Showka hills loop 80

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with 80 km and 764 m of climbing, none of it steep for long.

An 80.3 km loop from Showka through the villages of the Hajar Mountains foothills, with 764 m of climbing spread over four modest rises.

From Showka the loop heads out past Musseili at 6.2 km on gently rising ground before the first sustained climb begins at 15.7 km: 3.7 km at 3.4%, topping out at 475 m. The high point of the ride, 478 m, comes shortly after at 19.6 km. The road then drops towards the hamlet of Yaif at 25.6 km, followed by Al Qor and Sha'biyyat Milāḩ at 30.2 km. The middle section strings together two climbs in quick succession, a 1.9 km rise at 2.2% from 38.8 km and then 3.6 km at 3.7% from 40.9 km, with a short pitch of 9.7% and a summit at 389 m near As Simsimānīyah. From there the route loses height steadily to the lowest point of the day, 200 m at 51.7 km, close to Huwaylat, and continues through Sikhе̄bar, Al Wa'ab and Munay at 59 km. The final climb starts at 67.5 km, 3.2 km at 3.2% to 453 m, with a viewpoint at 70.4 km and the peaks of Jabal Ash Shahayrah (532 m) and Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m) standing beside the road at 72.9 km and 76.2 km before the run back to Showka.

Highlights

• High point of 478 m at 19.6 km
• 3.7 km climb at 3.4% to 475 m from 15.7 km
• Viewpoint at 70.4 km on the final climb
• Past Jabal Al Hinnah, 637 m

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

2½–4 hours riding

Season

The single October recording showed 24°C, making the cooler half of the year the sensible choice.

Know before you go

• Short ramp of 9.7% on the climb from 40.9 km
• No water or cafés listed anywhere on the 80.3 km loop
• 24°C recorded in October; heat is a factor here

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