Road · United Arab Emirates
Masafi – Dibba – Khor Fakkan
A hilly 106 km road cycling loop from Masafi, Fujairah through Al Rifa'a, Al Qadsia and Al Baha, with 1,259 m of climbing over the Al Burdi climb and Jabal Daftah (603 m). Most of it (95.6 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 65.8 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 106 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,259 m
- Riding time
- 3½–5 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Nov to Mar
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Masafi
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,259 m
- 106 km
Route description
- Masafi
- Al Rifa'a
- Al Burdi climb
- Jabal Daftah (603 m)
- Al Qadsia
- Al Baha
- Waset
- Al Ras
- Haqil
- Masafi
The route starts and finishes in Masafi, passing through many places including Al Rifa'a, Dibba Al Fujairah, and Khor Fakkan. Climbing begins shortly after 2.9 km with a 17.2 km ascent gaining 601 m to 626 m elevation, beneath Jabal Daftah. This is followed by shorter climbs of 4.5 km and 1.4 km with more moderate gradients. The route also features a final brief climb at 88.2 km.
Most of the 106 km ride is on paved roads with 90% on major roads and around 2 km on minor roads or quiet streets. The longest descent of 9.6 km drops 307 m starting near 42.2 km. Main roads lack cycle lanes for 95.6 km and 65.8 km involve roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The Masafi-Dibba Road and Dibba-Khor Fakkan Road are the longest named roads used.
Food and drink are available at the start in Masafi and at scattered points such as cafés near 2.2 km and 68 km, with a 17.7 km stretch from 34.6 km to 52.3 km without cafés, shops or water taps. Toilets and supermarkets are also located near various points on the route including near 1.8 km and 94.9 km. The route passes near peaks including Jabal Daftah and Jabal al Habil.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Al Burdi climb (11 km at 6.3 %) and Jabal Daftah (603 m) (10.7 km at 5.8 %).
- Tops out at 626 m, 20.2 km in.
- A 9.6 km descent dropping 307 m.
Highlights
- Climb to 626 m near Jabal Daftah
- Longest descent of 9.6 km dropping 307 m
- Stops at Khor Fakkan and Dibba Al Fujairah
- Masafi-Dibba Road and Dibba-Khor Fakkan Road segments
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Burdi climb | 2.9 km | 17.2 km · 601 m · 3.5 % | 11 km · 691 m · 6.3 % | 626 m |
| Jabal Daftah (603 m) | 2.9 km | — | 10.7 km · 619 m · 5.8 % | 591 m |
| Unnamed climb | 26.5 km | 4.5 km · 137 m · 3.1 % · max 6.1 % | — | 497 m |
| Unnamed climb | 34 km | 1.4 km · 40 m · 2.9 % · max 6.1 % | — | 518 m |
| Unnamed climb | 88.2 km | 1.2 km · 43 m · 3.6 % | — | 51 m |
Jabal Daftah (603 m) · full ascent, starts at 2.9 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Al Burdi climb · full ascent, starts at 3 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 90% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 65.8 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 90% major road · 5% quiet street · 2% main road · 2% minor road · 1% other roads and tracks · 1% unmapped
- Main roads
- 95.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 65.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Masafi-Dibba Road (35 km), Dibba-Khor Fakkan Road (21 km), Khorfakkan Road (15 km), Corniche Street (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 19% climbing · 27% descending · 55% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.1 km over 5% · 2.2 km over 8% · 1.4 km over 10%
- Longest descent
- 9.6 km from 42.2 km, dropping 307 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from km 35 to 52. Along the route: 59 cafés and restaurants, 33 shops, 1 water point, 14 petrol stations, 3 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.8 kmفيفا · supermarket · 100 m off route
- 2 kmADNOC · petrol station · 80 m off route
- 2.9 kmAl Enwan medical center · hospital · 100 m off route
- 6.4 kmWishi · restaurant · 120 m off route
- 19.4 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 19.6 kmMohamed Al Yoha Supermarket · supermarket · 80 m off route
- 29.3 kmAl Aswaq · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 32.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 33.2 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 40 m off route
- 66.7 kmDibba Hospital · hospital · 290 m off route
- 68 kmStarbucks · café · 120 m off route
- 71.5 kmENOC · petrol station · 80 m off route
- 86 kmestacoza seafood · restaurant · 60 m off route
- 86 kmADNOC · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 94.6 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 94.9 kmNew Al Jeel Supermarket & Spices Mill · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 95.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 103.5 kmCafteria Al Shabab · café · on the route
Worth a stop
- 7.2 km — Reservoir. Observation deck (viewpoint)
- 47.4 km — Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails (attraction)
- 94.6 km — Al Badiyah Fort (castle)
- 103.2 km — Khorfakkan Beach (picnic site)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Thai gate Khorfakkan (190 m), BaskinRobbins (240 m), Al Fouj (810 m)
- Shops
- فيفا (600 m), Al Safeer Centre (780 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch 17.7 km without café, shop or water (km 34.6-52.3)
- 95.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 65.8 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limit
