Cyclists.com

Coast to Coast: Sharjah to Khor Fakkan via the Hills

Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Ridden on Saturday 18th March 2023

218 km
Distance
2,000 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
UAE -OMAN BOARDER.
Photo: SurvivorNgugz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
2,000 m
Distance
218 km
0200400600800m0 km50100150218 km571 m · highest, at 201.7 kmStartFinish

Route overview

This ride suits experienced cyclists prepared for a long 217.6 km route with moderate climbing of 1466 m.

217.6 km coastal route from Sharjah to Khor Fakkan with 1466 m climbing through the Hajar Mountains, mainly on paved main roads and motorways.

Starting in Sharjah, the route quickly passes through urban areas including Al Mamzar, Al Nahda, and Al Khan to Al Qasimia by 18.7 km. It then continues largely on motorways and major roads such as Sharjah - Kalba Road (44.9 km), Maleha Road (33.3 km), and Khorfakkan Road (40.4 km), covering 101.7 km on motorways and 68.6 km on major roads. The surface is mostly paved (97%), with a minor 1% gravel or unpaved section. The route crosses through places like Milehah, Musseili, Shawka, and Daftah before reaching Khor Fakkan at 212.8 km. Climbing is moderate with a total elevation gain of 1466 m. Seven climbs are noted, including a 3.8 km section at 5.1% average gradient and a maximum of 12.3% between 111.3 km and 115.1 km, and a lengthiest descent of 12.8 km dropping 526 m from 201.8 km to near the finish. Most of the terrain is flat or gently rolling, with 14% climbing and 14% descending. Facilities including cafés, supermarkets, petrol stations, bike shops, and toilets occur mostly before 90 km; however, there is a 44.9 km stretch between 90.3 km and 135.2 km without cafés, shops, or water.

Highlights

  • Climbs around 111 km with max 12.3% gradient
  • Longest descent 12.8 km dropping 526 m near 201.8 km
  • Route crosses Sharjah - Kalba Road for 44.9 km
  • Passes through Khor Fakkan at 212.8 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Nahda 2.3 km
  2. Al Khan 7.5 km
  3. Al Khalidiyah 11.3 km
  4. Al Layyah 12 km
  5. Al Majaz 15.3 km
  6. Al Gharb 17.8 km
  7. Al Jubail 17.8 km
  8. Al Soor 17.8 km
  9. Al Qasimia 18.7 km
  10. Oud Al Muteena 29 km
  11. Al Mizhar 3 30.7 km
  12. Al Badaia 40.1 km
  13. Al Ttay 40.5 km
  14. Qatah 50.6 km
  15. Milehah 75.9 km
  16. Musseili 128.6 km
  17. Shawka 135.5 km
  18. Wishāh 159.4 km
  19. Al Weshah 160.6 km
  20. Daftah 190.1 km
  21. Ghadf 190.5 km
  22. Shis 198.3 km
  23. Ar Rufaysah 210.2 km
  24. Al Yarmouk 212 km
  25. Al Qadsia 212 km
  26. Al Hutain 212.4 km
  27. Al Burdi 212.4 km
  28. Al Rifa'a 212.8 km
  29. Al Hayawah 212.8 km
  30. Khor Fakkan 212.8 km
  31. Al Mudaifi 214.4 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—90.2 km3.5 km104 m3 %4.7 %371 m
—95.4 km3.7 km90 m2.5 %4.9 %464 m
Showka climb111.3 km3.8 km192 m5.1 %12.3 %529 m
—168.4 km2.1 km40 m2 %2.7 %216 m
—174.3 km2.4 km81 m3.4 %12.1 %317 m
—183 km2.7 km103 m3.8 %8.8 %453 m
Daftah climb189.7 km4.1 km146 m3.6 %6.8 %512 m

High point 669 m at 196 km; low point 0 m.

Showka climb · starts at 111.3 km

3.6 km at 5.4% · 198 m
350400450500m4.5%7.8%0 km1233.9 km531 msteepest 7.8%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

Daftah climb · starts at 189.6 km

4.1 km at 4% · 163 m
400450500m4.9%4.5%5.9%0 km1233.7 km529 msteepest 5.9%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
47% motorway · 32% major road · 8% main road · 4% cycle path · 1% unmapped
Main roads
186.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
143 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
8.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (45 km), Khorfakkan Road (40 km), Maleha Road (33 km), Al Watan Road (13 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
14% climbing · 14% descending · 72% flat
Steep sections
4.6 km over 5% · 0.8 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.3% at 115.6 km
Longest descent
12.8 km from 201.8 km, dropping 526 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: 45 km, from 90 km to 135 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmToilets · 170 m off route
  2. 2.3 kmAl Iqbal Pharmacy · pharmacy · 220 m off route
  3. 8 kmAl Madina Supermarket · supermarket · 40 m off route
  4. 13.3 kmAl Jazeera Bicycles · bike shop · 170 m off route
  5. 14.5 kmPharmacy Ibn Zohr · pharmacy · 40 m off route
  6. 18.7 kmfalafll · café · 50 m off route
  7. 19.1 kmTexaco · petrol station · 70 m off route
  8. 27.7 kmADNOC · petrol station · 60 m off route
  9. 37.2 kmBrandsouq · supermarket · 130 m off route
  10. 41.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 130 m off route
  11. 59.3 kmAl Muntather · café · on the route
  12. 74.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 140 m off route
  13. 78 kmAl Alwan Althalatha Cafe · café · 100 m off route
  14. 96.7 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  15. 135.2 kmShowka Bicycles · bike shop · 90 m off route
  16. 148.7 kmAl Alwan Pharmacy LLC · pharmacy · 120 m off route
  17. 196.7 kmAlsad Ice Cream - Branch 2 · ice cream · 40 m off route
  18. 208.7 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 40 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 4.7 km — Ali Bin Rashid Square (castle)
  • 14.9 km — Almajaz Park (attraction)
  • 33.7 km — Sheikha naama (viewpoint)
  • 208.7 km — Reservoir. Observation deck (viewpoint)

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
7½–10½ hours riding
Season
March with a temperature of about 27°C.
Best months
Dec to Mar — daily highs of 24–28 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 44.9 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from 90.3 to 135.2 km
  • 186.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane
  • 143 km on roads with speeds posted over 80 km/h
  • Short gravel or unpaved section 1% of route

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

1 photograph from the road

Photo: SurvivorNgugz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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