Road · United Arab Emirates
Showka to Khor Fakkan
A rolling 102 km road cycling loop from Showka, Ras Al Khaimah through Saram, Jerief and Zahir As Safwah, with 794 m of climbing over Al Ghūnah climb (498 m) and Al Ghūnah climb (506 m). Most of it (87.6 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 82.9 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 32 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 4–36).
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 102 km
- Elevation gain
- 794 m
- Riding time
- 3½–4½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 32 km
- Best months
- Dec to Feb
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Showka
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 794 m
- 102 km
Route description
- Showka
- Saram
- Jerief
- Zahir As Safwah
- Al Halah
- Al Ghūnah climb (498 m)
- Al Ghūnah climb (506 m)
- Al Ghūnah
- Al Ghamarah
- Showka
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.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Al Ghūnah climb (498 m) (4.8 km at 4.9 %) and Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) (8.4 km at 2.9 %).
- Tops out at 534 m, 50.9 km in.
- A 9.3 km descent dropping 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
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 9.2 km | 3.8 km · 92 m · 2.4 % · max 5.1 % | — | 286 m |
| Al Ghūnah climb (498 m) | 41.9 km | 4.8 km · 231 m · 4.9 % · max 14.7 % | 4.8 km · 234 m · 4.9 % | 505 m |
| Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) | 43.7 km | — | 8.4 km · 244 m · 2.9 % | 517 m |
Al Ghūnah climb (498 m) · full ascent, starts at 41.9 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Al Ghūnah climb (506 m) · full ascent, starts at 43.7 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 86% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 82.9 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 62% major road · 24% main road · 11% minor road · 2% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- 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: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 32 km, from km 4 to 36. Along the route: 5 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops and 8 petrol stations.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmADNOC Oasis · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 3.6 kmNujoom Al Saram restaurant · restaurant · 90 m off route
- 54 kmSupermarket · 110 m off route
- 55.3 kmAl Dahreez · bakery · 60 m off route
- 55.7 kmADNOC · petrol station · 90 m off route
- 58.6 kmMasafi Hospital · hospital · 110 m off route
- 63.9 kmADNOC · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 73.7 kmENOC · petrol station · 110 m off route
- 78.1 kmMedical Center · clinic · 120 m off route
- 95.4 kmRAK COOPERATIVES SOCIETY · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 95.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 95.4 kmصيدلية · pharmacy · 30 m off route
- 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)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Al Shuara Restaurant (320 m)
- Shops
- ADNOC Oasis (50 m)
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
