Road · Oman
Muscat to Ibra
A hilly 242 km road cycling loop from Muscat, Muhafazat Masqat through Madinat al Ilam, Al Amerat and Saadi, with 2,010 m of climbing over Wadi Dayqah. Most of it (178.4 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 28.8 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 51 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 52–104).
At a glance
- Best for
- Long endurance days for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 241.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 2,010 m
- Riding time
- 8½–11½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 51 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Muscat
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 2,010 m
- 242 km
Route description
- Muscat
- Madinat al Ilam
- Al Amerat
- Saadi
- Shukayli
- al Mazari
- Wadi Dayqah
- Fiyāḑ
- Al Mahyul
- Muscat
The route starts in Muscat passing through several suburbs including Madinat al Ilam, Qurum, and Al Amerat within the first 20 km. It continues on a mix of major roads, main roads, minor roads, and quiet streets, with the longest section on the Muscat - Qurayyat - Sur Road for 102 km. The surface is mostly paved with 97% asphalt and a small 1% of gravel or unpaved sections. Initial climbing chiefly occurs before the halfway point, making up 67% of the total gain, with some moderate climbs between 72.2 km and 137.8 km featuring gradients up to 19.1% over 3.8 km.
The highest point at 383 m is reached near 77.6 km. The profile includes several climbs with gradients mostly around 2-5%, a steep section at 147.5 km with an 8.5% gradient, and a lengthy descent of almost 10 km following 79.9 km. The route has 178.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 28.8 km on roads with speed limits over 80 km/h. Services include cafés and shops near the start in Muscat and scattered along the route, though there is a 51.2 km stretch with no café, shop, or water between 52.3 km and 103.5 km. Petrol stations and toilets are available sporadically. The route passes beneath Jabal Akhbar near 127.3 km and returns to Muscat where multiple restaurants, cafés, and a clinic are available.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Wadi Dayqah (4.1 km at 5.1 %).
- Tops out at 383 m, 77.6 km in.
- A 9.8 km descent dropping 234 m.
Highlights
- Highest point at 383 m near 77.6 km
- Longest descent 9.8 km dropping 234 m
- Passing beneath Jabal Akhbar at 127.3 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 72.2 km | 3.8 km · 89 m · 2.4 % · max 3.7 % | — | 342 m |
| Unnamed climb | 91.8 km | 3.6 km · 71 m · 2 % · max 6.9 % | — | 268 m |
| Unnamed climb | 111.2 km | 2.5 km · 71 m · 2.8 % · max 9.4 % | — | 150 m |
| Wadi Dayqah | 137.8 km | 3.8 km · 209 m · 5.5 % | 4.1 km · 207 m · 5.1 % | 250 m |
Wadi Dayqah · full ascent, starts at 137.8 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 74% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 28.8 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 50% major road · 28% main road · 16% minor road · 4% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks · 1% unmapped
- Main roads
- 178.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 28.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Muscat - Qurayyat - Sur Road (102 km), Al Mazari Road (31 km), Sultan Qaboos Road (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 12% climbing · 15% descending · 73% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.2 km over 5% · 1 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.5% at 147.5 km
- Longest descent
- 9.8 km from 79.9 km, dropping 234 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 51 km, from km 52 to 104. Along the route: 88 cafés and restaurants, 18 shops, 3 water points, 15 petrol stations and 7 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmWashroom · toilets · 240 m off route
- 0.4 kmAmerican Speciality Clinics centre · clinic · 90 m off route
- 5.2 kmToilets · 130 m off route
- 9.1 kmAl Maha · petrol station · 80 m off route
- 11 kmMuscat · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 25 kmAdLife Hospital · hospital · 120 m off route
- 35.6 kmمخبز صحار · bakery · 140 m off route
- 52.3 kmCafé · 70 m off route
- 52.3 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
- 119.8 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 139.4 kmOmanoil · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 152.8 kmConvenience store · 180 m off route
- 186 kmCaffee Shop · fast food · 70 m off route
- 211.6 kmice shake · café · 170 m off route
- 215.7 kmAl Safa Modern Shopping Centre · supermarket · 180 m off route
- 225.6 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 228.8 kmAl Fair · supermarket · 210 m off route
- 230 kmDrinking water · on the route
Worth a stop
- 0.4 km — Fun zone (attraction)
- 229.7 km — Al Qurm natural Park (attraction)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Water
- Free drinking filtered water (80 m)
- Food and coffee
- The jungle (110 m), Steak and Burger Factory (260 m), Coffee Shop (470 m)
Know before you go
- 51.2 km without café, shop or water from 52.3 km to 103.5 km
- 178.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 28.8 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or higher
- Short gravel or unpaved sections (1%)