Kalba Proper Hills

Route overview

Riders comfortable with a 107 km day and 1,085 m of climbing spread over three modest climbs.

A 107.4 km loop from Kalba in the Hajar Mountains, with 1,085 m of climbing and crossings in and out of Oman.

From Kalba the loop runs south past Al Qilē'ī and Minazif, beneath Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m) and a neighbouring 556 m summit, then continues through Wahala at 26.4 km and Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr at 33 km. The first half is the gentler one, holding 43% of the total climbing and dropping to the route's low point of 13 m at 41.9 km, where a small cluster of cafés and restaurants sits between 41 and 47 km. The first sustained climb starts at 44 km: 3.6 km at 4.6%, topping out at 194 m. The road then works north through Um al Ghaf, Al Naslah, Rāfāq, Fashrah and Huwaylat, passing beneath Jabal Naselah (178 m) and unnamed 233 m and 370 m summits. The main effort comes after As Simsimānīyah at 79.6 km, a 3.5 km climb averaging 3.7% with a 10.6% pitch, reaching 379 m. A second, easier 2 km rise at 87 km leads to the high point of 383 m at 90.7 km. From there it is largely downhill through Sikhе̄bar, Al Wa'ab and Munay back to Kalba.

Highlights

• High point of 383 m at 90.7 km
• 3.5 km climb from As Simsimānīyah with a 10.6% pitch
• Beneath Jabal Al Miqsha (400 m) early in the loop
• Village sequence: Um al Ghaf, Rāfāq, Fashrah, Huwaylat

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4–5½ hours riding

Season

October brought 30°C, so the cooler winter months are the more comfortable choice.

Know before you go

• Route crosses between the UAE and Oman several times - carry documents
• No café or restaurant listed after 47.4 km, roughly 60 km to the finish
• 30°C recorded in October; the climbing is concentrated in the second half

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