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Kalba Loop via Khor Kalba and Wahala Fort

Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 7th February 2026

94 km
Distance
1,279 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Kalba Loop via Khor Kalba and Wahala Fort

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,279 m
Distance
94 km
0100200300400m0 km2040608094 km313 m · highest, at 91.7 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

This ride suits cyclists fit for 94 km distance with 908 m climbing.

Loop route of 94 km around Kalba in the Hajar Mountains, UAE with 908 m climbing.

This 94 km loop starts at Kalba, situated at 0 km, and quickly climbs for 1.6 km at 5.1% average gradient reaching 315 m elevation early at 1.9 km. The route crosses several places including Wahala at 19 km, Al Ghail around 34 km, and Kalba Beach Road near 40 km. Initial climbing is mainly in the first third of the ride, with a mix of steep sections up to 13.8% and overall climbing of 908 m across the route. Road surfaces are 98% paved with no gravel sections and 44% of the route on main roads, including 30% on motorway and 8% on major roads. There are 20.9 km on fast roads with posted speeds over 80 km/h and 76.4 km on main roads lacking cycle lanes. Facilities such as cafés, restaurants, and shops are predominantly found around 30 to 45 km with a Starbucks café close to 32.9 km and nearby toilets, plus several restaurants by 70-78 km, but there is a 31 km stretch without café, shop or water from the start. Later climbs include a 7.5% average gradient over 2.6 km at 75.7 km with a max of 16.8%, and smaller climbs towards the end. The highest peak near the road is Jabal Al Khasfah at 464 m near 71 km. The ride has a long descent of 4.9 km starting around 12.3 km, dropping 84 m. This route is best done in February with temperatures around 28 °C.

Highlights

  • Early climb to 315 m at 1.9 km
  • Wahala Fort near 19 km
  • Pass beneath Jabal Al Khasfah at 71.1 km
  • Long 4.9 km descent from 12.3 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Wahala 19 km
  2. Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr 25.6 km
  3. Al Ghail 34 km
  4. Al Saaf 34.1 km
  5. Al Maqt'a 35.1 km
  6. Al Quala'a 38 km
  7. Khawr Kalba 38.2 km
  8. Al Mafraq 38.6 km
  9. Al Nighala 39 km
  10. Al Bardi 39.5 km
  11. Al Aoud 39.5 km
  12. Kalba 40.1 km
  13. Al Qadesia 40.3 km
  14. Al Sidrah 40.4 km
  15. Al Bateen 40.4 km
  16. Hitteen 41.2 km
  17. Al Musalla 41.2 km
  18. Al Khuwair 41.2 km
  19. Dhyatt 41.5 km
  20. Al Mughaider 42.1 km
  21. Al Mahatta 42.3 km
  22. Al Bhaies 42.4 km
  23. A'quola 42.4 km
  24. Darweshia 42.8 km
  25. Sour Kalba 43.3 km
  26. Al Husen 43.3 km
  27. Suhaila 43.9 km
  28. Tarif Kalba 46.6 km
  29. Ihfarah 54.1 km
  30. Al Uqdah 60.4 km
  31. Minazif 91 km
  32. Fayyad 91.6 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—0.3 km1.6 km81 m5.1 %13.8 %315 m
—5.2 km1.7 km89 m5.4 %12.1 %263 m
—26.3 km1.4 km44 m3.1 %6.7 %94 m
—56.9 km5.1 km112 m2.2 %3.1 %170 m
—62.3 km2.3 km97 m4.2 %8.3 %269 m
—67.9 km2.7 km84 m3.1 %6 %284 m
Jabal Al Khasfah75.7 km2.6 km196 m7.5 %16.8 %281 m
—83.4 km1.5 km82 m5.7 %13.7 %267 m
—86.1 km1.9 km71 m3.8 %6.8 %233 m
—88.2 km1.8 km82 m4.7 %10.7 %306 m

High point 315 m at 1.9 km; low point 1 m. Passes beneath Jabal Hafarah, Jabal Al Khasfah.

Jabal Al Khasfah · starts at 75.7 km

4.5 km at 5.9% · 266 m
50100150200250m5.6%13%0 km1234.2 km282 msteepest 12.6%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
44% main road · 30% motorway · 10% minor road · 8% major road
Main roads
76.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
20.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (28 km), Mohammed Bin Zayed City (6 km), Kalba Beach Road (6 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
26% climbing · 23% descending · 52% flat
Steep sections
7 km over 5% · 2.7 km over 8% · 1.3 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 16.4% at 78.6 km
Longest descent
4.9 km from 12.3 km, dropping 84 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: 31 km, from 0 km to 31 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 31 kmKiosk · 120 m off route
  2. 32.9 kmStarbucks · café · 70 m off route
  3. 32.9 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  4. 33 kmADNOC · petrol station · 100 m off route
  5. 36.1 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 200 m off route
  6. 41.9 kmAl Zaytoon · pharmacy · 100 m off route
  7. 42.7 kmBent Al Noketha Restaurant · restaurant · on the route
  8. 70.5 kmLa Brasseria · restaurant · 40 m off route
  9. 77.5 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 110 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 19 km — Wahla Fort (castle)
  • 30.8 km — Wildlife observation (viewpoint)
  • 35.7 km — Visit Center of Khor Kalba Mangrove Reserve (attraction)
  • 43.2 km — Kalba Fort (castle)
  • 77.5 km — Hanging Garden Kalba (attraction)

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
3½–5 hours riding
Season
Feb
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 31 km with no café, shop or water from 0 to 31 km
  • 76.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 20.9 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more

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

11 photographs from the road

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