Cyclists.com

Showka to Dibba

Showka, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Saturday 10th May 2025

101 km
Distance
767 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Showka to Dibba

Elevation profile

Total ascent
767 m
Distance
101 km
0200400600m0 km255075101 km519 m · highest, at 61.4 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders prepared for a long 100 km ride with moderate climbing of 713 m.

100.6 km loop ride in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, with 713 m climbing from Showka.

The route starts from Showka and heads towards Adhan at 5.1 km, continuing through Ayim, Kub, Sram, and Ar Riwedah by 19.9 km. It then climbs steadily for 3.8 km gaining 93 m to 287 m elevation before passing Jerief and Al Muhtarqah. The middle section includes an 8.4 km climb starting at 52.1 km with 245 m gain to the highest point at 517 m near 60.8 km. The route descends and passes Masafi at 67.7 km, then goes through several places including Thoban and Manama before returning to Showka. The surface is 98% paved with about 2% gravel and 1% unmapped. It uses a mix of roads: 43% major roads, 27% minor roads, 23% main roads, 5% quiet streets, and 2% tracks. Major named roads include Al Dhaid - East Coast Road for 15.5 km, Al Shohadaa Road for 15.3 km, Masafi-Dibba Road for 13 km, and Digdaga Road for 12.8 km. Notably, there are 66 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 56.1 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher. Services are scarce for the first 46.4 km with no café, shop, or water. Beyond that, petrol stations at km 46.4, 65.4, 73.8, and 83.5 offer refuel options. Shops and bakeries are near Masafi around 63-65 km. Points of interest include archaeological Site 8 at 25.1 km off-route, Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails near 51.4 km, and Masafi Fort at 68.9 km, all slightly off the road.

Highlights

  • Two main climbs totalling 713 m gain
  • Highest point near km 60.8 at 518 m
  • Passes Masafi town at 67.7 km
  • Archaeological site at 25.1 km off-route

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Adhan 5.1 km
  2. Ayim 11.4 km
  3. Kub 15.7 km
  4. Sram 18.7 km
  5. Ar Riwedah 19.9 km
  6. Jerief 20.5 km
  7. Al Muhtarqah 26.6 km
  8. Tariqat Ja`d 28.9 km
  9. Zahir al Ya'ad 29.3 km
  10. Zahir As Safwah 32.9 km
  11. Ghub 35.4 km
  12. Al Busserah 39.7 km
  13. Dab‘ah 43.1 km
  14. Al Halah 47 km
  15. Sharmatah 48.5 km
  16. Abadilah 49.3 km
  17. Al Ghūnah 54.5 km
  18. Masafi 67.7 km
  19. Al Ghamarah 68.1 km
  20. Thoban 82.9 km
  21. Manama 88.5 km
  22. Al Haniyah 91.2 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—19.5 km3.8 km93 m2.5 %5.1 %287 m
Al Ghūnah climb52.1 km8.4 km245 m2.9 %7.1 %517 m

High point 518 m at 60.8 km; low point 76 m. Passes beneath Jibal Al Hamrah, Qarn Fardah, Jabal Tus.

Al Ghūnah climb · starts at 52.1 km

4.9 km at 4.8% · 235 m
300350400450500m2.0%1.8%3.4%3.2%5.7%3.4%2.3%0 km12345678.4 km506 msteepest 5.7%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
43% major road · 27% minor road · 23% main road · 5% quiet street
Main roads
66 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
56.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Al Dhaid - East Coast Road (16 km), Al Shohadaa Road (15 km), Masafi-Dibba Road (13 km), Digdaga Road (13 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
20% climbing · 23% descending · 57% flat
Steep sections
1.1 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 11.5% at 0 km
Longest descent
9.3 km from 75.5 km, dropping 176 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: 46 km, from 0 km to 46 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 46.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
  2. 63.8 kmSupermarket · 60 m off route
  3. 65 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 110 m off route
  4. 65.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  5. 68.3 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 110 m off route
  6. 73.8 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  7. 83.5 kmENOC · petrol station · 60 m off route
  8. 87.9 kmMedical Center · clinic · 130 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 25.1 km — Site 8 - 2 beehive tombs (archaeological site)
  • 51.4 km — Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails (attraction)
  • 68.9 km — Masafi Fort (castle)

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
3½–5 hours riding
Season
May
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest no café, shop or water stretch 46.4 km
  • 66 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 56.1 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
  • 1.6 km of track surface, 2% gravel or unpaved

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

6 photographs from the road

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