The Nazwa loop

Route overview

Riders after a long, near-flat 88.2 km day, where distance rather than the 154 m of climbing sets the effort.

An 88.2 km loop from Nazwa in the UAE's Hajar Mountains region, almost flat with just 154 m of climbing.

The loop starts in Nazwa, beneath the 200 m bluff of Qarn Nazwa, with Al Fareed Restaurant at the roadside as the ride sets off. The first stretch is gently rising ground: the 2 December Cafeteria comes at 11.9 km, Al Dafain at 22.7 km, and a drinking water point just beyond at 22.9 km. The high point of the whole route, 194 m, arrives at 26.7 km, and the gain to that point accounts for 58% of the day's total climbing. From there the road runs on through Al Khawālid at 31.8 km and Sha'biyyat Bahayis at 38.2 km, with the terrain barely changing. Al Fayah follows at 55.6 km, and the ground continues to tip very slowly downwards towards Mahafiz at 68.7 km. The lowest point of the loop, 133 m, comes immediately afterwards at 69.2 km. The closing 19 km bring the route back to Nazwa at 86.3 km, with only a slight rise from the low point to finish. Across 88.2 km the total gain is 154 m, and the difference between highest and lowest ground is just 61 m, so the profile is close to level throughout.

Highlights

• Qarn Nazwa, a 200 m peak beside the start
• High point of 194 m at 26.7 km
• Al Dafain, Al Khawālid and Sha'biyyat Bahayis strung along the loop
• Just 154 m of climbing over 88.2 km

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

3–4 hours riding

Know before you go

• No café or water point listed after 22.9 km, leaving some 65 km to the finish
• 29°C recorded in October; carry more than you think you need

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