Cyclists.com

Around Muscat

Muscat, Muhafazat Masqat, OmanRoad

Route contributed by Stefan · Created from a ride on Saturday 20th January 2024

154 km
Distance
1,620 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
Embankment in Mutrah (Muscat, Oman).
Photo: Ondřej Žváček · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,620 m
Distance
154 km
0100200300400m0 km50100154 km383 m · highest, at 80.2 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Riders suited to long distances with moderate climbing over mixed main and minor roads.

154 km paved loop starting and finishing in Muscat, Oman, with 1586 m of climbing.

This 154 km route begins in Muscat and passes through places including Madinat al Ilam (1.8 km), Qurum (8.1 km), Al Amerat (22.6 km), and more, ending back at Muscat. The route is fully paved and consists mainly of main and major roads, with 126.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane and 16.6 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest sections on named roads are 51.8 km on Muscat - Qurayyat - Sur Road and 33.6 km on Al Mazari Road.

Highlights

  • Climbs reach up to 384 m height
  • Longest descent of 9.1 km dropping 229 m
  • Passes near Jabal Akhbar at 130 km
  • Al Qurm natural Park near start

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Qurum 8.1 km
  2. al Wutayyah 9.7 km
  3. Wadi Adai 12.8 km
  4. Al Bajriyah 21 km
  5. Al Amerat 22.6 km
  6. al Mahaj al Shamaliyah 22.6 km
  7. Sayh adh Dhabi 25.3 km
  8. Al Hajar 36 km
  9. Al Mahyul 45.1 km
  10. Manzariyah 47.4 km
  11. Fuad al Hadu 50.1 km
  12. Saadi 53.2 km
  13. Muhaydith 53.5 km
  14. Jahlut 54.1 km
  15. Madam 56.8 km
  16. Shukayli 58.4 km
  17. Dīm 62 km
  18. ‘Arqī 72.2 km
  19. Mazra‘ Sumayr 84.9 km
  20. Sawāqim 87.5 km
  21. Makhādah 88.8 km
  22. al Mazari 121.7 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—11.6 km2.1 km68 m3.2 %6.9 %93 m
—73.4 km2.3 km56 m2.4 %3.4 %310 m
—76 km2.2 km56 m2.6 %4.3 %369 m
—90.9 km2.1 km55 m2.6 %4.3 %196 m
—94 km2.7 km72 m2.7 %7.3 %267 m
—106.5 km2.1 km68 m3.3 %7.5 %119 m
—113.5 km1.8 km79 m4.4 %9.1 %151 m
—119.4 km1.8 km45 m2.6 %4.3 %197 m
Wadi Dayqah141.5 km4.5 km215 m4.8 %8.5 %253 m

High point 384 m at 78.9 km; low point 1 m. Passes beneath Jabal Akhbar.

Wadi Dayqah · starts at 141.5 km

4.1 km at 5.1% · 207 m
50100150200250m8.9%3.1%0 km1234.2 km259 msteepest 8.9%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
44% main road · 41% major road · 11% minor road · 4% quiet street
Main roads
126.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
16.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Muscat - Qurayyat - Sur Road (52 km), Al Mazari Road (34 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
18% climbing · 18% descending · 64% flat
Steep sections
5.9 km over 5% · 0.5 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.6% at 147.7 km
Longest descent
9.1 km from 80.2 km, dropping 229 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 36 km, from 106 km to 142 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmCafé · 90 m off route
  2. 0 kmFree drinking filtered water · drinking water · 70 m off route
  3. 1.2 kmToilets · 100 m off route
  4. 4.1 kmAl Makhan · café · on the route
  5. 7.8 kmScientific Pharmacy · pharmacy · 100 m off route
  6. 10 kmCoffee Shop · café · 210 m off route
  7. 10.7 kmAl Maha · petrol station · 80 m off route
  8. 12.6 kmWholesale of Different Food Products · supermarket · 160 m off route
  9. 24.8 kmice shake · café · 200 m off route
  10. 26.4 kmAdLife Hospital · hospital · 120 m off route
  11. 33.2 kmToilets · 100 m off route
  12. 37 kmمخبز صحار · bakery · 160 m off route
  13. 52.3 kmمستشفى المسرة · clinic · 280 m off route
  14. 54.2 kmSupermarket · on the route
  15. 54.2 kmDrinking water · 80 m off route
  16. 87.3 kmConvenience store · 130 m off route
  17. 105.9 kmShell · petrol station · on the route
  18. 142.5 kmمطعم زهرة قريات · restaurant · 140 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 0 km — Al Qurm natural Park (attraction)
  • 6.1 km — Fun zone (attraction)
  • 122.8 km — Wadi Dayqah Dam Overlook (viewpoint)

At the start

  • The jungle · restaurant · 100 m
  • Free drinking filtered water · drinking water · 70 m
  • Coffee Shop · café · 380 m
  • Al Maida restaurant · restaurant · 250 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
6–8½ hours riding
Season
January with temperatures around 27 °C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 25–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest stretch with no café, shop or water: 35.7 km from km 105.9 to 141.6
  • 126.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 16.6 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limit or more

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

9 photographs from the road

Photo: Ondřej Žváček · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

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