Road · United Arab Emirates
Munay Loop via Al Uqdah and Hanging Garden Kalba
- 72 km
- 1,144 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 1,144 m
- 72 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders comfortable with moderate distance and nearly 900 m climbing in the mountains.
Kalba loop 72 is a 71.8 km cycling route in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, starting and finishing in Kalba with 896 m of climbing.
The route starts in Kalba and passes through Munay at 5.2 km, then Fayyad at 14.1 km. Early climbs include a 2 km 2.4% gradient starting at 7 km, followed by two short climbs at 12.1 km and 14.7 km of 3.2% and 2.5% average gradients respectively. The longest and steepest climb begins at 17.1 km, climbing 224 m at an average 7.6% gradient for 3 km, reaching 552 m height around 20 km. After Al Uqdah at 30.8 km and lengthy descending sections, the route hits flatter ground near 39 km, the lowest point (3 m). Most roads are motorways (57%) and main roads (29%) without cycle lanes, including 39.9 km on Sharjah - Kalba Road. From the start until 38.7 km there is no café, shop or water supply. Café, petrol station and toilets are found just off-route around 40 km near WALFA CAFE and ADNOC petrol station. The route passes beneath peak Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m) near 10 km. The surface is 95% paved. About 28% of the route is climbing, with 7.7 km over 5% gradient and the steepest 500 m segment reaching 20.6%. The longest descent is 11 km dropping 259 m from 27.1 km. Places along the way include Harrah, Shia, Al Saaf, Al Ghail, Al Maqt'a, Minazif, and Al Qilē'ī before returning to Kalba.
Highlights
- Climb to 552 m summit near 20 km
- Jabal Al Miqsha peak at 10.3 km
- Longest descent 11 km dropping 259 m
- Passes 10+ named places on route
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 7 km | 2 km | 48 m | 2.4 % | 3.8 % | 305 m |
| — | 12.1 km | 1.4 km | 43 m | 3.2 % | 5.1 % | 275 m |
| — | 14.7 km | 1.9 km | 46 m | 2.5 % | 5.5 % | 321 m |
| Harrah climb | 17.1 km | 3 km | 224 m | 7.6 % | 38.5 % | 552 m |
| — | 42.2 km | 3.9 km | 269 m | 6.9 % | 19.9 % | 290 m |
| — | 51.7 km | 1.4 km | 91 m | 6.6 % | 12.5 % | 268 m |
| — | 54.2 km | 1.9 km | 67 m | 3.5 % | 6.3 % | 229 m |
| — | 56.4 km | 1.9 km | 99 m | 5.3 % | 8.5 % | 313 m |
| — | 60.1 km | 1.9 km | 65 m | 3.5 % | 5.4 % | 307 m |
Harrah climb · starts at 17.1 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 57% motorway · 29% main road · 7% other · 5% major road
- Main roads
- 64.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 37.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sharjah - Kalba Road (40 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 28% climbing · 33% descending · 39% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.7 km over 5% · 2.7 km over 8% · 1.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 20.6% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 11 km from 27.1 km, dropping 259 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 39 km, from 0 km to 39 km.
Food, water and shops
- 36.9 kmKalba Health Center · clinic · 150 m off route
- 40.1 kmWALFA CAFE · café · 60 m off route
- 40.1 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 40.3 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 45.8 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 90 m off route
Worth a stop
- 45.8 km — Hanging Garden Kalba (attraction)
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 2½–4 hours riding
- May
- Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 38.7 km without café, shop or water from start
- 64.6 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 37.3 km on roads with 80 km/h plus speed limit
