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Munay Loop via Kalba and Generator Hill

Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesMixed

Route contributed by Marcus · Last ridden Friday 15th January 2021

95 km
Distance
1,080 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Mixed
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Munay Loop via Kalba and Generator Hill

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,080 m
Distance
95 km
0200400600m0 km2040608095 km502 m · highest, at 21.8 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Cyclists looking for a medium distance loop with steady climbing totalling 1062 m.

95 km loop from Kalba in the Hajar Mountains of the UAE with 1062 m climbing.

Starting in Kalba, the route passes Sikhēbar at 1.2 km and Munay at 4.6 km. The first significant climb is from 1.6 km lasting 1.4 km with a 44 m gain averaging 3.1% steepness. The profile continues with moderate climbs including one from 17.2 km over 4.3 km gaining 207 m at up to 11.6% gradient, reaching the highest point of 534 m at 21.5 km. The route includes varied road classes: 70 km on main roads, 7.4 km motorway, and smaller amounts on minor roads, tracks and quiet streets. About 95% of the surface is paved with a few short gravel sections totalling 2%.

Highlights

  • Highest point 534 m at 21.5 km
  • Long 10.7 km descent dropping 255 m
  • Viewpoint for wildlife observation at 42.1 km
  • Near peaks Jabal Al Miqsha and Jabal Naselah

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Munay 4.6 km
  2. Al Qilē'ī 12.2 km
  3. Minazif 12.8 km
  4. Fayyad 14.2 km
  5. Harrah 18.3 km
  6. Shia 18.7 km
  7. Al Uqdah 30.6 km
  8. Al Ghail 37.3 km
  9. Al Saaf 37.5 km
  10. Al Maqt'a 38.7 km
  11. Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr 47.2 km
  12. Wahala 53.7 km
  13. Um al Ghaf 60.2 km
  14. Al Naslah 62.9 km
  15. Rāfāq 64.9 km
  16. Fashrah 69.1 km
  17. Huwaylat 73.6 km
  18. As Simsimānīyah 87.8 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—1.6 km1.4 km44 m3.1 %5.9 %278 m
—7.9 km1.9 km48 m2.6 %4.1 %305 m
—14.8 km2.2 km48 m2.3 %4.9 %324 m
Harrah climb17.2 km4.3 km207 m4.8 %11.6 %534 m
—24.3 km2.5 km60 m2.4 %5.8 %270 m
—42.7 km2.9 km86 m3 %7.3 %96 m
As Simsimānīyah climb74.9 km5.7 km188 m3.3 %9.2 %408 m
—82.7 km1.1 km55 m4.8 %7.6 %409 m

High point 534 m at 21.5 km; low point 2 m. Passes beneath Jabal Al Miqsha, Jabal Naselah.

Harrah climb · starts at 17.2 km

4.3 km at 5% · 211 m
350400450500550m7.2%11%-5.2%0 km1234.1 km538 msteepest 10.7%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

As Simsimānīyah climb · starts at 74.9 km

5.9 km at 3.2% · 189 m
250300350400m2.1%2.4%3.5%7.0%0 km123455.9 km405 msteepest 7.0%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
74% main road · 8% motorway · 6% minor road · 5% other
Main roads
79.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
10.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (7 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
24% climbing · 25% descending · 51% flat
Steep sections
4.8 km over 5% · 1.4 km over 8% · 0.3 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 17.1% at 0 km
Longest descent
10.7 km from 27.3 km, dropping 255 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: 48 km, from 42 km to 90 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 36.8 kmKalba Health Center · clinic · 110 m off route
  2. 39.9 kmWALFA CAFE · café · 40 m off route
  3. 39.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
  4. 40.1 kmToilets · 60 m off route
  5. 41.9 kmKiosk · 100 m off route
  6. 90.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  7. 90.4 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · on the route

Worth a stop

  • 42.1 km — Wildlife observation (viewpoint)
  • 53.8 km — Wahla Fort (castle)
  • 59.7 km — Jabal Naselah (peak, 178 m)

Practical information

Surface
Mixed
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
3½–4½ hours riding
Season
January to October with temperatures from 19 to 27 °C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 48 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from km 41.9 to 90.3
  • 79.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 10.5 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher limits
  • 1.4 km climb at max 11.6% gradient

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

8 photographs from the road

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