Munay triple header: Tunnel 1, Kalba, Generator Hill, Hatta Dam

Route overview

Riders comfortable with 121.7 km and 1359 m of climbing, with the steeper work concentrated in the first 20 km.

A 121.7 km loop from Kalba into the Hajar Mountains, crossing between the UAE and Oman and taking in Hatta before returning through Munay.

From Kalba the route heads inland and starts climbing almost at once, passing beneath Jabal Al Miqsha at 6.4 km and threading the villages and hamlets of Al Qilē'ī, Minazif, Fayyad, Harrah and Shia. The lowest point of the day comes at Minazif, 240 m at 8.3 km, and from there two linked climbs do most of the early work: 1.9 km at 2.3% from km 10.4, then 3 km at 4.9% with a maximum of 8.3% from km 12.8, topping out at 463 m, the high point of the loop at 15.8 km. Peaks of 812 m and 826 m stand close to the road just beyond. The middle section is far easier, running down through Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr, Wahala, Um al Ghaf, Al Naslah, Rāfāq, Fashrah and Huwaylat past the low summits of Jabal Naselah and its neighbours. A viewpoint at 75.6 km precedes Sufayri and Hayl, and Hatta arrives at 83.1 km with several cafés and restaurants clustered around it. After Hatta a final 2.1 km climb at 2.8% from km 95.9 lifts the road to 455 m beneath Jabal Laim and Jabal Mudayrah. The run home passes Sha'biyyat Milāḩ, Sikhе̄bar, Al Wa'ab and Munay before Kalba.

Highlights

• Two linked climbs to the 463 m high point at km 15.8
• Hatta at 83.1 km, with cafés and restaurants
• Final 455 m rise beneath Jabal Laim and Jabal Mudayrah
• Peaks of 812 m and 826 m close to the road

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

5–7 hours riding

Know before you go

• Route crosses between the UAE and Oman four times - carry documents
• No café or restaurant listed between km 30.8 and km 76.5
• 27°C recorded in March; heat builds later in the year

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