Cyclists.com

Nazwa Loop

Nazwa, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 12th October 2024

88 km
Distance
144 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Nazwa Loop

Elevation profile

Total ascent
144 m
Distance
88 km
050100150200m0 km20406088 km185 m · highest, at 27.3 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

This moderate-distance loop with low climbing suits riders comfortable with mixed main and major roads.

An 88 km loop in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, starting and finishing at Nazwa with 154 m of elevation gain.

The Nazwa loop begins at Nazwa, near the peak of Qarn Nazwa (200 m). The route passes through Al Dafain at 22.7 km, where the highest point of 185 m is reached at 27.1 km. It continues through Al Khawālid at 31.8 km, Sha'biyyat Bahayis at 38.2 km, and Al Fayah at 55.6 km. From Al Fayah, the route goes on to Mahafiz at 68.7 km, then back to Nazwa at 86.3 km. The terrain is mostly flat with 95% flat, 3% climbing, and 2% descending. Climbing is gentle, with only 0.1 km above 10% gradient, beginning at the start.

Highlights

  • Peak near the start: Qarn Nazwa (200 m)
  • Highest point at 27.1 km (185 m)
  • Longest named road: Mahafiz - Al Fayah Road (14.6 km)
  • Passes through six towns including Al Dafain and Al Fayah

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Dafain 22.7 km
  2. Al Khawālid 31.8 km
  3. Sha'biyyat Bahayis 38.2 km
  4. Al Fayah 55.6 km
  5. Mahafiz 68.7 km

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
79% main road · 17% major road · 3% quiet street · 1% track
Main roads
83.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
33.4 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 (10 km), E55 (4 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
3% climbing · 2% descending · 95% 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: 31 km, from 56 km to 87 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmAl Fareed Restaurant · restaurant · 120 m off route
  2. 0.3 kmNazwa Valley Grocery · supermarket · 190 m off route
  3. 12 km2 December Cafeteria · café · 50 m off route
  4. 22.2 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 100 m off route
  5. 22.9 kmDrinking water · 80 m off route
  6. 47.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · on the route
  7. 55.6 kmMavia Al Faya · restaurant · 80 m off route
  8. 86.9 kmAbdulla Al Kabi Cafétéria · restaurant · 180 m off route
  9. 86.9 kmDesert Mountain Supermarket · supermarket · 180 m off route

At the start and finish

  • Al Fareed Restaurant · restaurant · 120 m
  • Desert Mountain Supermarket · supermarket · 300 m
  • Nazwa Valley Grocery · supermarket · 330 m
  • Ghadeer Saeed Café & Restaurant · restaurant · 280 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
3–4 hours riding
Season
October with temperatures around 29°C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 25–27 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 83.8 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 33.4 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more
  • 1 km of gravel or unpaved surface
  • No café, shop or water for 31.3 km after km 55.6

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

2 photographs from the road

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