Liwa desert loop

Route overview

Riders comfortable with 107 km and 1,197 m of climbing taken in short, repeated rises rather than one long ascent.

A 107 km loop from Liwa in Abu Dhabi's desert interior, with 1,197 m of climbing spread over short, repeated dune rises.

The loop starts in Liwa at its lowest point, 167 m, and begins climbing almost at once: a 1.4 km rise at 3.4% tops out at 214 m by km 2.4, followed by a second, similar ramp from km 4.5. This opening pattern sets the tone, with short pitches of 1.4-1.7 km at 2.6-3.4% separated by longer level or descending stretches. More rises come at km 13.1 (1.4 km at 3.4%, topping at 219 m) and km 19, just after the road passes Mzeer'ah at km 18.6. The route returns through Liwa at km 27.8, then takes on the steepest pitch of the day from km 29.4: 1.4 km at 3.4% with a maximum of 9.3%, reaching the high point of 237 m at km 31.1. Mezaira follows at km 31.3. From there the middle 60 km carry no listed settlements and no significant climbs, with 53% of the total gain already banked in the first half. Two final rises, at km 90.3 and km 99.4, lift the road back to 218 m and 225 m before the run-in to Liwa.

Highlights

• High point of 237 m at km 31.1, above Mezaira
• Steepest pitch of the loop: 9.3% at km 29.4
• Passes Mzeer'ah, Liwa and Mezaira in the first 32 km

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4–5½ hours riding

Season

Recorded in January and November at 16-25 °C, the cooler end of the year.

Know before you go

• No settlements listed between Mezaira at km 31.3 and km 90 - carry water for roughly 60 km
• Recorded temperatures reach 25 °C
• Short ramps hit 9.3% at km 29.4

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