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Munay to Kalba via Al Uqdah and Al Maqt'a

Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Tuesday 2nd December 2025

69 km
Distance
966 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Munay to Kalba via Al Uqdah and Al Maqt'a

Elevation profile

Total ascent
966 m
Distance
69 km
0200400600m0 km204069 km505 m · highest, at 25.1 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for riders prepared for medium distance and moderate climbing with steep sections.

69 km ride in the Hajar Mountains from Kalba with 747 m climbing and mixed roads.

Starting in Kalba, the route passes Munay at 5.3 km then Fayyad at 20.1 km where the first climb begins. It features several climbs including a steep 2.8 km section averaging 7.3% with a maximum gradient of 34.6%, reaching the highest point at 534 m near 25 km. The route continues through Harrah, Shia, Al Uqdah, and Al Ghail before descending to a low point at 3 m around 47.1 km. The route surface is mostly paved (79%) with 4% gravel or unpaved and 17% unmapped. Road types include 27.1 km on motorway and 18.3 km on main roads, with 49.6 km of main roads lacking cycle lanes. The longest named road is Sharjah - Kalba Road (27.1 km). There are no cafés or water available for the first 46.3 km. Facilities then appear between 47 and 54 km including a petrol station, toilets, a café (Starbucks), a restaurant (Habib Beirut), and an attraction (Hanging Garden Kalba) slightly off route. This is the first chance to refuel or stop on the ride.

Highlights

  • Highest point 534 m near 25 km
  • Steep 2.8 km climb at 7.3% avg gradient
  • Longest descent of 10.9 km dropping 258 m
  • Facilities at 48-54 km including café and restaurant

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Munay 5.3 km
  2. Fayyad 20.1 km
  3. Harrah 23.1 km
  4. Shia 23.4 km
  5. Al Uqdah 38.5 km
  6. Al Ghail 45.1 km
  7. Al Saaf 45.2 km
  8. Al Maqt'a 46.5 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—20.1 km1.5 km40 m2.6 %5.4 %323 m
—22.2 km2.8 km207 m7.3 %34.6 %534 m
—31.3 km1.8 km56 m3.1 %6.4 %238 m
—50.3 km3.6 km253 m7 %21.1 %276 m
—59.7 km1.4 km93 m6.8 %13.7 %268 m
—62.5 km3.7 km134 m3.7 %8.6 %314 m

High point 534 m at 25 km; low point 3 m.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
40% motorway · 27% main road · 6% major road · 6% other · 13% unmapped
Main roads
49.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
24.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (27 km)
Surface
79% paved · 4% gravel or unpaved · 17% unmapped
Gradient
24% climbing · 30% descending · 47% flat
Steep sections
7.2 km over 5% · 2.7 km over 8% · 1.4 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 20.6% at 0 km
Longest descent
10.9 km from 34.9 km, dropping 258 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: 46 km, from 0 km to 46 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 44.6 kmKalba Health Center · clinic · 140 m off route
  2. 47.7 kmADNOC · petrol station · 40 m off route
  3. 48.1 kmStarbucks · café · 30 m off route
  4. 48.1 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  5. 53.7 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 90 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 53.7 km — Hanging Garden Kalba (attraction)

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
2½–3½ hours riding
Season
Dec
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 49.6 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 24.4 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
  • 4% gravel or unpaved surface
  • No café, shop or water for 46.3 km from start

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

11 photographs from the road

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