Showka – Shinas loop 127

Route overview

Riders comfortable with 127 km and 1,391 m of climbing in a day, most of it in the first half.

A 126.9 km loop from Showka through the Hajar Mountains, with 1,391 m of climbing and several crossings between the UAE and Oman.

The road climbs from the first kilometre out of Showka, a 2.4 km rise at 3% topping out at 366 m beneath Jabal Al Hinnah. A second climb from 4.4 km, 3.3 km at 2.6%, reaches 449 m past Jabal Ash Shahayrah, with a viewpoint at 8.7 km. From there the route descends steadily through Munay at 19.8 km and Al Qilē'ī to the lowest point of the day, 221 m at Minazif (26.9 km). The sharpest pitch follows: after a short rise from 29.1 km, the climb starting at 31.5 km gains 131 m in 2.6 km at 5%, touching 9.7%, and tops out at 428 m near Harrah and Shia. The middle third strings together villages — Wahala, Um al Ghaf, Al Naslah, Rāfāq, Fashrah, Huwaylat and As Simsimānīyah — before a viewpoint at 75.2 km and the restaurant at Sufayri, 76.5 km. Past Jabal Laim and Jabal Mudayrah the route reaches Sha'biyyat Milāḩ, Al Qor and Yaif, then the final climb from 98.4 km: 4.5 km at 3.6% for 163 m, leading to the high point of 474 m at 103.1 km. The run back through Musseili to Showka is largely downhill; 62% of the day's climbing comes in the first half.

Highlights

• Two crossings into Oman and back within one loop
• High point of 474 m at km 103.1
• Steepest ramp at 9.7% on the 31.5 km climb
• Past Jabal Laim and Jabal Mudayrah at km 82–83

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

5–7 hours riding

Season

March, when 27°C was recorded, suits the exposed terrain better than the summer months.

Know before you go

• Border crossings between the UAE and Oman along the route
• No café or shop listed before the restaurant at Sufayri, 76.5 km
• 27°C recorded in March; heat is a factor on the exposed climbs

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