Road · United Arab Emirates
Kalba Hills Loop via Wahala and Jabal Naselah
- 107 km
- 1,296 m
- Hard
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 1,296 m
- 107 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders prepared for a 107 km distance with 1085 m climbing.
107 km loop from Kalba in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, with 1085 m climbing on mainly paved roads.
Starting in Kalba, the route passes through Al Qilē'ī at 7.4 km and Minazif at 8.6 km before reaching Wahala at 26.4 km. Early climbs include a 1.8 km section gaining 49 m at 2.7% average and another at 7.9 km climbing 74 m at 4.4% average with a maximum of 12.9%. At 12.9 km there is a 1.7 km climb gaining 88 m at 5.3% average. The midsection includes a significant 4.2 km climb from 44.2 km gaining 270 m at 6.4% average, peaking near 290 m. Later climbs include a 5.6 km section from 78 km gaining 187 m at 3.3% average and a shorter 2.2 km climb from 87 km gaining 76 m. The highest point of 407 m is reached near 83.6 km. Most roads are paved (98%), but 2% gravel or unpaved. The route mainly follows main roads (64%) and motorways (22%), with 96 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 21 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or higher. Services are available from 38.3 km with cafés, shops, and petrol stations near Starbucks (41.1 km) and Habib Beirut restaurant (47.5 km). There is a 38.3 km stretch at the start with no cafés, shops, or water. Places passed include Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr, Um al Ghaf, Al Naslah, and Sikhēbar before returning to Kalba. The route features climbs beneath Jabal Al Miqsha at 6.3 km and near Jabal Naselah at 62.2 km.
Highlights
- Climb to 407 m peak near 83.6 km
- Passes beneath Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m) at 6.3 km
- Longest descent 5.5 km dropping 173 m from 92.7 km
- Wahla Fort castle at 26.4 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 3.1 km | 1.8 km | 49 m | 2.7 % | 3.9 % | 305 m |
| — | 7.9 km | 1.7 km | 74 m | 4.4 % | 12.9 % | 314 m |
| — | 12.9 km | 1.7 km | 88 m | 5.3 % | 11.8 % | 261 m |
| Jabal Al Khasfah | 44.2 km | 4.2 km | 270 m | 6.4 % | 16.9 % | 290 m |
| As Simsimānīyah climb | 78 km | 5.6 km | 187 m | 3.3 % | 9.9 % | 407 m |
| — | 87 km | 2.2 km | 76 m | 3.5 % | 6.5 % | 384 m |
| — | 102.1 km | 1.5 km | 42 m | 2.8 % | 6.6 % | 277 m |
Jabal Al Khasfah · starts at 44.2 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
As Simsimānīyah climb · starts at 78 km
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 64% main road · 22% motorway · 6% minor road · 5% major road
- Main roads
- 96.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 21 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sharjah - Kalba Road (24 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 27% descending · 50% flat
- Steep sections
- 6.4 km over 5% · 3.3 km over 8% · 1.4 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 17.8% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 5.5 km from 92.7 km, dropping 173 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 38 km, from 0 km to 38 km.
Food, water and shops
- 38.3 kmKiosk · 120 m off route
- 38.3 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 41.1 kmStarbucks · café · 60 m off route
- 41.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 47.5 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 80 m off route
- 77.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 80 m off route
- 97.4 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · on the route
Worth a stop
- 26.4 km — Wahla Fort (castle)
- 38.3 km — Wildlife observation (viewpoint)
- 47.5 km — Hanging Garden Kalba (attraction)
- 62.3 km — Jabal Naselah (peak, 178 m)
Practical information
- Mixed
- Loop
- 4–5½ hours riding
- October with recorded temperatures around 30°C.
- Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 38.3 km with no café, shop or water at route start
- 96.2 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 21 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 2% gravel or unpaved surface
