Kalba hills loop 95

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with 95 km and 847 m of climbing, none of it sustained but with a hilly final quarter.

A 95 km loop from Kalba in the Hajar Mountains, with 847 m of climbing split between an inland outward leg and a hillier finish.

From Kalba the loop heads inland, passing Madouk at 6.2 km and reaching Ihfarah at 22.9 km, just beyond the small peak of Jabal Hafarah (112 m). The first climbing comes here: a gentle 3.7 km rise at 2.3% from km 26.3 to 162 m, then a sharper 2.2 km pitch at 4.4% from km 30.5, with a maximum of 8.6%, topping out at 266 m near Al Uqdah. The middle of the ride drops back to the coast through Al Ghail, Al Maqt'a and Khawr Kalba, running through Kalba itself around km 52 and reaching the low point of just 1 m at km 55.6. The shoreline stretch north through Sour Kalba, Al Faseel and Al Sharia is flat and thick with cafés and restaurants. At km 68.2, on the approach to Sakamkam, the longest climb of the day begins: 4.5 km at 4.5% for 203 m of gain. The road then works inland past Yabsa and beneath Jabal Muthrad (380 m), with a 1.8 km rise at 3.6% from km 83.1 and a final 3.5 km at 2.6% from km 87.1. The high point of 371 m comes at km 91.8, just after Saham and Al Manzafah, leaving a descent to the finish.

Highlights

• Climb to 266 m above Al Uqdah, with pitches of 8.6%
• Sea level at km 55.6, the low point of the loop
• 4.5 km at 4.5% inland from Sakamkam
• High point of 371 m at km 91.8, close to the finish

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4–5½ hours riding

Season

Both recordings are from January, at 24°C.

Know before you go

• No café or restaurant listed in the first 18 km
• Nothing listed for food or water over the final 30 km
• Short ramps of up to 8.6% on the climb from km 30.5

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