Masafi hills training loop

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with 65 km and 837 m of climbing broken into six short, repeated ascents.

A 65.1 km out-and-back from Masafi through the Hajar Mountains, with 837 m of climbing spread over six short ascents.

The loop begins on the edge of Masafi at Al Ghamarah with an immediate 1.3 km rise at 4.4%, topping out at 494 m, and the road keeps climbing gently to the high point of 521 m at km 7.2. A descent leads to Al Ghūnah, where the hardest sustained effort of the day starts at km 13.1: 2.6 km at 6.1% with a maximum of 10.2%, cresting at 506 m. Al Baha and Yalah follow, the latter with a shorter 1.3 km ramp at 3.5% to 515 m. Through Ash Shubah, Sha'biyyat Qabr al Yahūdī and Sidr the road undulates towards Al Jaroof and Sal Al Asum, where a sharp 1.1 km pitch at km 32 touches 13.2%. Beyond Al Wahi and Mawrid the route runs beneath Jabal Shemah (539 m) and a second unnamed 562 m peak, with a further 1.7 km climb at 4.7% from km 40.3. Asimah, Al Tayyibah and Al Khalabiya mark the turn for home. The low point of 344 m comes at km 50.7, followed by the longest climb of the ride, 4.6 km at 3.4% to 508 m, then a run back past an ADNOC fuel stop at km 61.1 into Masafi.

Highlights

• 2.6 km at 6.1% out of Al Ghūnah, topping at 506 m
• High point of 521 m at km 7.2
• Jabal Shemah (539 m) and a 562 m peak beside the road
• Closing 4.6 km climb at 3.4% to 508 m

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Out & back

Riding time

2½–3½ hours riding

Know before you go

• A short pitch of 13.2% at km 32
• 29°C recorded in October
• Only one restaurant listed, at km 3.3, then no services until km 61.1

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