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Showka to Tunnel 1 and the Oman Border

Showka, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Last ridden Saturday 25th February 2023

113 km
Distance
1,372 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Showka to Tunnel 1 and the Oman Border

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,372 m
Distance
113 km
0100200300400500600m0 km255075100113 km493 m · highest, at 34.9 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

This route suits riders prepared for a long 113 km ride with over 1000 m of climbing.

113 km loop from Showka in the Hajar Mountains, UAE, with 1092 m climbing.

Starting at Showka, this 113 km loop heads through the Hajar Mountains, passing places like Al Qilē'ī at 26 km and Shia at 33 km. The route’s climbing begins early with moderate gradients up to 5.6%, topping at 394 m within the first 3 km and peaking at 511 m near 37 km. Climbing continues in the first half, with several short ascents averaging around 3-5% gradients.

Highlights

  • Passes beneath Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m)
  • Views near Jabal Al Khasfah (464 m) at 44 km
  • Near Jabal Naselah (178 m) around 69 km
  • Loops past Jabal Ash Shahayrah (532 m) near 105 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Qilē'ī 26 km
  2. Minazif 26.7 km
  3. Fayyad 28.6 km
  4. Harrah 32.7 km
  5. Shia 33 km
  6. Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr 56.3 km
  7. Wahala 63.1 km
  8. Um al Ghaf 69.3 km
  9. Al Naslah 72.2 km
  10. Rāfāq 74.1 km
  11. Fashrah 78.4 km
  12. Huwaylat 82.9 km
  13. Sikhе̄bar 87.9 km
  14. Al Wa'ab 88.5 km
  15. Munay 91.2 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—0 km2.7 km101 m3.7 %5.6 %394 m
—4.5 km3.8 km108 m2.9 %5.2 %488 m
—21.9 km1.9 km49 m2.5 %3.6 %305 m
—29.3 km1.9 km42 m2.2 %5.2 %317 m
—31.6 km3.1 km167 m5.4 %9.3 %493 m
—40.1 km2.5 km64 m2.6 %3.6 %263 m
—51.7 km2.8 km82 m2.9 %8.1 %92 m
—88.1 km1.5 km42 m2.8 %6.4 %278 m
—97.9 km5.1 km148 m2.9 %8 %479 m

High point 511 m at 36.9 km; low point 2 m. Passes beneath Jabal Al Hinnah, Jabal Al Miqsha, Jabal Al Khasfah.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
44% motorway · 40% main road · 5% other · 5% minor road
Main roads
97.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
35.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (51 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
27% climbing · 24% descending · 49% flat
Steep sections
4.1 km over 5% · 0.9 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 21.2% at 0 km
Longest descent
4.7 km from 43.6 km, dropping 270 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: 43 km, from 0 km to 43 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 5.4 kmToilets · on the route
  2. 43.4 kmHabib Beirut · restaurant · 240 m off route
  3. 49.3 kmStarbucks · café · on the route
  4. 49.3 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  5. 49.3 kmADNOC · petrol station · 180 m off route
  6. 51.1 kmKiosk · 120 m off route
  7. 83.4 kmnaseem al howailat · supermarket · 40 m off route
  8. 83.4 kmADNOC · petrol station · 150 m off route
  9. 98.5 kmToilets · 80 m off route
  10. 111.7 kmShowka Bicycles · bike shop · 490 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 46.2 km — Animal Viewing (viewpoint)
  • 51.3 km — Wildlife observation (viewpoint)
  • 63 km — Wahla Fort (castle)
  • 69 km — Jabal Naselah (peak, 178 m)

At the start and finish

  • Showka Bicycles · bike shop · 620 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4–5½ hours riding
Season
February and October, with temperatures between 26 and 29 °C.
Best months
Dec to Feb — daily highs of 24–26 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest stretch without café, shop, or water for 43 km from km 0
  • 97.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 35.3 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
  • 1% gravel or unpaved surface

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

11 photographs from the road

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