Road · United Arab Emirates
Showka to Hatta via Masfut and Wahala
A hilly 142 km road cycling loop from Showka, Ras Al Khaimah through Masfut, Hatta and Wahala, with 1,495 m of climbing. Most of it (102.3 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 48.9 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 63 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 76–139).
At a glance
- Best for
- Long endurance days for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 141.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,495 m
- Riding time
- 5–7½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 63 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Showka
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,495 m
- 142 km
Route description
- Showka
- Munay
- Sikhе̄bar
- Mudayrah
- Masfut
- Hatta
- Huwaylat
- Rāfāq
- Wahala
- Showka
This 142 km loop starts and finishes at Showka in the Hajar Mountains of the United Arab Emirates. The route passes through Munay at 20 km, Al Wa'ab, Sikhēbar, Sha'biyyat Milāḩ, Al Qor, and Mudayrah, continuing through Al Warqa, Masfut, Shariyah, Hayl, Hatta, Sufayri, As Simsimānīyah, Huwaylat, Fashrah, Rāfāq, Al Naslah, Um al Ghaf, Wahala, Minazif and Al Qilē'ī before returning to Showka.
Climbing is spread across several moderate ascents, including a 2.9 km climb gaining 104 m near the start, a 3.8 km climb gaining 109 m, and others ranging from 1.8 to 5.1 km with gentle gradients mostly under 4%. The highest point reaches 488 m at 8.4 km. The biggest descent is a 6.2 km stretch dropping 170 m beginning at 8.8 km. The profile is 23% climbing, 25% descending and 52% flat. The road surface is largely paved (97%) with about 3% gravel or unpaved track.
The route primarily uses motorway (46%) and main roads (26%) with extensive sections on roads without cycle lanes (102 km) and 49 km on fast roads with speeds of 80 km/h or more. Notable roads include 52 km on Sharjah - Kalba Road. There is a longest stretch of 63 km without cafes, shops or water from 75.6 to 138.8 km. Facilities near the route include water points at km 56 and 64, cafés near 64 km, convenience stores at 43 km and 60 km, and bike shops at the start and finish in Showka.
Why ride this route?
- The longest of the 16 rides from Showka.
- Tops out at 488 m, 8.4 km in.
- A 6.2 km descent dropping 170 m.
Highlights
- Climb to 488 m at 8.4 km
- Passes through Masfut near a 550 m peak
- Longest descent 6.2 km from 8.8 km
- Peak Jabal Naselah near 90 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 2.9 km · 104 m · 3.6 % · max 5.4 % | 395 m |
| Unnamed climb | 4.6 km | 3.8 km · 109 m · 2.9 % · max 5.5 % | 488 m |
| Unnamed climb | 32.8 km | 4.1 km · 110 m · 2.7 % · max 4.3 % | 418 m |
| Unnamed climb | 64.5 km | 2.4 km · 68 m · 2.9 % · max 6 % | 372 m |
| Unnamed climb | 102.7 km | 1.8 km · 59 m · 3.4 % · max 13.4 % | 267 m |
| Unnamed climb | 105.6 km | 3.9 km · 134 m · 3.4 % · max 9.1 % | 298 m |
| Unnamed climb | 111.2 km | 2.7 km · 72 m · 2.7 % · max 5.3 % | 308 m |
| Unnamed climb | 124.3 km | 5.1 km · 149 m · 2.9 % · max 7.9 % | 479 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 72% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 48.9 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 46% motorway · 26% main road · 19% minor road · 4% quiet street · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 102.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 48.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Sharjah - Kalba Road (52 km), Al Watan Road (8 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 25% descending · 52% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.8 km over 5% · 0.6 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 21% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 6.2 km from 8.8 km, dropping 170 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 63 km, from km 76 to 139. Along the route: 13 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops, 2 water points, 1 petrol station, 6 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 5.4 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 41.9 kmRestaurant · 310 m off route
- 43.3 kmMadrid Foodstuff Trading · convenience store · 70 m off route
- 52.7 kmMasfut Hospital · hospital · 130 m off route
- 56 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
- 60.2 kmStones and eagles cafe · kiosk · 80 m off route
- 64.3 kmAl Yamm Cafe · café · 120 m off route
- 64.3 kmDrinking water · 180 m off route
- 64.6 kmToilets · 110 m off route
- 64.9 kmHatta Pharmacy LLC. · pharmacy · 120 m off route
- 75.6 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 75.6 kmADNOC · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 125.5 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 138.6 kmShowka Bicycles · bike shop · 450 m off route
Worth a stop
- 54.9 km — Masfut Museum and Old Castle (castle)
- 61.9 km — Tower (viewpoint)
- 90.2 km — Jabal Naselah (peak, 178 m)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Bikes and repair
- Showka Bicycles (570 m)
Know before you go
- 63 km without café, shop or water from 75.6 to 138.8 km
- 102 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 48.9 km on roads with 80 km/h+ limits
- 3% unpaved or gravel sections
