Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Switzerland.
Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Switzerland.
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!