Road · United Arab Emirates
Fujairah to Al Buraymi
A hilly 132 km mixed-surface cycling out-and-back route from Sha'biyyat Milāḩ, Ras Al Khaimah through Huwaylat, Suhaylah and Ad Daymaniyah, with 1,398 m of climbing over the As Simsimānīyah climb. Most of it (94.7 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 3.3 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 22 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 27–48). Mixed surface: 83% is mapped as paved and 16% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Long endurance days for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 132.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,398 m
- Riding time
- 5½–8 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 22 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Sha'biyyat Milāḩ
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,398 m
- 132 km
Route description
- Sha'biyyat Milāḩ
- Huwaylat
- As Simsimānīyah climb
- Suhaylah
- Ad Daymaniyah
- Rayy
- Ash Shuwayhah
- Al Karbi
- Sayh ad Damaniyyah
- Sha'biyyat Milāḩ
Starting from Sha'biyyat Milāḩ, the route heads east passing through Huwaylat at 8.7 km, reaching Suhaylah at 22.9 km and Ad Daymaniyah at 32.4 km before arriving at Al Khalw at 46.6 km. The route features climbing predominantly in the first half, with a total elevation gain of 1398 m. Key climbs include a 5.8 km climb starting at 9 km with an average gradient of 3.3% reaching 408 m elevation, and several shorter climbs including one reaching 663 m at 55.9 km. Road surfaces are mostly paved (83%) but include 16% gravel or unpaved sections. The roads consist of 59% main road, 22% minor road, and some track and quiet street sections. Notably, 75.3 km is on main roads, with 94.7 km without a cycle lane and 3.3 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
The route crosses from the UAE into Oman and back. Towns passed in Oman include Rayy (53.2 km), Ash Shuwayhah (69.7 km), Al Karbī ash Sharqīyah (86.4 km), Al Karbi (90.4 km), Sayh ad Damaniyyah (96.7 km), and Al Wajajah (100.4 km). There is a stretch of 21.7 km without a cafe, shop, or water between 26.7 km and 48.4 km. Available facilities include petrol stations at 26.7 km, 101.9 km, and 120 km, a cafe at 20.4 km (off-route 280 m), and water access points at 48.4 km, 53.2 km, 69.7 km, and 88.1 km.
The route reaches its highest point at 665 m at 72.3 km, beneath Jabal Ruwayshid at 106.6 km and near Jabal Rihab at 28.3 km. The longest descent is 5.9 km starting from 116.8 km, dropping 174 m. The ride is suited to those ready for a long distance with moderate climbing, mainly uphill in the first half. Recorded temperatures are 30°C in November.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the As Simsimānīyah climb (5.9 km at 3.2 %).
- Tops out at 665 m, 72.3 km in.
- A 5.9 km descent dropping 174 m.
- Crosses a border: UAE and Oman.
Highlights
- Climb to 663 m peak at 55.9 km
- Viewpoint near 66.3 km
- Jabal Rihab mountain at 28.3 km
- Hatta sign attraction at 104 km
Along the route
Places passed· crosses into Oman
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As Simsimānīyah climb | 9 km | 5.8 km · 189 m · 3.3 % · max 9.5 % | 5.9 km · 189 m · 3.2 % | 408 m |
| Unnamed climb | 39.4 km | 3.1 km · 78 m · 2.6 % · max 6.5 % | — | 405 m |
| Unnamed climb | 47.9 km | 2.5 km · 104 m · 4.1 % · max 9.7 % | — | 546 m |
| Unnamed climb | 51.6 km | 4.3 km · 148 m · 3.5 % · max 10.6 % | — | 663 m |
| Unnamed climb | 64.1 km | 4.2 km · 98 m · 2.3 % · max 4.8 % | — | 598 m |
| Unnamed climb | 109.4 km | 2.5 km · 74 m · 2.9 % · max 6.7 % | — | 376 m |
As Simsimānīyah climb · full ascent, starts at 8.9 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 72% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 3.3 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 59% main road · 22% minor road · 15% major road · 2% quiet street · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 94.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 3.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Al Saf-Al Shuwaiha Road (50 km), E44 (11 km), Al Aqar - Al Wajajah - Al Rawdah Road (7 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 83% is mapped as paved and 16% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 28% climbing · 28% descending · 44% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.4 km over 5% · 0.9 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 16.7% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 5.9 km from 116.8 km, dropping 174 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 22 km, from km 27 to 48. Along the route: 3 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop, 4 water points, 3 petrol stations, 1 public toilet and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 20.4 kmJuicy Fruity · café · 280 m off route
- 20.4 kmToilets · 280 m off route
- 26.7 kmAl Maha · petrol station · on the route
- 48.4 kmSpring · 30 m off route
- 53.2 kmDrinking water · 110 m off route
- 69.7 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 88.1 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 101.9 kmShell · petrol station · on the route
- 108.3 kmHatta Wild Cafe · café · 300 m off route
- 108.3 kmBike shop · 290 m off route
- 120 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 120.2 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · 90 m off route
Worth a stop
- 66.3 km — View (viewpoint)
- 104 km — Hatta sign (attraction)
Know before you go
- 21.7 km without café, shop or water from 26.7 km
- 94.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 3.3 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 16% gravel or unpaved sections
