Cyclists.com

Showka to Khor Fakkan

Showka, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Last ridden Saturday 4th May 2024

102 km
Distance
794 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Showka to Khor Fakkan

Elevation profile

Total ascent
794 m
Distance
102 km
0200400600m0 km255075102 km535 m · highest, at 51.2 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for experienced cyclists comfortable with 102 km distance and 719 m climbing on fast, busy roads without cycle lanes.

102 km loop ride in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, starting and finishing at Showka with 719 m elevation gain.

The route starts at Showka, passing through small places including Saram, Sram, Ar Riwedah, and Jerief in the first 10 km. After 9.2 km, the first climb begins, a 3.8 km ascent gaining 92 m at an average gradient of 2.4%, reaching a top height of 286 m. Continuing through several small settlements, the road surface is fully paved throughout the route. Most of the ride is on major and main roads, including over 60 km on major roads, but these lack cycle lanes for 87.6 km. Traffic is on fast roads with speeds over 80 km/h for 82.9 km. There is a long stretch without any café, shop or water lasting 31.5 km, starting soon after 4.4 km and lasting until 35.9 km. After 41.9 km, the second climb starts, climbing 231 m over 4.8 km at an average 4.9% gradient with a maximum pitch of 14.7%, reaching 505 m elevation and near the highest point of the route at 534 m near 50.9 km. The route passes near peaks Qarn Fardah (310 m at 22.9 km), Jabal Tus (557 m at 65.5 km), Jabal Ashqar (270 m at 76 km), and Jibal Al Hamrah (217 m at 91.6 km). Places like Masafi lie around 58 km, with the route meeting shops, petrol stations, and restaurants at various points including the start and finish town. The longest descent is 9.3 km starting from 65.3 km, descending 178 m.

Highlights

  • Climb up to 505 m near 50.9 km
  • Peak Qarn Fardah at 22.9 km
  • Longest descent 9.3 km from 65.3 km
  • Restaurant and supermarket at start and finish

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Saram 4 km
  2. Sram 7.2 km
  3. Ar Riwedah 9.6 km
  4. Jerief 10.2 km
  5. Al Muhtarqah 16.3 km
  6. Tariqat Ja`d 18.3 km
  7. Zahir al Ya'ad 18.8 km
  8. Zahir As Safwah 22.5 km
  9. Ghub 24.9 km
  10. Al Busserah 29.4 km
  11. Dab‘ah 32.8 km
  12. Al Halah 36.7 km
  13. Sharmatah 38.1 km
  14. Abadilah 39.1 km
  15. Al Ghūnah 44 km
  16. Al Khalabiya 48 km
  17. Al Baha 48.2 km
  18. Masafi 57.9 km
  19. Al Ghamarah 58.3 km
  20. Thoban 73.2 km
  21. Manama 78.6 km
  22. Al Haniyah 81.4 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—9.2 km3.8 km92 m2.4 %5.1 %286 m
Al Ghūnah climb41.9 km4.8 km231 m4.9 %14.7 %505 m

High point 534 m at 50.9 km; low point 76 m. Passes beneath Qarn Fardah, Jabal Tus, Jabal Ashqar.

Al Ghūnah climb · starts at 41.9 km

4.9 km at 4.8% · 233 m
300350400450500m3.5%12%3.9%0 km12344.8 km498 msteepest 11.6%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
62% major road · 24% main road · 11% minor road · 2% quiet street
Main roads
87.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
82.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Digdaga Road (24 km), Al Shohadaa Road (24 km), Masafi-Dibba Road (23 km), Al Dhaid - East Coast Road (15 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
16% climbing · 20% descending · 64% flat
Steep sections
1.8 km over 5% · 1.1 km over 8% · 0.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 13.3% at 45.9 km
Longest descent
9.3 km from 65.3 km, dropping 178 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: 32 km, from 4 km to 36 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmADNOC Oasis · supermarket · 50 m off route
  2. 3.6 kmNujoom Al Saram restaurant · restaurant · 90 m off route
  3. 54 kmSupermarket · 110 m off route
  4. 55.3 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 60 m off route
  5. 55.7 kmADNOC · petrol station · 90 m off route
  6. 58.6 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 110 m off route
  7. 63.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
  8. 73.7 kmENOC · petrol station · 110 m off route
  9. 78.1 kmMedical Center · clinic · 120 m off route
  10. 95.4 kmRAK COOPERATIVES SOCIETY · supermarket · 90 m off route
  11. 95.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
  12. 95.4 kmصيدلية · pharmacy · 30 m off route
  13. 101.6 kmADNOC · petrol station · on the route

Worth a stop

  • 14.9 km — Site 8 - 2 beehive tombs (archaeological site)
  • 40.9 km — Wadi Al Abadilah hiking trails (attraction)
  • 59.2 km — Masafi Fort (castle)

At the start and finish

  • ADNOC Oasis · supermarket · 50 m
  • Al Shuara Restaurant · restaurant · 320 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
3½–4½ hours riding
Season
May or September with temperatures around 30-31°C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 31.5 km stretch no café, shop or water from 4.4 km
  • 87.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 82.9 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
  • Steep gradient max 14.7% over 4.8 km climb

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

8 photographs from the road

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