Kalba Hills Adventure

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with 94 km and 908 m of climbing, especially those happy to save their legs for a back half full of short rises.

A 94.1 km loop from Kalba through the Hajar Mountains, with 908 m of climbing and most of the work in the second half.

The loop opens near Al Qilē'ī with a short rise of 1.4 km at 3.2%, followed by a second bump of 1.5 km at 3% from km 5.2. From there the road runs through Wahala at km 19 and the hamlet of Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr at km 25.6 before dropping towards the coast, reaching Al Ghail and Al Saaf around km 34 and the lowest point of the day, just 2 m above sea level, at km 36.7. The middle section threads the built-up edge of Kalba: Khawr Kalba at km 38.2, the city itself at km 40.1, then a run of suburbs and Sour Kalba before Tarif Kalba at km 46.6. Past the peak of Jabal Hafarah at km 52.9 the route turns inland through Ihfarah at km 54.1, where the climbing restarts with 4.6 km at 2.3% from km 56.5. After Al Uqdah at km 60.4 comes the steepest pitch, 2.1 km at 4.4% with a maximum of 8.3%, then further climbs at km 67.5 and km 75.5, the latter 2.3 km at 4.3%. The road passes beneath Jabal Al Khasfah (464 m) at km 71.1 before a final 1.8 km rise from km 87.8 and the high point of 286 m at km 89.8. Minazif and Fayyad follow at km 91 and km 91.6, with a short run back to the finish.

Highlights

• Sea-level low of 2 m near Khawr Kalba at km 36.7
• Beneath Jabal Al Khasfah, 464 m, at km 71.1
• High point of 286 m at km 89.8
• 78% of the 908 m of climbing in the second half

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

3½–5 hours riding

Season

The single February recording showed 28°C, so the cooler winter months are the sensible choice.

Know before you go

• No café or restaurant listed in the first 32.8 km
• Steepest ramp reaches 8.3% on the climb from km 61.8
• 28°C recorded in February; expect heat on the inland section

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