Road · United Arab Emirates
Around Liwa
A hilly 100 km road cycling loop from Liwa, Abu Dhabi through Mzeerʻah, with 1,121 m of climbing. There is a 91 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 8–98).
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 100 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,121 m
- Riding time
- 3½–5 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 91 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Liwa
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,121 m
- 100 km
Route description
- Liwa
- Mzeerʻah
- Liwa
Starting at Muzayri`, the route heads towards Liwa at 6.5 km, then continues to Mzeerʻah at 19.5 km. The road is 99% paved with a majority on minor roads (78%), plus sections on main roads (18%) including Tal Mur'ib Road for 32.5 km, Sheikh Theyab Bin Eissa AL Falahi Road for 15.2 km and others. From about 23 km, a series of climbs appear, mostly 1.2 to 2 km in length with gradients averaging between 2.7% and 4.1%, peaking at 187 m elevation near 98.1 km. The longest descent of 1.7 km starts at 73.9 km dropping 43 m. Climbing accounts for 25% of the ride, with 5.3 km over 5% gradient and 0.1 km above 8%. Amenities are sparse, with a 90.5 km stretch from 7.6 to 98.1 km without café, shop or water. Fuel is available at a petrol station 3.8 km from the start. A restaurant and supermarket lie close to 7.6 km, slightly off route. Temperatures are recorded at 25°C in November.
Highlights
- Liwa at 6.5 km
- Series of climbs from 23 km
- Moreeb Dune near 40.4 km
- Highest point 187 m at 98.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 23.2 km | 1.2 km · 43 m · 3.6 % · max 7.4 % | 148 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.9 km | 1.8 km · 47 m · 2.7 % · max 5.4 % | 137 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.7 km | 1.4 km · 44 m · 3.2 % · max 6.3 % | 139 m |
| Unnamed climb | 31.3 km | 1.7 km · 52 m · 3.1 % · max 5 % | 143 m |
| Unnamed climb | 35.1 km | 1.4 km · 40 m · 2.9 % · max 6.4 % | 136 m |
| Unnamed climb | 39.6 km | 2 km · 67 m · 3.4 % · max 6 % | 155 m |
| Unnamed climb | 45.4 km | 1.7 km · 52 m · 3 % · max 5.9 % | 142 m |
| Unnamed climb | 48.8 km | 1.3 km · 45 m · 3.4 % · max 6.3 % | 137 m |
| Unnamed climb | 54.1 km | 1.5 km · 58 m · 3.8 % · max 8.4 % | 149 m |
| Unnamed climb | 60.1 km | 1.5 km · 45 m · 3 % · max 5.8 % | 141 m |
| Unnamed climb | 70.5 km | 1.7 km · 45 m · 2.7 % · max 6 % | 161 m |
| Unnamed climb | 96 km | 2 km · 83 m · 4.1 % · max 7.7 % | 187 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 19.2 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 78% minor road · 18% main road · 2% major road · 2% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 19.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 16.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Tal Mur'ib Road (33 km), Sheikh Theyab Bin Eissa AL Falahi Road (15 km), Khalifa Ahmed Al Muhairbi Street (9 km), Obaid Bin Kenaish Alhameli Street (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 25% climbing · 24% descending · 51% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.3 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7% at 99.1 km
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 91 km, from km 8 to 98. Along the route: 1 café or restaurant, 1 shop and 1 petrol station.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 3.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 120 m off route
- 7.6 kmAlhadarah restorant · restaurant · 140 m off route
- 7.6 kmAlrokon alhadi · supermarket · 120 m off route
- 7.6 kmJunaid Pharmacy · pharmacy · 130 m off route
Know before you go
- 90.5 km without café, shop or water from 7.6 to 98.1 km
- 19.2 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 16.8 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit