Kalba hills loop 111

Route overview

Riders comfortable with 110 km in a day; at 990 m of gain the gradients are mild, so it is more about distance than climbing.

A 110.7 km loop from Kalba in the UAE's Hajar Mountains, with 990 m of climbing split between two low rises early on and two more in the final 15 km.

The loop leaves Kalba and starts climbing almost at once: 1.5 km at 2.8% from km 3.3 topping out at 305 m, then a second 1.5 km rise at 2.7% from km 7.7, both beneath Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m). The road then drops to the low point of the day, 188 m at km 12.7, and runs on past a cluster of restaurants and cafés between km 21.6 and km 27.7. From km 29 the route threads the built-up coastal strip, passing Al Maqt'a, Khawr Kalba, Sour Kalba and Al Faseel, with Kalba itself at km 34.7 and Sakamkam at km 49.5. It turns inland through Yabsa at km 55.5, beneath Jabal Muthrad (380 m) and Najd Al Baqar (232 m), reaching a fuel station at km 60.1. The second half links Haleefath, Tarif Kalba, Ihfarah and Al Uqdah on gently rolling ground. The last climbing comes late: 1.9 km at 3.5% from km 97.3 to 294 m, then 1.9 km at 3.4% from km 101.7, cresting the high point of 318 m at km 103.8 below a 556 m summit. Munay at km 109.1 marks the run-in to the finish.

Highlights

• Two early rises beneath Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m)
• Coastal run through Kalba, Sour Kalba and Sakamkam
• High point of 318 m at km 103.8, below a 556 m peak
• Inland leg past Jabal Muthrad (380 m) and Najd Al Baqar

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4–5½ hours riding

Know before you go

• No café, shop or fuel listed after km 60.1 — carry water for the final 50 km
• Steepest ramps reach 6.3% on the climb from km 97.3, late in the ride

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