Kalba Hills 69

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with 68.6 km and 747 m of climbing, with one sustained steeper section and several shorter rises.

A 68.6 km point-to-point ride from Kalba into the Hajar Mountains, with 747 m of climbing and a high point of 486 m.

The route leaves Kalba and passes Munay at 5.3 km, running inland on gently rising ground towards the hills. Fayyad comes at 20.1 km, and shortly after, at 22.2 km, the main climb of the day begins: 2.6 km at 6.3% average with a maximum of 10.1%, gaining 165 m to top out at 486 m. Harrah and Shia sit at the foot of it, at 23.1 km and 23.4 km. The high point of the whole ride, 486 m, is reached at 25 km, directly beneath unnamed peaks of 812 m and 826 m. From there the road drops a long way. Al Uqdah at 38.5 km is followed by the suburbs of Al Ghail, Al Saaf and Al Maqt'a between 45 km and 46.5 km, where cafés and restaurants appear, and the low point of just 4 m comes at 48.2 km. The final third is a series of shorter rises: 3.3 km at 4.9% from 50.7 km, then 1.3 km at 3.2% from 59.8 km, and 1.8 km at 3.9% from 64.3 km, topping out at 283 m. Minazif at 67.1 km and Al Qilē'ī at 68 km close the ride. Just under half the climbing, 45%, falls in the first half.

Highlights

• 2.6 km climb at 6.3% to the 486 m high point at km 25
• Unnamed 812 m and 826 m peaks beside the road at km 25-26
• Descent from 486 m to just 4 m above sea level by km 48
• Cafés and restaurants clustered between km 47 and km 54

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Point to point

Riding time

2½–3½ hours riding

Season

The single December recording showed 24 °C, suggesting the cooler winter months are the most comfortable time to ride here.

Know before you go

• No café or shop listed in the first 47 km, including the main climb
• Maximum gradient of 10.1% on the climb from km 22.2
• Point-to-point route: transport needed back from Al Qilē'ī

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