Road · United Arab Emirates
Munay Loop via Kalba and Generator Hill
A hilly 95 km road cycling loop from Sikhе̄bar, Sharjah through Al Wa'ab, Minazif and Shia, with 1,080 m of climbing over the Harrah climb and the As Simsimānīyah climb. Most of it (79.6 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 10.5 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 48 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 42–90).
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 95.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,080 m
- Riding time
- 3½–4½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 48 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Sikhе̄bar
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,080 m
- 95 km
Route description
- Sikhе̄bar
- Al Wa'ab
- Minazif
- Harrah climb
- Shia
- Al Saaf
- Wahala
- Rāfāq
- As Simsimānīyah climb
- Sikhе̄bar
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%.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Harrah climb (3.1 km at 5.1 %) and the As Simsimānīyah climb (5.9 km at 3.2 %).
- Tops out at 534 m, 21.5 km in.
- A 10.7 km descent dropping 255 m.
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
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 1.6 km | 1.4 km · 44 m · 3.1 % · max 5.9 % | — | 278 m |
| Unnamed climb | 7.9 km | 1.9 km · 48 m · 2.6 % · max 4.1 % | — | 305 m |
| Unnamed climb | 14.8 km | 2.2 km · 48 m · 2.3 % · max 4.9 % | — | 324 m |
| Harrah climb | 17.2 km | 4.3 km · 207 m · 4.8 % · max 11.6 % | 3.1 km · 158 m · 5.1 % | 534 m |
| Unnamed climb | 24.3 km | 2.5 km · 60 m · 2.4 % · max 5.8 % | — | 270 m |
| Unnamed climb | 42.7 km | 2.9 km · 86 m · 3 % · max 7.3 % | — | 96 m |
| As Simsimānīyah climb | 74.9 km | 5.7 km · 188 m · 3.3 % · max 9.2 % | 5.9 km · 189 m · 3.2 % | 408 m |
| Unnamed climb | 82.7 km | 1.1 km · 55 m · 4.8 % · max 7.6 % | — | 409 m |
Harrah climb · full ascent, starts at 17.2 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
As Simsimānīyah climb · full ascent, starts at 74.9 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 84% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 10.5 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 74% main road · 8% motorway · 6% minor road · 5% other · 7% other roads and tracks
- 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: 95% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved and 4% has no surface data.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 48 km, from km 42 to 90. Along the route: 4 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 3 petrol stations and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 36.8 kmKalba Health Center · clinic · 110 m off route
- 39.9 kmWALFA CAFE · café · 40 m off route
- 39.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 40.1 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 41.9 kmKiosk · 100 m off route
- 90.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 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)
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
