Road · United Arab Emirates
Liwa Desert Ride
- 107 km
- 1,080 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 1,080 m
- 107 km
Route overview
This ride suits cyclists comfortable with 1197 m climbing over 107 km distance.
107 km loop ride in Abu Dhabi around Liwa with 1197 m climbing on fully paved roads.
The Liwa desert loop is a 107 km cycling route starting and finishing in Liwa, United Arab Emirates. The ride includes a series of moderate climbs, beginning with a 1.9 km ascent at 2.7% average gradient near the start and several others ranging between 2.4% and 3.8% average gradients. The highest point is at 161 m elevation near km 31.1. The route mainly follows minor roads (85%) with 13.9 km on main roads, all fully paved. The longest named road ridden is Tal Mur'ib Road for 37 km. The profile has 23% climbing and 23% descending with mostly flat sections covering 54% of the distance. The steepest 500 m segment has a 6.5% gradient. The longest descent lasts 1.8 km with a 43 m drop. Services are sparse beyond km 52, with a 53.2 km stretch without any café, shop or water. A convenience store, Mouqab Grocery, is available just off the route at 52 km. There are no bike shops, toilet, or petrol stations along the way.
Highlights
- Loop ride around Liwa in Abu Dhabi
- Climb to 161 m elevation at km 31
- Longest stretch without services is 53 km
- Mostly minor roads with full pavement
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 0.8 km | 1.9 km | 50 m | 2.7 % | 6.5 % | 138 m |
| — | 4.5 km | 1.7 km | 51 m | 3.1 % | 5 % | 141 m |
| — | 10.2 km | 1.5 km | 43 m | 2.8 % | 4.7 % | 136 m |
| — | 13.1 km | 1.6 km | 55 m | 3.4 % | 7.6 % | 146 m |
| — | 19.3 km | 1.6 km | 46 m | 2.9 % | 6 % | 143 m |
| — | 29.4 km | 1.7 km | 49 m | 3 % | 6.6 % | 161 m |
| — | 80.5 km | 1.9 km | 46 m | 2.4 % | 4.1 % | 145 m |
| — | 87.6 km | 1.2 km | 46 m | 3.8 % | 7.4 % | 147 m |
| — | 90.3 km | 1.6 km | 42 m | 2.7 % | 5.7 % | 133 m |
| — | 95.8 km | 1.5 km | 40 m | 2.8 % | 4.7 % | 141 m |
| — | 99.4 km | 1.7 km | 49 m | 3 % | 6.7 % | 139 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 85% minor road · 13% main road · 2% quiet street
- Main roads
- 13.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 13.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Tal Mur'ib Road (37 km), Al Mariyah Ash Sharqiyah Street (17 km), Sheikh Theyab Bin Eissa AL Falahi Road (14 km), Mahdar Litayr Street (10 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 23% descending · 54% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.3 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.5% at 14.3 km
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 53 km, from 52 km to 105 km.
Food, water and shops
- 52 kmMouqab Grocery · convenience store · 60 m off route
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 4–5½ hours riding
- November and January with temperatures from 16 to 25°C.
- Dec to Feb — daily highs of 25–27 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 53 km longest stretch without café, shop, or water after km 52
- 13.9 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 13.5 km on roads with speeds of 80 km/h plus