Cyclists.com

Coast to Coast: Sharjah to Khor Fakkan

Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Last ridden Saturday 23rd November 2024

165 km
Distance
1,295 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
Al Khan beach - sunset (Sharjah)
Photo: Avijith.sukumar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,295 m
Distance
165 km
0200400600800m0 km50100165 km581 m · highest, at 141.2 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Riders prepared for a long 165 km route with moderate climbing of 829 m.

A 165 km ride across the Hajar Mountains from Sharjah to Khor Fakkan in the UAE with 829 m climbing.

The route starts near Sharjah and heads through Al Mamzar (2 km), Al Nahda (2.3 km), and several other suburbs within the first 20 km, mostly on paved roads. The initial terrain is mostly flat with some minor elevation gain. The road mix includes 51% major roads, 22% main roads, and 18% motorway. There is a stretch of 56.8 km from km 58.7 to 115.5 with no café, shop, or water, requiring careful planning. Climbing begins after km 113.8 with a series of four climbs ranging from 54 m to 191 m elevation gain, averaging between 2.5% and 4.9%, with the steepest section at 13.2%. The highest point is at 624 m around km 147.9. The longest descent is 6 km dropping 345 m starting near km 149.4. Most of the route is paved and on main and major roads including 60.9 km on Khorfakkan Road. Main roads lack cycle lanes for 149.3 km and 125.4 km have posted speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Cafés, shops, and petrol stations are available primarily in the first 58.7 km and after 115.5 km, including a supermarket near km 154.1 and restaurants at the finish in Khor Fakkan.

Highlights

  • Climb averaging 4.9% over 2.1 km to 459 m
  • Highest point at 624 m around 148 km
  • Longest descent 6 km dropping 345 m from 149 km
  • Route passes through Sharjah suburbs early on

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Nahda 2.3 km
  2. Al Khan 6.7 km
  3. Al Khalidiyah 10.2 km
  4. Al Layyah 11.2 km
  5. Al Majaz 14.4 km
  6. Al Gharb 17.2 km
  7. Al Jubail 17.2 km
  8. Al Soor 17.2 km
  9. Al Qasimia 18.1 km
  10. Oud Al Muteena 28.4 km
  11. Al Mizhar 3 30 km
  12. Al Badaia 39.6 km
  13. Al Ttay 39.6 km
  14. Qatah 49.8 km
  15. Mahafiz 72.9 km
  16. Sha'biyyat as Rashidiyyah 81.5 km
  17. Wishāh 104.9 km
  18. Al Weshah 105.9 km
  19. Daftah 135.2 km
  20. Ghadf 135.8 km
  21. Shis 142.5 km
  22. Ar Rufaysah 155.6 km
  23. Al Yarmouk 157.6 km
  24. Al Qadsia 157.6 km
  25. Al Burdi 157.9 km
  26. Al Hutain 158.2 km
  27. Al Rifa'a 158.2 km
  28. Khor Fakkan 158.2 km
  29. Al Hayawah 158.5 km
  30. Al Mudaifi 160.1 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—113.8 km2.1 km54 m2.5 %3.8 %231 m
—119.7 km2.1 km87 m4.2 %13.2 %329 m
—128.5 km2.1 km104 m4.9 %11.5 %459 m
Daftah climb135.2 km4.3 km191 m4.5 %10.6 %556 m

High point 624 m at 147.9 km; low point 1 m.

Daftah climb · starts at 135.2 km

7.4 km at 4% · 298 m
350400450500550600m4.3%3.4%4.7%7.4%7.5%0 km1234567.3 km615 msteepest 7.5%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
51% major road · 22% main road · 18% motorway · 4% minor road · 1% unmapped
Main roads
149.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
125.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Khorfakkan Road (61 km), Mahafiz - Al Fayah Road (18 km), Maleha Road (17 km), Sharjah - Kalba Road (11 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
10% climbing · 11% descending · 79% flat
Steep sections
3 km over 5% · 1.1 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.9% at 131.2 km
Longest descent
6 km from 149.4 km, dropping 345 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: 57 km, from 59 km to 116 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmToilets · 180 m off route
  2. 7 kmAl Bareej Cafeteria · café · 60 m off route
  3. 8.5 kmOrchid Pharmacy · pharmacy · 80 m off route
  4. 12.4 kmAl Jazeera Bicycles · bike shop · 110 m off route
  5. 16.8 kmBinSina Pharmacy;the Bedroom by Intercoil · pharmacy · on the route
  6. 17.5 kmAl Douri Supermarket · supermarket · 30 m off route
  7. 18.5 kmAl Shamikh · bike shop · 120 m off route
  8. 23.6 kmRasha Hardware Tr LLC · supermarket · 130 m off route
  9. 26.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 90 m off route
  10. 31.9 kmSafty 2 · clinic · 570 m off route
  11. 36.5 kmBrandsouq · supermarket · 120 m off route
  12. 41.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 110 m off route
  13. 49.9 kmDrinking water · 120 m off route
  14. 122.3 kmPineapple Cafe · café · 60 m off route
  15. 141.9 kmEmarat · petrol station · 110 m off route
  16. 142.3 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  17. 155 kmWishi · restaurant · 80 m off route
  18. 163.2 kmADNOC · petrol station · 110 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 17.8 km — Home Alqasemiah (attraction)
  • 33.2 km — Sheikha naama (viewpoint)
  • 154.4 km — Reservoir. Observation deck (viewpoint)

At the finish

  • Pizza Hut · restaurant · 110 m
  • Hardees · restaurant · 120 m
  • KFC · fast food · 190 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
5–7 hours riding
Season
November with temperatures around 25-26 °C.
Best months
Dec to Mar — daily highs of 24–28 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 56.8 km stretch without café, shop or water from 58.7 to 115.5 km
  • 149.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 125.4 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more

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

12 photographs from the road

Photo: Avijith.sukumar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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