Cyclists.com

Shees Hills Loop from Khor Fakkan

Khor Fakkan, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesMixed

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 17th February 2024

87 km
Distance
1,264 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Mixed
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Shees Hills Loop from Khor Fakkan

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,264 m
Distance
87 km
0200400600800m0 km20406086 km610 m · highest, at 2.8 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

This ride suits cyclists prepared for a medium-long loop with over 1200 m climbing.

86.5 km loop from Khor Fakkan in the Hajar Mountains with 1229 m climbing.

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.

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

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Ghadf 10.9 km
  2. Al Ghamarah 12 km
  3. Al Ghūnah 25.9 km
  4. Al Khalabiya 29.5 km
  5. Yalah 33.4 km
  6. Ash Shubah 36.6 km
  7. Sal Al Asum 45 km
  8. As Sarm 45.1 km
  9. Al Jaroof 45.6 km
  10. Al Yanhah 45.9 km
  11. Al Wahi 48.7 km
  12. Sidr 50 km
  13. Mawrid 51.7 km
  14. Sha'biyyat Qabr al Yahūdī 52.9 km
  15. شعبيات قبر اليهودي 52.9 km
  16. Asimah 57.6 km
  17. Al Tayyibah 58.7 km
  18. Al Baha 60.3 km
  19. Masafi 70.6 km
  20. Daftah 75.2 km
  21. Shis 84.2 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Khor Fakkan climb0 km4 km197 m4.9 %8.2 %615 m
—9.3 km4.7 km136 m2.9 %6.7 %496 m
Al Ghūnah climb25.9 km2.4 km176 m7.5 %14.7 %506 m
—33.1 km1.6 km55 m3.4 %5.7 %519 m
—45.6 km1.5 km49 m3.4 %7.9 %437 m
—50.5 km2.8 km63 m2.3 %3.3 %437 m
—53.5 km2 km80 m4 %6.5 %519 m
Daftah climb74.6 km5.4 km254 m4.7 %11.1 %616 m

High point 639 m at 80.2 km; low point 329 m. Passes beneath Jibal Lahshamat, Jabal Shemah, Jabal Daftah.

Khor Fakkan climb · starts at 0 km

3.3 km at 7% · 233 m
450500550600m5.7%5.1%1.4%0 km1234.0 km610 msteepest 7.4%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Al Ghūnah climb · starts at 25.9 km

4.9 km at 4.8% · 233 m
300350400450500m3.5%12%3.9%0 km12344.8 km498 msteepest 11.6%

Daftah climb · starts at 74.6 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%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
44% major road · 41% minor road · 10% main road · 4% quiet street
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 throughout
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

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: 58 km, from 17 km to 75 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 1 kmGerard · café · on the route
  2. 1 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
  3. 1.9 kmToilets · 60 m off route
  4. 2.1 kmMohamed Al Yoha Supermarket · supermarket · 60 m off route
  5. 2.4 kmEmarat · petrol station · 60 m off route
  6. 12 kmAl Aswaq · supermarket · 30 m off route
  7. 15.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 40 m off route
  8. 15.8 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 80 m off route
  9. 17.2 kmSupermarket · 80 m off route
  10. 71.1 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 160 m off route
  11. 74.7 kmDrinking water · 200 m off route
  12. 82.1 kmTazej & Khafif Cafeteria · fast food · 30 m off route
  13. 82.3 kmAl Aryaf Al Sharqyah Vegetable & Fruits · greengrocer · 30 m off route
  14. 83 kmToilets · 60 m off route
  15. 84.1 kmShis Pools · spring · 30 m off route

At the start and finish

  • Shis Pools · spring · 40 m
  • Gerard · café · 880 m
  • Sharjah Coop · supermarket · 610 m

Practical information

Surface
Mixed
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
3½–4½ hours riding
Season
February, temperature around 25°C.
Best months
Nov to Mar — daily highs of 22–28 °C in those months

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

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

5 photographs from the road

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