Muscat to Ibra and back

Route overview

Strong riders comfortable with a 241.8 km day, where the 1,878 m of climbing matters less than the sheer distance.

A 241.8 km loop from Muscat over the hills to Al Amerat, out through the interior villages towards Ibra and back along the coast, with 1,878 m of climbing.

The loop starts at sea level in Muscat, passing Madinat al Ilam, Qurum and al Wutayyah in the first 8 km before turning inland. The road climbs away from the coast to Al Amerat at km 20.7 and Sayh adh Dhabi, then threads a string of villages — Manzariyah, Fuad al Hadu, Saadi, Muhaydith, Jahlut, Madam, Shukayli and Dīm — between km 45 and 60. A café and drinking water at km 52.3 are the last listed supplies for a long stretch. The only classified climb begins at km 70.8 near ‘Arqī: 3.4 km at 2.3% averaging, 77 m of gain, topping out at 321 m. The high point of the whole ride, 350 m, comes soon after at km 75.2. Two thirds of the day's climbing is done in the first half, so the return leg is the flatter one. Beyond Mazra‘ Sumayr and al Mazari the route runs past Jabal Akhbar at km 127.3, then back through Makhādah, Sawāqim, Fiyāḑ, Hayfadh, Hamah and Salil. Al Hajar at km 200.4 marks the run-in, followed by al Mahaj al Shamaliyah and Wadi Adai before the cafés and restaurants clustered around km 228-230 in Muscat.

Highlights

• High point of 350 m at km 75.2
• 3.4 km climb from km 70.8 to 321 m
• Village sequence from Manzariyah to Dīm
• Past Jabal Akhbar at km 127.3

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

8½–11½ hours riding

Season

January, when the two recordings show 21-26°C.

Know before you go

• No café or water listed between km 52.3 and km 152.6
• Fuel stops thin out between km 163.7 and km 204.3
• Recorded temperatures of 21-26°C in January; hotter months would be harder

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