Kalba – Shinas hills loop 84

Route overview

Suits fit riders comfortable with 84 km and 868 m of climbing, most of it in the first half.

An 83.7 km loop from Kalba into the Hajar Mountains, crossing into Oman and back, with 868 m of climbing.

From Kalba the route heads inland and starts climbing almost at once. A 1.5 km rise at 3.5% from km 6.1 is followed by a steeper 1.7 km at 4.4% topping out at 436 m, then the road passes the village of Al 'Ijēlī at km 14.6, where drinking water is listed. A third short climb from km 17.9 averages 3.9% with a maximum of 11.8% and leads to the high point of the route, 438 m at km 19.3, beneath a 706 m peak. The middle section runs through Yaif, Al Qor and Sha'biyyat Milāḩ, with two longer but gentler drags from km 38.2 and km 41.7, both around 2.5-2.8%, passing beneath Jabal Mudayrah (472 m) and Jabal Laim (420 m). Food and drink appear from km 52.6 onwards. Past Jabal Abu Samasimah (550 m) the route reaches Hayl and Hatta at km 60, where a tower viewpoint and further cafés are listed. Two final climbs at km 64 and km 66.8, the second averaging 5.3% with a 10.9% maximum, precede a long descent through As Simsimānīyah and Huwaylat to the low point of 194 m at km 75.2, then Sikhēbar, Al Wa'ab and Munay before the return to Kalba.

Highlights

• High point of 438 m at km 19.3, under a 706 m peak
• Hatta at km 60 with a tower viewpoint and cafés
• Past Jabal Mudayrah (472 m) and Jabal Laim (420 m)
• Cross-border loop between the UAE and Oman

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

3–4½ hours riding

Season

The single November recording showed 19°C, a comfortable temperature for this terrain.

Know before you go

• Route crosses into Oman and back into the UAE - carry documents
• No water, café or restaurant listed between km 15 and km 52.6
• Short ramps to 11.8% on the climb from km 17.9

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