Road · United Arab Emirates
Munay Loop via Wahala Fort and Hanging Garden
- 90 km
- 1,320 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 1,320 m
- 90 km
Route overview
This ride suits experienced cyclists prepared for 90 km with 1000 m climbing on fast main roads.
Kalba hills loop 90 is a 90 km ride in the Hajar Mountains around Kalba, UAE, with 1002 m of climbing.
The route starts in Kalba and heads to Munay at 18.6 km, then continues to Wahala at 43.9 km. After Wahala, it passes Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr at 50.6 km, followed by Minazif at 77 km and Al Qilē'ī at 78.2 km before returning to Kalba. The ride features multiple climbs including early ascents reaching up to 450 m, with an overall elevation gain of 1002 m. The highest point of the route is at 450 m near 8.8 km, while the lowest point is 2 m at 56.5 km. Roads are mainly motorways (53%) and main roads (41%), totaling 87.6 km without cycle lanes, with nearly half of the route on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Almost all surfaces (99%) are paved, except for a short 1% of gravel or unpaved track near the route. The ride follows Sharjah - Kalba Road for nearly 50 km. There is a long stretch of 55.9 km from the start before any café, shop or water, but shops, toilets, food, and petrol stations are found around the 55-64 km mark off route by under 220 m. Wahla Fort and a wildlife observation viewpoint are near the route around 44-56 km, and the Hanging Garden Kalba attraction lies near 63.7 km. Climbing includes several ascents exceeding 5% gradient, with the longest climb lasting 4.1 km averaging 6.3%, and some short sections maxing out above 13%. The largest continuous descent is 3.7 km dropping 84 m. Peaks near the road are Jabal Al Miqsha at 400 m near 23.7 km and Jabal Al Khasfah at 464 m near 63.3 km.
Highlights
- Wahla Fort near 44 km
- Wildlife observation viewpoint near 55.7 km
- Hanging Garden Kalba near 63.7 km
- Peaks Jabal Al Miqsha and Jabal Al Khasfah nearby
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 0.9 km | 1.5 km | 62 m | 4.1 % | 8.2 % | 380 m |
| — | 3 km | 1.8 km | 82 m | 4.5 % | 7.2 % | 449 m |
| — | 7.3 km | 1.5 km | 47 m | 3.2 % | 5.1 % | 450 m |
| — | 20.5 km | 1.9 km | 49 m | 2.6 % | 4.1 % | 305 m |
| — | 25.4 km | 1.4 km | 82 m | 5.8 % | 13.8 % | 315 m |
| — | 30.1 km | 1.8 km | 95 m | 5.2 % | 12.1 % | 267 m |
| — | 51.2 km | 1.2 km | 45 m | 3.7 % | 7.6 % | 94 m |
| — | 59.9 km | 4.1 km | 260 m | 6.3 % | 11.1 % | 279 m |
| — | 69.3 km | 1.6 km | 77 m | 4.8 % | 13.7 % | 267 m |
| — | 72.1 km | 1.9 km | 65 m | 3.5 % | 6.7 % | 228 m |
| — | 74.1 km | 1.8 km | 89 m | 4.9 % | 10.4 % | 310 m |
| — | 78.1 km | 2 km | 67 m | 3.3 % | 5.2 % | 308 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 53% motorway · 41% main road · 4% major road · 1% track
- Main roads
- 87.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 45.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sharjah - Kalba Road (50 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 30% descending · 45% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.2 km over 5% · 4 km over 8% · 1.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 21.4% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 3.7 km from 64.8 km, dropping 84 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 56 km, from 0 km to 56 km.
Food, water and shops
- 55.9 kmKiosk · 100 m off route
- 57.7 kmStarbucks · café · on the route
- 57.7 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 57.7 kmADNOC · petrol station · 170 m off route
- 63.7 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 200 m off route
Worth a stop
- 44 km — Wahla Fort (castle)
- 55.7 km — Wildlife observation (viewpoint)
- 63.7 km — Hanging Garden Kalba (attraction)
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 3½–5 hours riding
- Oct
- Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 55.9 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
- 87.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 45.8 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
- 1% gravel or unpaved track
