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Munay Triple Header: Tunnel 1, Kalba, Generator Hill, Hatta Dam

Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesMixed

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 5th March 2022

122 km
Distance
1,334 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Mixed
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Munay Triple Header: Tunnel 1, Kalba, Generator Hill, Hatta Dam

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,334 m
Distance
122 km
0100200300400500600m0 km255075100122 km499 m · highest, at 18.8 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

This long 121.7 km ride with 1359 m of climbing suits experienced cyclists prepared for sustained climbing and fast road sections.

121.7 km loop in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, starting and finishing in Kalba with 1359 m climbing.

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.

Highlights

  • Climb with max gradient 20.9% at 12.8 km
  • 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

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Qilē'ī 7.6 km
  2. Minazif 8.3 km
  3. Fayyad 10.1 km
  4. Harrah 14.2 km
  5. Shia 14.5 km
  6. Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr 37.9 km
  7. Wahala 44.4 km
  8. Um al Ghaf 50.8 km
  9. Al Naslah 53.5 km
  10. Rāfāq 55.4 km
  11. Fashrah 59.8 km
  12. Huwaylat 64.3 km
  13. As Simsimānīyah 67.3 km
  14. Sufayri 76.7 km
  15. Hayl 81.5 km
  16. Hatta 83.1 km
  17. Sha'biyyat Milāḩ 108 km
  18. Sikhе̄bar 113.2 km
  19. Al Wa'ab 114 km
  20. Munay 116.7 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—3.1 km1.7 km42 m2.5 %4.6 %299 m
—10.4 km2.1 km47 m2.2 %4.8 %318 m
—12.8 km3.1 km159 m5.2 %20.9 %484 m
—21.6 km2.4 km66 m2.8 %3.8 %263 m
—33.2 km2.8 km83 m3 %7.4 %95 m
As Simsimānīyah climb65.6 km5.7 km182 m3.2 %9.7 %402 m
—77.2 km3.5 km86 m2.5 %6 %407 m
—95.4 km2.6 km74 m2.9 %4.2 %453 m

High point 526 m at 16.9 km; low point 2 m. Passes beneath Jabal Al Miqsha, Jabal Naselah, Jabal Abu Samasimah.

As Simsimānīyah climb · starts at 65.6 km

5.9 km at 3.2% · 189 m
250300350400m2.1%2.4%3.5%7.0%0 km123455.9 km405 msteepest 7.0%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
44% main road · 22% motorway · 10% minor road · 8% major road
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
Paved throughout
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

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: 32 km, from 33 km to 65 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 25.4 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 90 m off route
  2. 30.9 kmStarbucks · café · 90 m off route
  3. 30.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 260 m off route
  4. 32.7 kmKiosk · 110 m off route
  5. 32.7 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  6. 64.8 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · 80 m off route
  7. 65 kmADNOC · petrol station · 60 m off route
  8. 75.9 kmHatta Pharmacy LLC. · pharmacy · 90 m off route
  9. 76.1 kmToilets · 90 m off route
  10. 76.4 kmDrinking water · 150 m off route
  11. 76.6 kmCafé · 110 m off route
  12. 82.5 kmToilets · 200 m off route
  13. 83 kmAl Saeei · café · 120 m off route
  14. 83.9 kmHatta Hospital · hospital · 170 m off route
  15. 86 kmAswaaq · supermarket · 60 m off route
  16. 87.6 kmAl Yamm Cafe · café · 80 m off route
  17. 87.6 kmToilets · 140 m off route
  18. 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)

Practical information

Surface
Mixed
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
5–7 hours riding
Season
March
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

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

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

4 photographs from the road

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