Showka to Kalba by the new road

Route overview

Suits fit riders comfortable with 96.5 km and 1,305 m of climbing in a single day, most of it front-loaded.

A 96.5 km loop from Showka through the Hajar Mountains, with 1,305 m of climbing and most of the work in the first half.

The loop climbs from the first kilometre: 2.7 km at 3.4% lifts the road to 390 m beneath Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m), and a second, gentler ramp of 3.3 km at 2.8% tops out at 469 m by km 8, with a viewpoint at km 8.8. From there the road drops away to the lowest point on the loop, 242 m at km 26.5, passing Munay at km 20 and the 400 m Jabal Al Miqsha en route. The steepest section comes after Fayyad and Harrah: 2.7 km at 5.4%, with a maximum of 9.1%, climbing to 467 m at around km 34.5, beneath unnamed summits of 812 m and 826 m. The middle of the loop is the flattest and best supplied part, with a restaurant at km 42.7, cafés at km 48.2 and 49.2 around Al Maqt'a and Al Ghail, and a further restaurant at km 53.6. The run home passes Minazif and Al Qilē'ī near km 69, then takes the last climb of the day, 5 km at 2.9% from km 82.2. The high point of the route, 480 m, arrives at km 87.4, close to Jabal Ash Shahayrah (532 m), leaving a descent back to Showka.

Highlights

• Two opening climbs to 469 m beneath Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m)
• 2.7 km at 5.4% to 467 m past 812 m and 826 m summits
• Cafés and restaurants clustered between km 42 and km 54
• High point of 480 m at km 87.4 near Jabal Ash Shahayrah

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

3–4½ hours riding

Season

Recordings fall in September, October and November, with temperatures of 23-29°C.

Know before you go

• Maximum gradient of 9.1% on the climb from km 31.8
• No cafés or restaurants listed in the first 42 km, or after km 53.6
• Recorded temperatures of 23-29°C; carry plenty of water

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