Road · United Arab Emirates
Shees Hills Loop from Khor Fakkan
A hilly 87 km road cycling loop from Khor Fakkan, Sharjah through Ghadf, Ash Shubah and Al Wahi, with 1,264 m of climbing over Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) and Daftah climb (615 m). Most of it (46 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 28.9 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 58 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 17–75).
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 86.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,264 m
- Riding time
- 3½–4½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 58 km
- Best months
- Nov to Mar
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Khor Fakkan
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,264 m
- 87 km
Route description
- Khor Fakkan
- Khor Fakkan climb
- Ghadf
- Al Ghūnah climb (498 m)
- Ash Shubah
- Al Ghūnah climb (506 m)
- Al Wahi
- Asimah
- Daftah climb (615 m)
- Khor Fakkan
This 86.5 km loop ride starts and finishes in Khor Fakkan, climbing 1229 m through the Hajar Mountains. The climb begins immediately with 4 km at 4.9% average to 615 m. The route passes through several places including Ghadf at 10.9 km, Al Ghūnah at 25.9 km, Masafi at 70.6 km, and Shis at 84.2 km. The highest point on the route is 639 m at 80.2 km. The profile features several shorter climbs: a 4.7 km climb starting at 9.3 km at 2.9%, a 2.4 km climb at 7.5% from 25.9 km, and a 5.4 km climb at 4.7% near the end from 74.6 km.
The route is 99% paved with 44% on major roads, 41% on minor roads, 10% on main roads, and 4% on quiet streets. Important roads include the Masafi-Dibba Road for 14.9 km and Khorfakkan Road for 11.3 km. Riders face 46 km on main roads without cycle lanes and nearly 29 km on roads with speed limits over 80 km/h.
Facilities include cafés and supermarkets near the start and finish in Khor Fakkan. There is a 57.5 km stretch without café, shop or water from 17.2 km to 74.7 km, so refuelling should be arranged before and after this section. Drinking water is noted at 1 km and close to the finish at 74.7 km and also at Shis Pools near the end.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Khor Fakkan climb (3.6 km at 6.1 %), Al Ghūnah climb (498 m) (4.8 km at 4.9 %) and Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) (8.4 km at 2.9 %).
- Tops out at 639 m, 80.2 km in.
- A 6.5 km descent dropping 244 m.
Highlights
- Climb starting at Khor Fakkan to 615 m
- Passes Masafi at 70.6 km
- Highest point 639 m at 80.2 km
- Shees Pools spring at 84.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khor Fakkan climb | 0 km | 4 km · 197 m · 4.9 % · max 8.2 % | 3.6 km · 220 m · 6.1 % | 615 m |
| Unnamed climb | 9.3 km | 4.7 km · 136 m · 2.9 % · max 6.7 % | — | 496 m |
| Al Ghūnah climb (498 m) | 25.9 km | 2.4 km · 176 m · 7.5 % · max 14.7 % | 4.8 km · 234 m · 4.9 % | 506 m |
| Unnamed climb | 33.1 km | 1.6 km · 55 m · 3.4 % · max 5.7 % | — | 519 m |
| Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) | 45.6 km | 1.5 km · 49 m · 3.4 % · max 7.9 % | 8.4 km · 244 m · 2.9 % | 437 m |
| Unnamed climb | 50.5 km | 2.8 km · 63 m · 2.3 % · max 3.3 % | — | 437 m |
| Unnamed climb | 53.5 km | 2 km · 80 m · 4 % · max 6.5 % | — | 519 m |
| Daftah climb (615 m) | 74.6 km | 5.4 km · 254 m · 4.7 % · max 11.1 % | 7.4 km · 298 m · 4 % | 616 m |
Khor Fakkan climb · full ascent, starts at 0 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Al Ghūnah climb (498 m) · full ascent, starts at 25.9 km
Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) · full ascent, starts at 40.5 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 53% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 28.9 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 44% major road · 41% minor road · 10% main road · 4% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 46 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 28.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Masafi-Dibba Road (15 km), Khorfakkan Road (11 km), Dibba Truck Road (8 km), Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Road (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 30% climbing · 33% descending · 37% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.7 km over 5% · 1.5 km over 8% · 1.1 km over 10%
- Longest descent
- 6.5 km from 2.9 km, dropping 244 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 58 km, from km 17 to 75. Along the route: 11 cafés and restaurants, 15 shops, 3 water points, 2 petrol stations and 3 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1 kmGerard · café · on the route
- 1 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
- 1.9 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 2.1 kmMohamed Al Yoha Supermarket · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 2.4 kmEmarat · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 12 kmAl Aswaq · supermarket · 30 m off route
- 15.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 15.8 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 80 m off route
- 17.2 kmSupermarket · 80 m off route
- 71.1 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 160 m off route
- 74.7 kmDrinking water · 200 m off route
- 82.1 kmTazej & Khafif Cafeteria · fast food · 30 m off route
- 82.3 kmAl Aryaf Al Sharqyah Vegetable & Fruits · greengrocer · 30 m off route
- 83 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 84.1 kmShis Pools · spring · 30 m off route
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Water
- Shis Pools (40 m)
- Food and coffee
- Gerard (880 m)
- Shops
- Sharjah Coop (610 m)
Know before you go
- 57.5 km without café, shop or water from 17.2 to 74.7 km
- 46 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 28.9 km on roads with 80 km/h+ limits
