Road · United Arab Emirates
Hatta Dam from Kalba
A hilly 71 km road cycling loop from Kalba, Sharjah through Huwaylat, As Simsimānīyah and Hatta, with 627 m of climbing over the As Simsimānīyah climb. Most of it (53 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 21.5 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 71.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 627 m
- Riding time
- 2½–4 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 16 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Kalba
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 627 m
- 71 km
Route description
- Kalba
- Huwaylat
- As Simsimānīyah climb
- As Simsimānīyah
- Sufayri
- Hatta
- Al Qor
- Sikhе̄bar
- Al Wa'ab
- Kalba
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.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the As Simsimānīyah climb (5.9 km at 3.2 %).
- Tops out at 456 m, 45.8 km in.
- A 5.2 km descent dropping 125 m.
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
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As Simsimānīyah climb | 14.3 km | 6 km · 189 m · 3.2 % · max 8.9 % | 5.9 km · 189 m · 3.2 % | 407 m |
| Unnamed climb | 26.4 km | 1.7 km · 42 m · 2.5 % · max 3.8 % | — | 365 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.5 km | 1.3 km · 43 m · 3.3 % · max 5.6 % | — | 409 m |
| Unnamed climb | 43.1 km | 2.8 km · 78 m · 2.8 % · max 4 % | — | 456 m |
| Unnamed climb | 62.1 km | 1.4 km · 45 m · 3.1 % · max 6 % | — | 279 m |
As Simsimānīyah climb · full ascent, starts at 14.3 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 74% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 21.5 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 41% main road · 24% motorway · 18% minor road · 10% major road · 7% other roads and tracks
- 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: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 16 km, from km 54 to 71. Along the route: 14 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops, 2 water points, 4 petrol stations and 5 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 13.8 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · on the route
- 13.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 80 m off route
- 25.2 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 25.2 kmHatta Pharmacy LLC. · pharmacy · 80 m off route
- 25.5 kmAl Yamm Cafe · café · 70 m off route
- 25.5 kmDrinking water · 150 m off route
- 30.4 kmStones and eagles cafe · kiosk · 50 m off route
- 31.9 kmToilets · 280 m off route
- 35.6 kmJanam Café & Restaurant · restaurant · 70 m off route
- 36.5 kmZOOM · convenience store · on the route
- 36.5 kmENOC · petrol station · on the route
- 54.1 kmConvenience store · 160 m off route
- 54.1 kmDrinking water · 180 m off route
Worth a stop
- 32.1 km — Tower (viewpoint)
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
