Showka – Kalba loop, Tunnel 1 both sides

Route overview

Suits fit riders comfortable with 113.5 km and 1,239 m of climbing in a single day, most of it in the second half.

A 113.5 km loop from Showka in the UAE's Hajar Mountains, dropping to the Kalba coast and climbing back inland for 1,239 m of gain.

The loop begins climbing straight out of Showka: 2.6 km at 3.1% to 377 m, then a second ramp from km 4.5, 3.3 km at 3% topping out at 469 m beneath Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m), with a viewpoint at km 8.8. From there the road runs down and across to Munay at km 19.9, with short rises of 1.5 km and 1.6 km either side of Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m) at km 25. The middle third is the low ground. Wahala comes at km 45.1 and Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr at km 51.6 before the route reaches its lowest point, 6 m at km 60.4, where two cafés sit at km 59.4 and 59.7. Al Maqt'a, Al Saaf and Al Ghail follow in quick succession around km 61–62. The return is a steady ladder of climbs: 3.4 km from km 66.2, then 2.3 km at 3.9% with a 7.5% pitch, past Al Uqdah at km 69. Further rises at km 82 and km 86.1 lead through Minazif and Al Qilē'ī, and the final climb of 4.9 km from km 98.7 reaches 472 m, with the high point of 476 m at km 103.8 and Jabal Ash Shahayrah (532 m) at km 106 before the run back to Showka.

Highlights

• Opening double climb to 469 m beneath Jabal Al Hinnah
• Viewpoint at km 8.8 above the early descent
• Sea-level low of 6 m at km 60.4 near Al Maqt'a
• Final 4.9 km climb to the 476 m high point at km 103.8

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4½–6 hours riding

Season

Recordings in November and January, with temperatures of 18–26°C, point to the cooler winter months.

Know before you go

• No cafés listed after km 59.7, leaving the last 54 km unsupported
• Short pitch of 7.5% on the climb from km 70.3
• Recorded temperatures up to 26°C

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