Cyclists.com

Kalba to Khor Fakkan

Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesMixed

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 30th December 2023

106 km
Distance
1,317 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Mixed
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Kalba to Khor Fakkan

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,317 m
Distance
106 km
0200400600800m0 km255075106 km627 m · highest, at 63.2 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

A ride suited for cyclists ready for moderate distance with steady climbs.

106 km loop from Kalba in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, with 866 m climbing.

This 106 km loop ride starts and finishes in Kalba, heading through several settlements including Al Farfar at 10 km, Yabsa at 16.6 km, and Khor Fakkan near 50 km. The first notable climb begins at 14.6 km and goes for 3.6 km, gaining 130 m at an average gradient of 3.6%, near Jabal Muthrad (380 m). The route passes multiple places such as Qurayyah (35.4 km), Madha (38.4 km), and Shis (65.9 km). The highest point is 623 m at 64.3 km, not far from Jabal Daftah (878 m).

Highlights

  • Peak near Jabal Muthrad (380 m) at 15.4 km
  • Highest point at 623 m at 64.3 km
  • Jabal Daftah (878 m) near 67.9 km
  • Climb of 13.8 km with 599 m gain from 50.5 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Farfar 10 km
  2. Yabsa 16.6 km
  3. Sakamkam 22.8 km
  4. Al Sharia 1 23.3 km
  5. Al Hilal 23.3 km
  6. Ishwais 24.1 km
  7. Qurayyah 35.4 km
  8. Sha'biyyāt Qirat 36.6 km
  9. Mirbah 37 km
  10. Madha 38.4 km
  11. Al Musalla 44.4 km
  12. Al Qadsia 44.6 km
  13. Al Burdi 45.4 km
  14. Al Khaledya 47.3 km
  15. Al Mudaifi 49.2 km
  16. Al Rifa'a 49.6 km
  17. Al Hayawah 49.8 km
  18. Khor Fakkan 49.9 km
  19. Al Hutain 50.1 km
  20. Al Yarmouk 51.1 km
  21. Ar Rufaysah 53.5 km
  22. Shis 65.9 km
  23. Ghadf 73.7 km
  24. Daftah 75.2 km
  25. Al Rimmani 80.6 km
  26. Bulaidha 81 km
  27. Ghura 81.7 km
  28. Murrah 84.8 km
  29. Al Bithnah 86 km
  30. Sa'if 86.4 km
  31. Al Ghizaimri 93.6 km
  32. Far`ah 94.8 km
  33. Madouk 97.3 km
  34. Saham 103 km
  35. Al Manzafah 103.6 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—14.6 km3.6 km130 m3.6 %7.2 %246 m
—41.3 km1.9 km55 m2.9 %5.2 %68 m
Dibba Al-Hisn50.5 km13.8 km599 m4.3 %16.4 %623 m
—66.9 km2.5 km83 m3.4 %8.2 %622 m
Far`ah climb94.8 km8.8 km225 m2.6 %5.5 %362 m

High point 623 m at 64.3 km; low point 2 m. Passes beneath Jabal Muthrad, Al Jabal Al Ahmar, Jabal Abu Ziba.

Dibba Al-Hisn · starts at 50.5 km

11.1 km at 5.9% · 657 m
100200300400500600m3.6%5.0%3.8%5.7%7.4%5.3%3.5%2.6%6.8%3.2%3.2%0 km12345678910111213.3 km681 msteepest 8.0%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Far`ah climb · starts at 94.8 km

8.8 km at 2.6% · 225 m
150200250300350m3.0%1.8%2.5%2.4%3.7%2.4%1.9%0 km123456788.8 km362 m

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
67% major road · 26% minor road · 2% quiet street · 2% main road · 2% unmapped
Main roads
71.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
56.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Road (18 km), Khorfakkan Road (15 km), Yabsa Bypass Road (9 km), Port Road (8 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
28% climbing · 32% descending · 40% flat
Steep sections
6.7 km over 5% · 2.1 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 22.5% at 0 km
Longest descent
9.6 km from 0.1 km, dropping 230 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: 35 km, from 0 km to 35 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 35.4 kmEmarat · petrol station · 60 m off route
  2. 41 kmAl Madha Petrol · petrol station · 140 m off route
  3. 42.5 kmToilets · 30 m off route
  4. 44.7 kmin minde cafe · café · 380 m off route
  5. 49.7 kmفيفا · supermarket · 80 m off route
  6. 50 kmAl Fouj · café · 100 m off route
  7. 50.2 kmADNOC · petrol station · 90 m off route
  8. 50.7 kmAl Enwan medical center · hospital · 90 m off route
  9. 54.3 kmWishi · restaurant · 100 m off route
  10. 55.3 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 90 m off route
  11. 67.2 kmToilets · 60 m off route
  12. 67.4 kmAlsad Ice Cream - Branch 2 · ice cream · 50 m off route
  13. 67.4 kmMohamed Al Yoha Supermarket · supermarket · 60 m off route
  14. 67.7 kmEmarat · petrol station · 100 m off route
  15. 75.1 kmDrinking water · 40 m off route
  16. 80.5 kmAl Safa Supermarket · supermarket · 40 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 23.4 km — Fujairah Station (station), 560 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 55.1 km — Reservoir. Observation deck (viewpoint)

Practical information

Surface
Mixed
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4–5½ hours riding
Season
December with temperatures around 24°C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest stretch without café, shop or water for 35.4 km from start
  • 71.5 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 56.2 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
  • 2.1 km of gravel or unpaved surface

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

4 photographs from the road

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