Cyclists.com

Coast to Coast: Sharjah to Dibba

Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus and Stefan · Last ridden Saturday 19th March 2022

166 km
Distance
1,718 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
View of United Arab Emirates taken during ISS Expedition 59.
Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,718 m
Distance
166 km
0200400600800m0 km50100166 km656 m · highest, at 127.2 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for riders comfortable with long distance and moderate climbing over 829 m.

Point-to-point 166km ride from Sharjah to Dibba in UAE's Hajar Mountains with 829m climbing.

The route starts from Sharjah, quickly passing through areas such as Al Mamzar (2.1 km), Al Nahda (2.3 km), Al Khan (7.8 km), and continues through numerous suburbs and towns like Al Majaz (15.6 km), Al Jubail (17.9 km), Al Soor (18.2 km), and Al Qasimia (19.2 km). The road surface is 98% paved with no gravel sections. Road types include 60 km on Khorfakkan Road among others, with 13 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 118 km on roads with speed limits above 80 km/h. Climbing begins significantly after km 96, with a series of four climbs totaling 658m of gain over 14 km. The first climb is 2.2 km at 2.5% average gradient, peaking at 231 m elevation, followed by a steeper section starting at 102.3 km with maximum gradients reaching 11.8%. The longest climb from 117.8 km gains 383 m in 6.3 km with an average gradient of 6.1%. The highest point is 751 m at 130.4 km. A long 9.7 km descent follows starting at 132 km. The final stretch leads through coastal towns ending at Dibba with restaurants and fast food options available. Along the route there are cafés and restaurants spaced mostly in the first 60 km and again after 100 km. Notable gaps include a 38 km stretch from 59.8 to 98 km with no café, shop, or water source. There are toilets at several points including start and finish. Bike shops are near 13 and 20 km. Petrol stations and supermarkets are intermittently available.

Highlights

  • Climbs starting from 96 km with gradients up to 11.9%
  • Highest point at 751 m near 130 km
  • Long 9.7 km descent from 132 km
  • Khorfakkan Road ridden for 60 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Mamzar 2.1 km
  2. Al Nahda 2.3 km
  3. Al Khan 7.8 km
  4. Al Khalidiyah 11.3 km
  5. Al Layyah 12.2 km
  6. Al Majaz 15.6 km
  7. Al Jubail 17.9 km
  8. Al Gharb 18.2 km
  9. Al Soor 18.2 km
  10. Al Qasimia 19.2 km
  11. Oud Al Muteena 29.5 km
  12. Al Mizhar 3 31.1 km
  13. Al Badaia 40.4 km
  14. Al Ttay 40.8 km
  15. Qatah 51 km
  16. Sha'biyyat as Rashidiyyah 64.1 km
  17. Wishāh 87.5 km
  18. Al Weshah 88.2 km
  19. Daftah 117.8 km
  20. Ghadf 118.1 km
  21. Shis 126.1 km
  22. Ar Rufaysah 138.2 km
  23. Al Qadsia 140.1 km
  24. Al Yarmouk 140.3 km
  25. Al Burdi 140.3 km
  26. Al Hutain 140.6 km
  27. Al Rifa'a 140.9 km
  28. Al Hayawah 140.9 km
  29. Khor Fakkan 140.9 km
  30. Al Mudaifi 142.5 km
  31. Lulayyah 150.2 km
  32. Zubarah 150.7 km
  33. Al Badīyah 153.9 km
  34. Haqil 155.2 km
  35. Nehay 155.2 km
  36. Sharm 157.9 km
  37. Al Aqqah 161.6 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—96.3 km2.2 km55 m2.5 %3.8 %231 m
—102.3 km2.4 km89 m3.7 %9.4 %330 m
—110.9 km3 km111 m3.7 %11.8 %467 m
Daftah climb117.8 km6.3 km383 m6.1 %11.9 %748 m

High point 751 m at 130.4 km; low point 1 m.

Daftah climb · starts at 117.7 km

6.3 km at 6% · 378 m
400450500550600650700m3.6%5.9%8.3%11%11%0 km123456.3 km744 msteepest 11.3%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Jabal Daftah · starts at 117.8 km

6.1 km at 6.5% · 396 m
400450500550600650700m3.1%6.5%9.4%0.6%0 km123456.3 km641 msteepest 9.4%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
59% major road · 18% motorway · 12% main road · 5% minor road · 1% unmapped
Main roads
146.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
118.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Khorfakkan Road (60 km), Maleha Road (18 km), Sharjah - Kalba Road (11 km), Batayeh Road (8 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
14% climbing · 11% descending · 75% flat
Steep sections
3.8 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7.6% at 146.4 km
Longest descent
9.7 km from 132 km, dropping 553 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: 38 km, from 60 km to 98 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmToilets · 170 m off route
  2. 7.2 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 40 m off route
  3. 8.7 kmAlpha Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m off route
  4. 16 kmAuberge · café · 90 m off route
  5. 18.6 kmAl Douri Supermarket · supermarket · 50 m off route
  6. 19.6 kmAl Shamikh · bike shop · 160 m off route
  7. 26.2 kmAl Sarab Cafeteria · café · 170 m off route
  8. 33 kmSafty 2 · clinic · 570 m off route
  9. 42.4 kmToilets · 100 m off route
  10. 46.6 kmStarbucks · café · 280 m off route
  11. 51.1 kmHani Wa Aafia Resturant · restaurant · 100 m off route
  12. 59.8 kmAl Muntather · café · 140 m off route
  13. 124.5 kmEmarat · petrol station · 130 m off route
  14. 124.8 kmToilets · 70 m off route
  15. 137.7 kmWishi · restaurant · 100 m off route
  16. 153.1 kmADNOC · petrol station · 110 m off route
  17. 154.4 kmToilets · 140 m off route
  18. 163 kmestacoza seafood · restaurant · 80 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 4.9 km — Ali Bin Rashid Square (castle)
  • 34.3 km — Sheikha naama (viewpoint)
  • 137 km — Reservoir. Observation deck (viewpoint)
  • 154.4 km — Al Badiyah Fort (castle)

At the finish

  • estacoza seafood · restaurant · 230 m
  • Subway · fast food · 300 m
  • Sapore · restaurant · 270 m

Stay after this ride

  • Fujairah Rotana · hotel · 170 m from the finish
  • Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort · hotel · 190 m from the finish
  • InterContinental Fujairah Resort · hotel · 360 m from the finish
  • Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort · hotel · 780 m from the finish
  • Naama · hotel · 880 m from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
5½–7½ hours riding
Season
Mar
Best months
Dec to Mar — daily highs of 24–28 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 38 km stretch without café, shop or water from 59.8 to 98 km
  • 146 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 118 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more

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

6 photographs from the road

Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Alexandermcnabb · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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