Road · United Arab Emirates
Masafi Loop via Dibba and Al Badiyah Fort
A hilly 112 km road cycling loop from Masafi, Fujairah through Al Baha, Al Rifa and Dibba Al Fujairah, with 1,296 m of climbing over Dibba Al-Hisn. Most of it (102.7 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 69 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 112.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,296 m
- Riding time
- 4–5½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Nov to Mar
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Masafi
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,296 m
- 112 km
Route description
- Masafi
- Al Baha
- Al Rifa
- Dibba Al Fujairah
- Al Fiqait
- Al Badīyah
- Al Rifa'a
- Dibba Al-Hisn
- Al Hutain
- Masafi
Starting from Masafi at about 0.5 km, the route heads through Al Baha and Al Khalabiya before reaching Dibba Al Fujairah at 38.8 km. The initial climb is 1.1 km long with an average gradient of 3.8%, gaining 42 m to 494 m height. The road surface is mostly paved (97%) with no gravel, and the majority (91%) is on major roads. The route covers 102.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 69 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or above.
Cyclists continue through Khor Fakkan around 74 km where the altitude drops to 3 m at 75.3 km. Further climbs include a 13.3 km gradual ascent averaging 4.6%, peaking at 642 m near 97.7 km, followed by smaller climbs. There are many small settlements en route like Al Murabah and Sharm, with bike shops near km 69. There are several cafés and shops along the way, but note the longest stretch without cafés, shops or water is 17.8 km from km 4.5 to 22.3. Toilets and petrol stations are available at various points around the route.
Notable peaks near the road include Aqabat al Hadid at 171 m near 43 km and Jabal al Habil at 288 m near 62.4 km. The ride is a mix of mostly flat and gentle climbing sections with some steeper parts over 5% lasting 5.8 km and a maximum gradient over 10% briefly. The largest continuous descent lasts 5.2 km between 103.7 km and the finish.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Dibba Al-Hisn (11.1 km at 5.9 %).
- Tops out at 642 m, 97.7 km in.
- A 5.2 km descent dropping 235 m.
Highlights
- Start and finish in Masafi
- Peak near km 97.7 at 642 m
- Passes Khor Fakkan at 74 km
- Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails near 17 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 1.1 km · 42 m · 3.8 % · max 8 % | — | 494 m |
| Unnamed climb | 77.7 km | 1.7 km · 56 m · 3.3 % · max 5.5 % | — | 70 m |
| Dibba Al-Hisn | 84.3 km | 13.3 km · 614 m · 4.6 % · max 10.2 % | 11.1 km · 657 m · 5.9 % | 642 m |
| Unnamed climb | 100 km | 2.4 km · 76 m · 3.2 % · max 6.1 % | — | 641 m |
| Unnamed climb | 107.5 km | 3.5 km · 88 m · 2.5 % · max 3.4 % | — | 450 m |
Dibba Al-Hisn · full ascent, starts at 84.3 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 91% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 69 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 91% major road · 4% quiet street · 2% main road · 1% minor road · 2% unmapped
- Main roads
- 102.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 69 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Masafi-Dibba Road (35 km), Dibba-Khor Fakkan Road (21 km), Khorfakkan Road (15 km), E199 (8 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 25% descending · 52% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.8 km over 5% · 1.1 km over 8%
- Longest descent
- 5.2 km from 103.7 km, dropping 235 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from km 5 to 22. Along the route: 57 cafés and restaurants, 32 shops, 1 water point, 13 petrol stations, 6 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 3.2 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 30 m off route
- 22.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 37.7 kmWater tap · 100 m off route
- 41.4 kmZOOM · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 41.4 kmENOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 56 kmestacoza seafood · restaurant · on the route
- 64.3 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 64.7 kmNew Al Jeel Supermarket & Spices Mill · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 65.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 69.5 kmBike shop · 40 m off route
- 73.5 kmCafteria Al Shabab · café · 30 m off route
- 73.5 kmBin Moosa Medical Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 78.4 kmin minde cafe · café · 360 m off route
- 84.6 kmKhorfakkan Hospital · hospital · 450 m off route
- 88.4 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 100.3 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 100.5 kmMohamed Al Yoha Supermarket · supermarket · 100 m off route
- 110.5 kmAl Aswaq · supermarket · 50 m off route
Worth a stop
- 17.4 km — Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails (attraction)
- 64.3 km — Al Badiyah Fort (castle)
- 73.1 km — Khorfakkan Beach (picnic site)
- 88.4 km — Reservoir. Observation deck (viewpoint)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Shops
- Al Aswaq (580 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 17.8 km (km 4.5 to 22.3)
- 102.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 69 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or above
