Cyclists.com

Kalba Hills Loop via Wahala and Hatta

Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesMixed

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 7th January 2023

117 km
Distance
1,315 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Mixed
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Kalba Hills Loop via Wahala and Hatta

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,315 m
Distance
117 km
0100200300400500m0 km255075100117 km471 m · highest, at 15.8 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

This ride suits cyclists prepared for a long distance with moderate climbing and some fast main roads.

117 km loop ride in the Hajar Mountains from Kalba, UAE, with 1022 m climbing.

Starting from Kalba, the route passes through Al Qilē'ī at 7.4 km and continues to Minazif and Fayyad before reaching climbs starting at 3.2 km and 10.3 km with gradients up to 5%. A longer climb of 2.9 km averaging 5.3% occurs near Harrah and Shia around km 14. The route includes varied road types, with 48.8 km on main roads and 38.1 km on motorways, mostly without cycle lanes. The surface is mostly paved (95%) with 2% gravel and 3% unmapped. The ride features multiple climbs up to 5.7 km long, with the longest descent lasting 4.7 km. Key places visited include Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr, Wahala, Hatta, and Munay. Facilities along the way include restaurants, cafés, fast food, kiosks, supermarkets, petrol stations at km 29.4, 63.6 and 87.5, and toilets near km 29.4, 74.8, and 80.5. There is a 32 km stretch without café, shop, or water from km 31.4 to 63.6. Peaks near the road include Jabal Al Miqsha, Jabal Naselah, Jabal Abu Samasimah, Jabal Laim, and Jabal Mudayrah.

Highlights

  • Climb of 2.9 km at 5.3% average gradient near Harrah
  • Peaks near road: Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m), Jabal Abu Samasimah (550 m)
  • Longest descent 4.7 km dropping 266 m
  • 32 km without café, shop, or water between km 31.4 and 63.6

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Qilē'ī 7.4 km
  2. Minazif 8 km
  3. Fayyad 10 km
  4. Harrah 14.1 km
  5. Shia 14.3 km
  6. Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr 36.4 km
  7. Wahala 43.1 km
  8. Um al Ghaf 49.3 km
  9. Al Naslah 52.2 km
  10. Rāfāq 54.1 km
  11. Fashrah 58.6 km
  12. Huwaylat 62.9 km
  13. As Simsimānīyah 65.9 km
  14. Sufayri 75.4 km
  15. Hayl 78.6 km
  16. Hatta 81.3 km
  17. Sha'biyyat Milāḩ 102.4 km
  18. Al Qor 103.3 km
  19. Yaif 105.8 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—3.2 km1.9 km48 m2.6 %3.6 %305 m
—10.3 km2.3 km52 m2.3 %5 %323 m
—12.8 km2.9 km151 m5.3 %10.2 %477 m
—20.4 km2.2 km59 m2.6 %3.9 %258 m
—33.1 km1.6 km57 m3.7 %8.2 %92 m
As Simsimānīyah climb64.1 km5.7 km187 m3.3 %9.6 %406 m
—75.7 km2 km48 m2.4 %3.8 %366 m
—90.9 km2.9 km78 m2.7 %4.2 %454 m

High point 507 m at 15.8 km; low point 2 m. Passes beneath Jabal Al Miqsha, Jabal Naselah, Jabal Abu Samasimah.

As Simsimānīyah climb · starts at 64.1 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
42% main road · 33% motorway · 8% major road · 6% minor road
Main roads
96.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
34.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (16 km), Al Watan Road (15 km), E44 (6 km), D30 (5 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
26% climbing · 22% descending · 52% flat
Steep sections
2.8 km over 5% · 1 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 18% at 0 km
Longest descent
4.7 km from 23.5 km, dropping 266 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: 32 km, from 31 km to 64 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 23.9 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 60 m off route
  2. 29.4 kmStarbucks · café · on the route
  3. 29.4 kmToilets · 30 m off route
  4. 29.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 180 m off route
  5. 31.4 kmKiosk · 100 m off route
  6. 63.6 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · 80 m off route
  7. 63.6 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  8. 74.8 kmToilets · 60 m off route
  9. 75.1 kmAl Yamm Cafe · café · 90 m off route
  10. 75.1 kmDrinking water · 150 m off route
  11. 79.2 kmStones and eagles cafe · kiosk · 100 m off route
  12. 80.5 kmToilets · 300 m off route
  13. 83.7 kmHatta Pharmacy LLC. · pharmacy · 30 m off route
  14. 84.8 kmZOOM · convenience store · 110 m off route
  15. 85 kmJust Burger · fast food · on the route
  16. 87.5 kmENOC · petrol station · 110 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 23.9 km — Hanging Garden Kalba (attraction)
  • 31.4 km — Wildlife observation (viewpoint)
  • 43.2 km — Wahla Fort (castle)
  • 49 km — Jabal Naselah (peak, 178 m)
  • 80.7 km — Tower (viewpoint)

Practical information

Surface
Mixed
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4½–6 hours riding
Season
Jan
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 32 km without café, shop or water from km 31.4 to 63.6
  • Nearly 97 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 34 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more
  • 2% gravel or unpaved surface

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

3 photographs from the road

More rides from Kalba