Ride early
Sunrise or early morning is usually the best window. Avoid the heat of the day and check the current forecast before leaving Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Home / Cycling UAE / Jebel Hafeet
Al Ain · Abu Dhabi
Jebel Hafeet cycling.
An exposed, sustained mountain-road climb with UAE Tour history, sweeping views over Al Ain and a descent that deserves as much planning as the ascent.
10.8 kmOfficial UAE Tour finishing climb
713 mOfficial profile elevation gain
6.6%Average gradient
11% maxSteepest published ramp
Where the climb begins
Start from Green Mubazzarah.
The recognised UAE Tour ascent begins near the Green Mubazzarah exit and follows Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road towards the upper parking and hotel area. It is a public road, not a closed cycling track.
Different apps place their start and finish points differently, so you may see figures from roughly 10.4 to 11.4 km and around 700 to 785 m of climbing. CSD uses the official UAE Tour profile—10.8 km at 6.6%—as the clearest common reference.
The mountain road
Wide does not mean traffic-free.
The road normally provides two climbing lanes and one descending lane. It remains exposed to traffic, sun and wind, with long views that can disguise both effort and speed.
Pace the middle
The official profile is uneven. Much of the middle section rises at around 8–9%, with the published 11% ramp arriving late in the climb.
Expect vehicles
Hold a predictable line, use visible lights and do not spread across the uphill lanes. Traffic can be heavier at weekends and around sunset.
Respect the descent
Check brakes and tyres before climbing. Control speed through the bends, leave stopping room and do not cross into an opposing or occupied lane.
From the CSD archive
A mountain morning in 2013.
These photographs preserve one of CSD’s early Jebel Hafeet rides—before the UAE Tour made the ascent familiar to an international cycling audience.
Photographs: Vanessa Mathews · February 2013
Ride prepared
Carry enough for the climb and descent.
Facilities and opening hours can change. Treat water, nutrition, lighting and mechanical readiness as your responsibility.
- Helmet, ID and charged phone
- Working front and rear lights
- Enough water, fuel and electrolytes
- Puncture kit, pump or gas and basic spares
- Suitable climbing gears and checked brakes
- Wind layer for a cooler descent
- Sun protection and suitable eyewear
- Current map, weather and opening information
A sensible ride flow
Warm up. Climb steadily. Descend carefully.
If CSD publishes a special Hafeet ride, its event details replace this general guide. Never assume a support vehicle, water stop or group pace unless the current event confirms it.
1. Prepare below
Use the lower roads or park area to warm up. Complete bike checks before the gradient begins.
2. Settle early
Climb at a pace you can sustain. The middle kilometres are harder than the average figure suggests.
3. Regroup safely
Use a proper parking or stopping area. Do not gather on the carriageway or force riders into traffic.
4. Descend with margin
Add a layer if needed, space riders out and keep enough braking distance for every bend.
Make a weekend of it
Stay in Al Ain or on the mountain.
Oryx Grand Hotel Jebel Hafeet is one nearby option for riders turning the climb into an overnight visit. The hotel lists on-site parking and is positioned on Jebel Hafeet above Al Ain.
Check room availability, access arrangements, bicycle-storage expectations and current facilities directly before booking. CSD is sharing a useful location, not providing a hotel endorsement.
Check conditions and access again on the day.
Mountain weather, traffic, facilities and road access can change. This page is general planning information, not an assurance that the climb is suitable or supported on a particular day. Turn around if the heat, wind, visibility, bike or rider is not ready for a safe descent.
Climb figures checked 26 October 2026 against the official 2026 UAE Tour profile.