Jebel Hafeet Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

15.3
PDI
7.1 mi
DISTANCE
2,539 ft
GAINED
6.6 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Switzerland.

INTRO

This is one of the only climbs in the UAE.  Jebel Hafeet is located in the Al Hajar Mountains in Eastern Arabia.  We ride on Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road (built in 1980) the entire length of our climb. There are three lanes to Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, two up and one down.
Average grade is 7% for all 14.5 kilometers with 0 descent.  13% of the climb is at 0-5% grade, 85% is at 5-10%, and 2% is at 10-15%.  The steepest 500 meters is 9.8% and steepest kilometer 8.9%.

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway: Jebel Hafeet has a beautiful winding road, wide, 2 lanes up, one down. The asphalt is in good condition

Traffic: Minimal and primarily tourists driving up and down. There is more traffic on weekends and cool times of year. 

Parking:  Ard Oostra writes - there are several big parking lots all along the road to the summit. Most local bikers, whether they climb during the day or the night, do park their car on one of these car parks. It’s often a meeting point for expats -bikers, runners- They then cycle (down) to the bottom and climb up to the summit. Also at the summit there is a big car park. Jebel Hafeet (and Jais) are touristic hotspots for locals because offering a wide view over their region and have some less hot temperatures as down in the plains. Some cyclists start cycling right from their homes in Al Ain
Provisions:  There is a hotel and also a restaurant at kilometer 8.7 and at Jebel Hafeet at Top at the climb finish (Google Map + Reviews). 

Weather:  The weather can be stifling in this part of the world.  It will likely be several degrees cooler atop Jebel Hafeet than at the start 1,000 meters below, but average temperatures are close to or above 100 from late through September.  Therefore, consult the PJAMM "Full Forecast" feature for the time you expect to ride to assess what clothing to bring on your ride and bring plenty of water. 
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
The mountaintop where we finish is an extremely popular tourist attraction and viewpoint (Google Maps + Reviews). 

There are lights along the way, so you may prefer making this climb at night when it is cooler (but, bring your own lights if you do). 

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Asir Mountains
Saudi Arabia
15 ROUTES
13 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
138
mi
DISTANCE
73,031
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Jabel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ride 11.4 kilometers gaining 785 meters to elevation 1,052 meters at 6.7% average grade.

Jebel Hafeet is located in the Al Hajar Mountains in Eastern Arabia.  This is the tallest mountain in Abu Dhabi and one of the highest in the UAE.  We ride on Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road (built in 1980) the entire length of our climb.  There are three lanes to Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, two up and one down.

Historical summary of the mountain at the climb’s finish.

Some of the 317 Tombs at the base of Jebel Hafeet

Photo:  Expatwoman.com.

The climb ends at a parking lot adjacent to a hotel and palace belonging to Abu Dhabi royalty.  Jebel Hafeet was awarded the title of “The Greatest Road in the World” by edmonds.com this pristine stretch of dark black asphalt winding its way up through contrasting tan mountain soil making for gorgeous “road art.”  This road reminds us of our rides through Death Valley, CA, USA.

Aerial view of Jebel Hafeet, illustrating this gorgeous “road art.”

Photo:  Travelphant.com (the article coins Jebel Hafeet the “Coolest Road in the World”)

Panamint Grade, Death Valley, California, USA.

According to DangerousRoads.com:

“The Jabal Hafeet Mountain Road is one of the greatest driving roads in the world. Located on the outskirts of Al Ain, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the road extends for 7.3 mi (11.7 km) up the mountain, rising at an elevation of 1.219m (4,000ft) above the sea level. Thanks to the two lanes going up the mountain, you can take the 60 bends as fast or slow as you like, enjoying views of the desert. . . .A contender for motoring journalists’ ‘greatest driving road in the world’, it measures just 7.3 miles and climbs 4,000ft in its ascent, finishing in a hotel car park across the way from the ruler’s palaces. ”  Read more on DangerousRoads.com here.

Most cyclists climb at the end of the day and descend at night along the well-lit roadway.

Ard along his descent after sunset.

In November 2019, 32℃ (89℉), one hour before sunset.

This wonderful mountain road has been included in the last five (2015-2019) UAE Tours (formerly called the Abu Dhabi Tour).  Stage Three of the 2019 UAE Tour was won by Alejandro Valverde (ESP; 2018 World Road Race champion; winner Vuelta a España 2009; four stage wins TdF).

2019 UAE Tour Stage 3 winner Alejandro Valverde (ESP; Movistar).

Photo:  RTE.ie/sport

PJAMM’s Ard Oostra at the finish.

Thank you Ard!

PJAMM’s Ard Oostra finishes the climb.

That’s a wrap!