining 189 m at an average of 3.2%, peaking at 407 m. The route continues with smaller climbs near Sufayri and Hayl before reaching Hatta at 33 km. Beyond Hatta, the route heads south and passes Al Qor at 54 km before continuing on minor and major roads back toward Kalba. There is one notable climb of 2.8 km with 78 m gain near 43 km, reaching 456 m, the highest point on the route. The return leg includes a shorter climb near 62 km before descending back to the start. The route is 98% paved with about 2% gravel or unpaved track. It includes 29 km on main roads, 17 km on motorways, 13 km on minor roads, and 7 km on major roads. There are 53 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 21.5 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Food and drink can be found near 25 km and 36 km, with shops, petrol stations, water points, and toilets scattered along the way. The longest stretch without facilities is 16.4 km between 54 and 70 km.

Highlights

  • Climb to 407 m near Huwaylat
  • Highest point 456 m near Jabal Mudayrah
  • Passes Hatta at 33 km
  • Longest descent 5.2 km from 48.4 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Huwaylat 13.9 km
  2. As Simsimānīyah 16.3 km
  3. Sufayri 25.9 km
  4. Hayl 31 km
  5. Hatta 33.2 km
  6. Al Qor 53.8 km
  7. Sha'biyyat Milāḩ 56.4 km
  8. Sikhе̄bar 61.9 km
  9. Al Wa'ab 62.5 km
  10. Munay 65.2 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
As Simsimānīyah climb14.3 km6 km189 m3.2 %8.9 %407 m
—26.4 km1.7 km42 m2.5 %3.8 %365 m
—28.5 km1.3 km43 m3.3 %5.6 %409 m
—43.1 km2.8 km78 m2.8 %4 %456 m
—62.1 km1.4 km45 m3.1 %6 %279 m

High point 456 m at 45.8 km; low point 209 m. Passes beneath Jabal Abu Samasimah, Jabal Laim, Jabal Mudayrah.

As Simsimānīyah climb · starts at 14.3 km

5.9 km at 3.2% · 189 m
250300350400m2.1%2.4%3.5%7.0%0 km123455.9 km405 msteepest 7.0%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
41% main road · 24% motorway · 18% minor road · 10% major road
Main roads
53 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
21.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (8 km), Al Watan Road (7 km), E44 (7 km), D30 (5 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
21% climbing · 23% descending · 56% flat
Steep sections
1.9 km over 5% · 0.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 20.4% at 0 km
Longest descent
5.2 km from 48.4 km, dropping 125 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: 16 km, from 54 km to 71 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 13.8 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · on the route
  2. 13.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 80 m off route
  3. 25.2 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  4. 25.2 kmHatta Pharmacy LLC. · pharmacy · 80 m off route
  5. 25.5 kmAl Yamm Cafe · café · 70 m off route
  6. 25.5 kmDrinking water · 150 m off route
  7. 30.4 kmStones and eagles cafe · kiosk · 50 m off route
  8. 31.9 kmToilets · 280 m off route
  9. 35.6 kmJanam Café & Restaurant · restaurant · 70 m off route
  10. 36.5 kmZOOM · convenience store · on the route
  11. 36.5 kmENOC · petrol station · on the route
  12. 54.1 kmConvenience store · 160 m off route
  13. 54.1 kmDrinking water · 180 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 32.1 km — Tower (viewpoint)

Practical information

Surface
Mixed
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
2½–4 hours riding
Season
April, with temperatures around 29°C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 16 km longest stretch without café, shop or water (km 54.1 to 70.5)
  • 53 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 21.5 km on fast roads (80 km/h+)
  • 1.6 km gravel or unpaved track

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

4 photographs from the road

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