Cyclists.com

Around Khawr Fakkan via Al Ghamarah

Khawr Fakkan, Hajar Mountains, United Arab EmiratesRoad

112 km
Distance
2,270 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap

Elevation profile

Total ascent
2,270 m
Distance
112 km
0200400600800m0 km255075100112 km708 m · highest, at 95.9 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for experienced cyclists prepared for 2270 m climbing over 112 km.

Loop route of 112 km in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, starting and finishing at Khawr Fakkan with 2270 m climbing.

This loop starts at Khawr Fakkan and heads north through Daftah at 5.1 km, then climbs steadily for 5.7 km from km 4.1 with an average gradient of 4.9%, reaching 638 m. The route passes Ar Rufaysah (25.8 km), Al Qadsia (29 km) and Sa‘d (42.7 km) before reaching Nahwa at 44.2 km. Here the second major climb begins at 46.7 km for 4.8 km, climbing 222 m at 4.6% to 419 m. The ride continues through Madha at 68.4 km and Qidfa at 71.2 km, with several small climbs including an 11.1 km section starting at 82 km climbing 657 m averaging 5.9%, featuring a maximum gradient of 44.3%. The highest point is at 14.9 km near the start at 684 m. Surface is 95% paved with no gravel. The majority is on major and main roads, 92.7 km of main roads lack cycle lanes, and 47.2 km have posted limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest descent is 13.3 km from km 15.5, dropping 623 m. Services include several petrol stations early and mid-route, supermarkets at 1.5 km and 81.3 km, and restaurants and cafés near km 24.9 and 77. There is a 40.5 km stretch without shops or cafés between km 24.9 and 65.4. Toilets and water points are intermittent. The ride passes near peaks such as Jabal al Qitayliyah, 323 m at km 32.6, and Jabal Daftah, 878 m at km 99.5.

Highlights

  • Climb to 638 m near Daftah
  • Passes Nahwa and Madha in the Hajar Mountains
  • Long 11.1 km climb up to 681 m
  • Longest descent of 13.3 km dropping 623 m

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Daftah 5.1 km
  2. Ar Rufaysah 25.8 km
  3. Al Qadsia 29 km
  4. Sa‘d 42.7 km
  5. Nahwa 44.2 km
  6. Al Nahwa Old Hamlet 44.5 km
  7. Madha 68.4 km
  8. Qidfa 71.2 km
  9. Al Musalla 75.3 km
  10. Al Burdi 76.3 km
  11. Al Khaledya 78.2 km
  12. Al Mudaifi 80.4 km
  13. Al Rifa'a 81.3 km
  14. Al Hayawah 81.3 km
  15. Khor Fakkan 81.5 km
  16. Al Hutain 81.8 km
  17. Al Yarmouk 82.8 km
  18. Shis 97.5 km
  19. Ghadf 107.7 km
  20. Al Ghamarah 108.9 km
  21. Masafi 109.6 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Daftah climb4.1 km5.7 km276 m4.9 %14.4 %638 m
—13.5 km1.2 km97 m8.4 %20 %625 m
Madha climb38.2 km6.9 km195 m2.8 %6.1 %260 m
Al Nahwa Old Hamlet climb46.7 km4.8 km222 m4.6 %10 %419 m
—71.9 km1.9 km52 m2.7 %5 %64 m
Dibba Al-Hisn82 km11.1 km657 m5.9 %44.3 %681 m
—106.1 km3.5 km91 m2.6 %3.4 %451 m

High point 684 m at 14.9 km; low point 2 m. Passes beneath Jabal al Qitayliyah, ‘Iqāb Shawābiq, Jabal Half.

Daftah climb · starts at 4.1 km

7.4 km at 4% · 298 m
350400450500550600m4.3%3.4%4.7%7.4%7.5%0 km1234567.3 km615 msteepest 7.5%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Madha climb · starts at 38.2 km

7.1 km at 2.8% · 196 m
100150200250m1.8%3.7%3.2%2.0%4.9%0 km1234566.9 km256 msteepest 4.9%

Al Nahwa Old Hamlet climb · starts at 46.7 km

4.8 km at 4.6% · 222 m
200250300350400m7.1%5.3%3.0%2.5%0 km12344.8 km415 msteepest 7.1%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
56% major road · 29% main road · 7% minor road · 4% quiet street · 3% unmapped
Main roads
92.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
47.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Khorfakkan Road (30 km), Madha Road (22 km), E199 (8 km), Madha - Al Qitaylah Road (7 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
33% climbing · 39% descending · 28% flat
Steep sections
12.5 km over 5% · 5.2 km over 8% · 2.8 km over 10%
Longest descent
13.3 km from 15.5 km, dropping 623 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: 41 km, from 25 km to 65 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0.5 kmEmarat · petrol station · 70 m off route
  2. 0.7 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 100 m off route
  3. 1.5 kmAl Aswaq · supermarket · on the route
  4. 4.5 kmDrinking water · 160 m off route
  5. 11.7 kmEmarat · petrol station · 50 m off route
  6. 11.8 kmTazej & Khafif Cafeteria · fast food · 40 m off route
  7. 24.9 kmWishi · restaurant · 90 m off route
  8. 32 kmToilets · 130 m off route
  9. 65.4 kmDrinking water · 40 m off route
  10. 71.8 kmAl Madha Petrol · petrol station · 80 m off route
  11. 73.3 kmToilets · 90 m off route
  12. 77 kmThe View By Wave · restaurant · 170 m off route
  13. 81.3 kmفيفا · supermarket · 60 m off route
  14. 81.5 kmAl Fouj · café · 80 m off route
  15. 81.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  16. 86.7 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 90 m off route
  17. 98.7 kmToilets · 60 m off route
  18. 98.9 kmAlsad Ice Cream - Branch 2 · ice cream · 50 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 0.4 km — Masafi Fort (castle)
  • 86.7 km — Reservoir. Observation deck (viewpoint)

At the start and finish

  • Al Aswaq · supermarket · 650 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4½–6 hours riding
Season
January and February with temperatures between 22 and 26°C.

Know before you go

  • 40.5 km without café, shop, or water from km 24.9 to 65.4
  • 92.7 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 47.2 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
  • Steep maximum gradient of 44.3% on longest climb

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

More rides from Khawr Fakkan