Kalba hills loop 90

Route overview

Riders comfortable with 90 km and 1,002 m of climbing in a day, with the hardest work early and again after km 60.

A 90.4 km loop from Kalba in the Hajar Mountains, with 1,002 m of climbing and a high point of 436 m reached in the first 5 km.

The loop starts climbing almost immediately out of Kalba: a 1.4 km ramp at 3.5% from km 1, then a steeper 1.7 km at 4.3% with a maximum of 12.9%, topping out at 436 m at km 4.6 - the highest point of the day. An unnamed 706 m peak stands close to the road at km 8.9, and the route then runs through the village of Munay at km 18.6 and beneath Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m) at km 23.7. The middle section is the gentler part, passing Wahala at km 43.9 and the hamlet of Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr at km 50.6 before dropping to the lowest point of the route, 7 m at km 57.7, where a Starbucks sits by the road. From km 59.9 comes the main sustained climb: 4 km at 5.9%, with a maximum of 10.2%, gaining 232 m to 257 m. Mara Lounge and La Brasseria fall on either side of Jabal Al Khasfah (464 m) at km 63.3. Two shorter climbs follow, 1.8 km at 3.6% from km 74.1 and 1.7 km at 3.5% from km 78.4, linking Minazif and Al Qilē'ī, with a 556 m peak nearby at km 79.2 before the return to Kalba.

Highlights

• High point of 436 m reached inside the first 5 km
• 4 km at 5.9% from km 59.9, the day's main climb
• Beneath Jabal Al Khasfah (464 m) at km 63.3
• Sea-level low of 7 m at km 57.7

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

3½–5 hours riding

Season

The single October recording showed 30°C, so cooler months are the more comfortable choice.

Know before you go

• Maximum gradient of 12.9% on the second climb, before km 5
• 30°C recorded in October
• No café or restaurant listed for the first 57 km

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