Al Wathba Cycle Track, Abu Dhabi: A Rider’s Guide

Most cycle tracks make you choose your distance before you set off. Al Wathba does the opposite. Its five loops are nested inside one another, so the decision about how far you are riding today can be made at kilometre seven, when you actually know how your legs feel.

That single design choice makes it one of the most usable tracks in the country, and the fact that it is lit after dark makes it one of the few worth driving to in July. Here is what you need to know.

How Long Is Al Wathba Cycle Track?

There are five route options, and they are officially split by ability. Beginners are pointed at the 8 km and 16 km loops; stronger riders take on the 20 km, 22 km or the full 30 km outer circuit.

Because the loops sit inside one another rather than running off in different directions, you can start on the 30 and cut back to the 20 without retracing your steps, or extend a planned 16 into a 22 because the wind happened to be kind. For anyone building fitness, that flexibility is worth more than a headline distance.

The full outer loop is 30 kilometres, which makes two laps a comfortable metric-century-ish morning if you are training towards an event.

Where Is Al Wathba, and How Do You Get There?

The track is out near the Camel Race Track in Al Wathba, an outer district of Abu Dhabi roughly 40 to 50 minutes’ drive from the city centre — about 42 kilometres out along the Al Ain road.

Be warned that it is genuinely easy to drive past. There is not much out here to navigate by, so put the pin in your maps app before you leave rather than trusting signage. There is spacious car parking when you arrive.

From Dubai it is a longer trip, so most riders make a morning of it rather than a quick session. If you are only after a nearby loop, Nad Al Sheba is the sensible Dubai alternative.

Can You Ride Al Wathba at Night?

Yes, and it is the main reason to know about this track. Al Wathba is illuminated, with solar-powered lighting along the route and lit distance markers, which turns it into a real option during the months when daytime riding in the UAE is simply not sensible.

Between June and September, that puts Al Wathba in a very short list of places where you can train properly in the evening rather than at 4:45am. Alongside Nad Al Sheba, it is what makes a UAE summer rideable at all — our heat survival guide covers how to structure a summer session so it does more good than harm.

Run proper lights and wear something reflective regardless of the track lighting. Desert nights are darker than city nights, and the lit sections do not cover every metre.

What Is the Surface Like?

Paved throughout, and the loops are laid out as proper cycling infrastructure rather than a shared footpath — which means no pedestrians to negotiate and no junctions to slow you down.

You will find contradictory accounts online of how hilly Al Wathba is, ranging from “barely a gradient” to riders complaining of climbs. No official source addresses the profile at all, so we are not going to invent one. Turn up expecting desert, and let the track tell you.

What is not in dispute is the exposure. This is open desert with a man-made lake alongside the route, and the vistas at sunrise and sunset are the reason people keep coming back. The wider Al Wathba landscape is striking enough that it appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the Fossil Dunes are nearby if you want to make a day of it.

What Facilities Are There?

Spacious car parking, and a small shop at the site stocking rider essentials. The track is generally described as free to use and accessible around the clock, though official sources are less explicit on both points than you might expect — so if you are planning a very early or very late session, it is worth checking before you commit to the drive.

Either way, treat this as a self-sufficient ride. Carry your own water, take a helmet, sunscreen and a spare tube, and do not plan on buying anything you actually need once you are there.

Which Bike for Al Wathba?

A road bike. The surface is paved, the loops are long and uninterrupted, and this is exactly the kind of track where a road bike rewards you — efficient, fast, and comfortable enough to hold a position for two hours.

A gravel bike is perfectly happy here too, and is the better all-rounder if your riding also takes in rougher surfaces elsewhere. What you do not need is a mountain bike; save that for Hatta, where it will actually earn its keep.

Because the nested loops make this such a good place to build distance, gearing and position matter more than they do on a short spin. Our guides to using your gears well and to carbon versus aluminium frames are both relevant if you are choosing a bike for exactly this kind of riding — and our serviced pre-loved bikes are a good way to get onto the tarmac sooner.

Is Al Wathba Good for Beginners?

Very. The 8 km loop is explicitly laid out for riders starting out, and the nested design means a beginner is never far from the car park — which removes the main anxiety of riding somewhere remote for the first time.

The two things to plan for are heat and self-sufficiency rather than difficulty. Ride in the evening under the lights or early in the morning, carry more water than you expect to drink, and have a way home that does not depend on finding a taxi in the desert. Give the bike a fifteen-minute check before you drive out, because a mechanical here is a long way from help.

Families should note that this is a training track rather than a park loop, with no shade and no facilities aimed at children. For riding with young children in Dubai, the Jumeirah Beach and coastal track is by far the better choice — flat, scenic and not used for training. Our kids’ bike size guide will help you get the fit right first, and you can see the kids’ range here.

What the Desert Does to Your Bike

The same thing it does at Al Qudra: fine sand works into the chain and cassette and wears them down quietly. A rinse and re-lube after every desert ride will add months to a drivetrain, and it takes less time than the drive home.

Check tyre pressure before you set off, too. Underinflated tyres on sand-dusted tarmac is how most punctures out here begin. If something needs attention, our Dubai workshop can look at it.

Is Al Wathba Worth the Drive?

If you live in Abu Dhabi, it should be part of your regular rotation — there is nothing else nearby that offers this much flexibility with lighting on top. If you are coming from Dubai, it is worth the trip for two reasons: the nested loops let a mixed-ability group ride together without anyone being dropped or bored, and in summer it is one of the few places you can genuinely train after dark.

Pair it with Al Qudra for your long weekend efforts and you have a summer covered. For everything else worth riding across the emirates, our guide to cycle tracks in Dubai and the UAE lays out the full picture, and our community rides are open to anyone.

Kitted for Desert Loops

Road bikes, lights, bottles and sun-ready kit for long rides in open desert. Free UAE delivery over AED 150, pay in instalments with Tabby, or come and see us at our Dubai showroom.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Al Wathba Cycle Track?There are five nested route options: 8 km and 16 km for beginners, and 20 km, 22 km or the full 30 km outer loop for more experienced riders. Because the loops sit inside one another, you can change your distance mid-ride.

Is Al Wathba Cycle Track lit at night?Yes. The track is illuminated with solar-powered lighting and lit distance markers, which makes it one of the few places in the UAE where evening training is realistic through summer. Still run your own lights.

Where is Al Wathba Cycle Track?Near the Camel Race Track in Al Wathba, an outer district of Abu Dhabi roughly 40 to 50 minutes from the city centre. It is easy to drive past, so set your map pin before you leave.

Is Al Wathba Cycle Track free?It is generally described as free to use with spacious parking on site, though official sources are not explicit on entry or opening hours, so check before planning a very early or late session.

Is Al Wathba suitable for beginners?Yes. The 8 km loop is laid out specifically for beginners and the nested design means you are never far from the car park. Ride in the evening or early morning and carry plenty of water.

What bike is best for Al Wathba?A road bike suits the paved loops best. A gravel bike also works well. You do not need a mountain bike here.