Around Sur
A mountainous 52 km gravel route from Qalhat, Muscat & Eastern Hajar through Halut, Al Wiljah and Umq Bir, with 2,392 m of climbing over the Qalhat climb and the Qalhat climb. The first 35 km has no café, shop or water. Mostly unpaved: 93% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 4% as paved and 2% has no surface data.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 51.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 2,392 m
- Riding time
- 3½–5 hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 35 km
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Qalhat
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 2,392 m
- 52 km
Route description
- Qalhat
- Qalhat climb
- Qalhat climb
- Qalhat climb
- Halut
- Al Wiljah
- Umq Bir
Starting at Qalhat (7 m), the route immediately climbs for 18.4 km gaining 1646 m with an average gradient of 9% and reaching a top height of 1654 m. The steepest 500 m section near 1.6 km has a gradient of 16.9%. After a brief descent, there are successive climbs: 5.9 km at 4.8% to 1875 m, then 2.2 km at 7.9% to 2035 m. The profile peaks around 30.5 km at 2035 m, followed by a longest descent of 9.7 km dropping 860 m from 31.7 km.
The final section includes climbs of 2.3 km at 5.2% near 39.7 km and 1.4 km at 8.4% starting at 47.3 km finishing near 833 m. Most of the route (79%) is on minor roads with 16% on tracks and 3% on paths. The surface is predominantly gravel or unpaved (93%), with only 4% paved. There is a stretch of 34.5 km from the start with no café, shop or water; a supermarket is available at Halut (34.5 km), 25 m off route.
Places passed in order are Halut, Al Wiljah, and Umq Bir. The ride has 2392 m total elevation gain with 79% of climbing in the first half of the route. The route shape is point to point, suitable for a challenging mountain cycling experience in Oman’s eastern region.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Qalhat climb (18.4 km at 9 %), the Qalhat climb (5.9 km at 4.8 %) and the Qalhat climb (2.2 km at 7.9 %).
- Tops out at 2,035 m, 30.5 km in.
- A 9.7 km descent dropping 860 m.
Highlights
- Climb starting at Qalhat to 1654 m
- Longest descent 9.7 km drop of 860 m
- Top height 2035 m near 30.5 km
- Supermarket at 34.5 km near Halut
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qalhat climb | 0 km | 18.4 km · 1646 m · 9 % · max 20.8 % | 18.4 km · 1646 m · 9 % | 1654 m |
| Qalhat climb | 20.8 km | 5.9 km · 284 m · 4.8 % · max 10.4 % | 5.9 km · 284 m · 4.8 % | 1875 m |
| Qalhat climb | 28.3 km | 2.2 km · 175 m · 7.9 % · max 13.8 % | 2.2 km · 175 m · 7.9 % | 2035 m |
| Unnamed climb | 39.7 km | 2.3 km · 121 m · 5.2 % · max 12.6 % | — | 1293 m |
| Unnamed climb | 47.3 km | 1.4 km · 121 m · 8.4 % · max 13.7 % | — | 833 m |
Qalhat climb · full ascent, starts at 0 km
Qalhat climb · full ascent, starts at 20.8 km
Qalhat climb · full ascent, starts at 28.3 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 79% minor road · 16% track · 3% path · 2% unmapped
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved: 93% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 4% as paved and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 58% climbing · 33% descending · 8% flat
- Steep sections
- 22.2 km over 5% · 14.2 km over 8% · 8.4 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 16.9% at 1.6 km
- Longest descent
- 9.7 km from 31.7 km, dropping 860 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 35 km, from the start. Along the route: 1 shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 34.5 kmSupermarket · on the route
Know before you go
- 34.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from 0 km
- 93% gravel or unpaved surface
- 14.2 km of climbing over 8% gradient
- 13 km on minor roads without cycle lane