Road · United Arab Emirates
Kalba Hills Loop via Wahala and Jabal Naselah
A hilly 107 km road cycling loop from Kalba, Sharjah through Al Qilē'ī, Wahala and Um al Ghaf, with 1,296 m of climbing over Jabal Al Khasfah and the As Simsimānīyah climb. Most of it (96.2 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 21 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. The first 38 km has no café, shop or water.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 107.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,296 m
- Riding time
- 4–5½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 38 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Kalba
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,296 m
- 107 km
Route description
- Kalba
- Al Qilē'ī
- Wahala
- Jabal Al Khasfah
- Um al Ghaf
- Rāfāq
- Huwaylat
- As Simsimānīyah climb
- Sikhе̄bar
- Kalba
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.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Jabal Al Khasfah (4.2 km at 6.4 %) and the As Simsimānīyah climb (5.9 km at 3.2 %).
- Tops out at 407 m, 83.6 km in.
- A 5.5 km descent dropping 173 m.
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 | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 3.1 km | 1.8 km · 49 m · 2.7 % · max 3.9 % | — | 305 m |
| Unnamed climb | 7.9 km | 1.7 km · 74 m · 4.4 % · max 12.9 % | — | 314 m |
| Unnamed climb | 12.9 km | 1.7 km · 88 m · 5.3 % · max 11.8 % | — | 261 m |
| Jabal Al Khasfah | 44.2 km | 4.2 km · 270 m · 6.4 % · steepest 500 m 7.6 % | 4.2 km · 273 m · 6.4 % | 290 m |
| As Simsimānīyah climb | 78 km | 5.6 km · 187 m · 3.3 % · max 9.9 % | 5.9 km · 189 m · 3.2 % | 407 m |
| Unnamed climb | 87 km | 2.2 km · 76 m · 3.5 % · max 6.5 % | — | 384 m |
| Unnamed climb | 102.1 km | 1.5 km · 42 m · 2.8 % · max 6.6 % | — | 277 m |
Jabal Al Khasfah · full ascent, starts at 44.2 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
As Simsimānīyah climb · full ascent, starts at 78 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 90% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 21 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 64% main road · 22% motorway · 6% minor road · 5% major road · 3% other roads and tracks
- 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: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 38 km, from the start. Along the route: 6 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 2 petrol stations and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
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
