Showka to Fujairah loop

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with a 108 km day; the 531 m of climbing is modest, but it all comes in the first half.

A 108.1 km loop from Showka in the UAE's Hajar Mountains, with 531 m of climbing packed entirely into the first half.

The loop leaves Showka and starts climbing almost at once: a 2.5 km rise at 3.6% from km 4.7 tops out at 737 m, passing beneath Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m), and a second 3.3 km pull at 3.1% from km 9.1 reaches 827 m below Jabal Ash Shahayrah. A viewpoint follows at km 13.3 before the road drops to the low point of the ride, 585 m at km 30.3, through Munay, Al Qilē'ī, Minazif and Fayyad. Two short ramps of 1.8 km and 1.7 km, both averaging 2.6%, break up this middle section, and then the hardest climbing of the day arrives: 2.9 km at 5.6% from km 35.5, with a maximum of 9.7%, to 825 m. The high point of the loop, 828 m, comes at km 38.5 among unnamed summits of 812 m and 826 m. Every metre of the 531 m gain is behind by halfway. The second half runs down through Al Uqdah and Ihfarah, past Jabal Hafarah (112 m), and on via Al Farfar, Far`ah, Madouk, Mamduh, Rima and Esfini beneath Jabal al Fa'rat (467 m), before Minha and Shariyah lead back to Shawka.

Highlights

• High point of 828 m at km 38.5
• 2.9 km at 5.6%, maximum 9.7%, the day's steepest climb
• Viewpoint at km 13.3
• Jabal al Fa'rat (467 m) near Esfini

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

3½–5 hours riding

Season

Recordings fall in February, October, November and December, with temperatures of 20-25 °C.

Know before you go

• Steepest ramp reaches 9.7% at around km 36
• No café or water listed in the first 59.9 km
• Recorded temperatures of 20-25 °C, even in the cooler months

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