Road · United Arab Emirates
Around Khor Fakkan via Al Ghamarah
A mountainous 112 km road cycling loop from Khor Fakkan, Sharjah through Lulayyah, Zubarah and Nehay, with 2,270 m of climbing over Daftah climb (615 m) and Dibba Al-Hisn.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 112.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 2,270 m
- Riding time
- Under an hour
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Nov to Mar
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Khor Fakkan
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 2,270 m
- 112 km
Route description
- Khor Fakkan
- Daftah climb (615 m)
- Lulayyah
- Zubarah
- Nehay
- Haqil
- Madha climb
- Al Nahwa Old Hamlet climb
- Dibba Al-Hisn
- Khor Fakkan
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.
Why ride this route?
- The most climbing per kilometre of the 6 rides from Khor Fakkan: 20 m per km.
- Climbs Daftah climb (615 m) (7.4 km at 4 %), the Madha climb (6.9 km at 2.9 %) and the Al Nahwa Old Hamlet climb (4.8 km at 4.6 %).
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
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.8 km | 1.3 km · 60 m · 4.8 % · max 10.6 % | — | 101 m |
| Daftah climb (615 m) | 4.1 km | — | 7.4 km · 298 m · 4 % | 615 m |
| Madha climb | 38.2 km | — | 6.9 km · 197 m · 2.9 % | 262 m |
| Al Nahwa Old Hamlet climb | 46.7 km | — | 4.8 km · 222 m · 4.6 % | 415 m |
| Dibba Al-Hisn | 81.9 km | — | 11.1 km · 657 m · 5.9 % | 681 m |
Daftah climb (615 m) · full ascent, starts at 4.1 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Madha climb · full ascent, starts at 38.2 km
Al Nahwa Old Hamlet climb · full ascent, starts at 46.7 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 14.2 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 81% major road · 18% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 14.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 11 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Omar Bin Al Khattab Street (5 km), Dibba-Khor Fakkan Road (4 km), Khorfakkan Ring Road (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 10% climbing · 23% descending · 67% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.9 km over 5% · 0.5 km over 8% · 0.4 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10% at 1.4 km
- Longest descent
- 3.4 km from 3.6 km, dropping 48 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 2 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 1 petrol station and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 10.2 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 11.2 kmAl Majlis Al Arabi Mandi & Madfoun Restaurant · restaurant · 40 m off route
- 11.2 kmNew Al Jeel Supermarket & Spices Mill · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 11.6 kmToilets · 40 m off route
Worth a stop
- 11.6 km — Al Badiyah Fort (castle)
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
