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Al Dafain Loop via Mahafiz - Al Fayah Road

Nazwa, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Last ridden Saturday 31st May 2025

65 km
Distance
123 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap

Elevation profile

Total ascent
123 m
Distance
65 km
050100150200m0 km204065 km181 m · highest, at 11.1 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders looking for a mostly flat 64 km loop with moderate climbing.

64.6 km loop ride in UAE's Hajar Mountains from Nazwa with 123 m climbing.

This 64.6 km loop starts and finishes at Nazwa in the Hajar Mountains, reaching a highest point of 180 m at 11 km and dropping to a low of 129 m near 45.7 km. The ride passes through Al Dafain at 21.5 km, Al Fayah at 32.2 km, and Mahafiz at 45.3 km. The profile is predominantly flat, with 93% flat terrain and minimal steep sections.

Highlights

  • Passes Al Dafain at 21.5 km
  • Highest point 180 m at 11 km
  • Longest named road Mahafiz - Al Fayah Road
  • Near peak Qarn Nazwa at 64.2 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Dafain 21.5 km
  2. Al Fayah 32.2 km
  3. Mahafiz 45.3 km

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
84% main road · 13% major road · 2% quiet street
Main roads
62 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
27.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Mahafiz - Al Fayah Road (15 km), Al Dhaid-Maliha Road (5 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
4% climbing · 3% descending · 93% flat

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: 32 km, from 32 km to 64 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0.1 kmAbdulla Al Kabi Cafétéria · restaurant · 170 m off route
  2. 0.1 kmDesert Mountain Supermarket · supermarket · 170 m off route
  3. 11.8 km2 December Cafeteria · café · 40 m off route
  4. 23.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  5. 32.2 kmMavia Al Faya · restaurant · 40 m off route
  6. 63.9 kmNazwa Valley Grocery · supermarket · 180 m off route
  7. 64.2 kmAl Fareed Restaurant · restaurant · 170 m off route

At the start and finish

  • Desert Mountain Supermarket · supermarket · 210 m
  • Nazwa Valley Grocery · supermarket · 210 m
  • Abdulla Al Kabi Cafétéria · restaurant · 210 m
  • Nazwa Oiasis Restaurant · restaurant · 210 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
2½–3 hours riding
Season
May
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 25–27 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest stretch without café, shop or water 31.7 km from 32.2 to 63.9 km
  • 62 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 27.9 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits

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

7 photographs from the road

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