Road · United Arab Emirates
Munay Triple Header: Tunnel 1, Kalba, Generator Hill, Hatta Dam
A hilly 122 km road cycling loop from Kalba, Sharjah through Al Qilē'ī, Fayyad and Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr, with 1,334 m of climbing over the As Simsimānīyah climb. Most of it (88.6 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 26.3 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 32 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 33–65).
At a glance
- Best for
- Long endurance days for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 121.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,334 m
- Riding time
- 5–7 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 32 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Kalba
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,334 m
- 122 km
Route description
- Kalba
- Al Qilē'ī
- Fayyad
- Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr
- Al Naslah
- Huwaylat
- As Simsimānīyah climb
- Hayl
- Sikhе̄bar
- Kalba
This 121.7 km loop ride begins and ends in Kalba, passing through numerous towns including Al Qilē'ī at 7.6 km and Hatta at 83.1 km. The route features multiple climbs with the most substantial being a 3.1 km section from 12.8 km climbing 159 m at an average gradient of 5.2%, with a maximum gradient of 20.9%. Elevation ranges from 2 m at 31.7 km to a high of 526 m at 16.9 km. The road surface is mostly paved at 93%, with 4% gravel or unpaved and 3% unmapped.
Road types include 44% main roads, 22% motorway, and various minor and quiet streets. Notable roads ridden include 13.8 km on Sharjah - Kalba Road and 10.2 km on Al Watan Road. A significant portion of the route, 88.6 km, is on main roads without cycle lanes, with 26.3 km on fast roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The route has climbing on 26% of the distance, descending on 20%, and flat on 55%. Notable climbs occur between km 3.1 and km 16.9 and again between km 65.6 and 81.5. The longest descent stretches 4.6 km dropping 265 m starting at 25.4 km.
Refuelling and stops are available mainly before km 32.7 and after km 64.8, with a 32.1 km stretch without café, shop, or water from 32.7 to 64.8 km. Food and drink options include cafés and restaurants near 25.4 km and cafés near 76.6 km and 83 km. Shops and petrol stations are positioned near 30.9 km, 64.8 km, and 88.9 km. Toilets can be found around 32.7 km, 76.1 km, and near 83 km. Peaks near the road include Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m) near 6.4 km and Jabal Abu Samasimah (550 m) near 80.7 km.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the As Simsimānīyah climb (5.9 km at 3.2 %).
- Tops out at 526 m, 16.9 km in.
Highlights
- Peak elevation 526 m at 16.9 km
- Hatta at 83.1 km
- 32.1 km with no café, shop, or water from 32.7 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 3.1 km | 1.7 km · 42 m · 2.5 % · max 4.6 % | — | 299 m |
| Unnamed climb | 10.4 km | 2.1 km · 47 m · 2.2 % · max 4.8 % | — | 318 m |
| Unnamed climb | 12.8 km | 3.1 km · 159 m · 5.2 % · steepest 500 m 7.6 % | — | 484 m |
| Unnamed climb | 21.6 km | 2.4 km · 66 m · 2.8 % · max 3.8 % | — | 263 m |
| Unnamed climb | 33.2 km | 2.8 km · 83 m · 3 % · max 7.4 % | — | 95 m |
| As Simsimānīyah climb | 65.6 km | 5.7 km · 182 m · 3.2 % · max 9.7 % | 5.9 km · 189 m · 3.2 % | 402 m |
| Unnamed climb | 77.2 km | 3.5 km · 86 m · 2.5 % · max 6 % | — | 407 m |
| Unnamed climb | 95.4 km | 2.6 km · 74 m · 2.9 % · max 4.2 % | — | 453 m |
As Simsimānīyah climb · full ascent, starts at 65.6 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 73% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 26.3 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 44% main road · 22% motorway · 10% minor road · 8% major road · 16% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 88.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 26.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sharjah - Kalba Road (14 km), Al Watan Road (10 km), E44 (6 km), D30 (4 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 93% is mapped as paved, 4% as unpaved or gravel and 3% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 20% descending · 55% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.3 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 17.7% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 4.6 km from 25.4 km, dropping 265 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 32 km, from km 33 to 65. Along the route: 21 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops, 1 water point, 6 petrol stations and 7 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 25.4 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 90 m off route
- 30.9 kmStarbucks · café · 90 m off route
- 30.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 260 m off route
- 32.7 kmKiosk · 110 m off route
- 32.7 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 64.8 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · 80 m off route
- 65 kmADNOC · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 75.9 kmHatta Pharmacy LLC. · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 76.1 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 76.4 kmDrinking water · 150 m off route
- 76.6 kmCafé · 110 m off route
- 82.5 kmToilets · 200 m off route
- 83 kmAl Saeei · café · 120 m off route
- 83.9 kmHatta Hospital · hospital · 170 m off route
- 86 kmAswaaq · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 87.6 kmAl Yamm Cafe · café · 80 m off route
- 87.6 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 88.9 kmENOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
Worth a stop
- 25.4 km — Hanging Garden Kalba (attraction)
- 32.7 km — Wildlife observation (viewpoint)
- 44.5 km — Wahla Fort (castle)
- 79.1 km — Tower (viewpoint)
- 84.1 km — Fort Viewpoint (viewpoint)
Know before you go
- 88.6 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 26.3 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits
- 32.1 km no café, shop or water from 32.7 to 64.8 km
- Steepest 500 m gradient 17.7% at start
