Showka to Tunnel 1 and the Oman border

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with a long day: 113.2 km with a moderate 1,092 m of climbing, most of it concentrated before halfway.

A 113.2 km loop from Showka through the Hajar Mountains, crossing into Oman and back, with 1,092 m of climbing.

The loop starts at Showka at its lowest point, 193 m, and heads out beneath Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m) at km 2.7, with a viewpoint at km 8.7. The road stays gentle for the first 25 km, passing beneath Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m), before the climbing begins in earnest at Al Qilē'ī. From km 26 three climbs follow in quick succession: 1.7 km at 2.6% to 236 m, then a second 1.7 km at 2.5% topping out at 291 m past Fayyad, and finally the hardest of the day from km 31.4 — 2.9 km at 5.2% with a maximum of 9.7%, cresting at 455 m above Harrah and Shia. Peaks of 812 m and 826 m stand near the road just beyond. Almost all the climbing, 89% of the total, is done in the first half. The middle section passes a restaurant at km 43.2, beneath Jabal Al Khasfah (464 m), a café at km 49.3 and a wildlife observation viewpoint at km 51.3. The return runs through a string of villages — Wahala, Um al Ghaf, Al Naslah, Rāfāq, Fashrah, Huwaylat and Munay — before the route reaches its high point of 464 m at km 103.1, near Jabal Ash Shahayrah (532 m), and drops back to Showka.

Highlights

• 2.9 km at 5.2%, max 9.7%, topping out at 455 m
• Route high point of 464 m at km 103.1
• Villages of Rāfāq, Fashrah and Huwaylat on the return
• Past Jabal Al Hinnah (637 m) and Jabal Ash Shahayrah (532 m)

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4–5½ hours riding

Season

Recordings in February and October show 26-29°C, so the cooler half of the year is the sensible window.

Know before you go

• The loop crosses into Oman and back into the UAE — carry documents
• No café or restaurant listed after km 49.3, leaving over 60 km unsupported
• Maximum gradient of 9.7% on the climb from km 31.4
• Recorded temperatures of 26-29°C

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