Al Wathba Cycle Track: Map, Loops & Facts
Al Wathba Cycle Track is Abu Dhabi's flagship desert cycling venue: a free, purpose-built network of five loops of 8, 16, 20, 22 and 30 km through rolling dunes beside the Al Wathba camel racecourse, about 40 minutes southeast of Abu Dhabi city off the E22. Solar-powered lighting keeps it ridable at night and the track never closes. The on-site Besport shop rents hybrids from AED 30/hour and carbon road bikes from AED 60/hour, with helmets, showers, lockers and changing rooms at the trailhead. In season, pair a dawn ride with the 4,000-strong flamingo flocks at the nearby Al Wathba Wetland Reserve.
Key facts
- Loops
- 8, 16, 20, 22 and 30 km · shorter loops signed for beginners
- Surface
- Asphalt · rolling desert terrain · vehicle-free
- Lighting
- Solar-powered lights · night riding is standard here
- Hours
- Track open 24/7
- Entry cost
- Free · pay only for rentals
- Bike rental
- Besport on site: hybrid AED 30/hr · carbon AED 60/hr · kids' bikes AED 30/hr
- Rental hours
- Sun–Thu 16:00–22:00 · Fri–Sat 06:30–22:00
- Facilities
- Helmets, changing rooms, showers, lockers, parking, lakeside pergolas
- Distance from Abu Dhabi
- ≈40 km southeast · 40–50 min via E22
- Nearby
- Al Wathba Wetland Reserve: flamingos Oct–Apr, free, Tue–Sat 08:00–18:00
- Best time
- Oct–Apr · dawn or after dark year-round
Verified against the sources below (desk research, field ride pending).
Routes & loops
Al Wathba's signature is choice. Five loops share one trailhead: 8 and 16 km circuits signed for beginners and families, and 20, 22 and 30 km loops that roll deeper into the dunes for stronger riders. Chain them and a 60–90 km training morning builds easily. Unlike pancake-flat Al Qudra, Al Wathba rolls: the loops ride through genuine desert contours, which makes the 30 km circuit a proper workout rather than just a long spin. The setting is pure Abu Dhabi outback: camels training on the neighbouring racecourse at dawn, dunes to the horizon, and the whole network is bicycle-only. Solar lighting along the track means the after-dark session is a first-class option, not a compromise, and in summer it's the only sensible one.
Getting there
The track sits in the Al Wathba district roughly 40 km southeast of Abu Dhabi city. Reckon 40 to 50 minutes' drive via the E22 (Al Ain road), next to the Al Wathba camel race track. There is no practical public transport; it's private car or ride-hailing, with free parking at the trailhead. Coming from Dubai, it's about 90 minutes via the E11/E22, which makes a dawn-ride-plus-flamingos day trip realistic in season.
Rentals & facilities
The on-site rental shop, Besport (run with Front Line Sports), is the only operator at the track: aluminium and hybrid bikes around AED 30 an hour, carbon road bikes around AED 60, kids' bikes and trailers available, helmets included. Mind the hours: on weekdays the shop opens at 4 pm (running to 10 pm), while weekends run 6:30 am to 10 pm, so a midweek sunrise ride means bringing your own bike. The trailhead covers the essentials: changing rooms with showers, lockers, toilets and shaded pergolas near the lake. Like every desert track, carry more water than you think you need: facilities cluster at the start, not out on the loops.
What riders should know
Rider knowledge: community consensus (rider guides, Tripadvisor reviews), not official information.
The rhythm here mirrors Al Qudra: October to April is the season, weekend mornings bring the crowds and the pacelines, and summer riding compresses to dawn and the floodlit evening hours. The rolling profile catches out riders who pace off flat-track numbers: save something for the back half of the 30 km loop, where the contours and the prevailing wind usually conspire. The wildlife pairing is the bit visitors remember: the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, a short drive away, hosts over 4,000 greater flamingos between roughly September and April (free entry, open season 1 Oct–30 Apr, Tue–Sat 08:00–18:00). Ride at sunrise, flamingos by mid-morning, brunch in the city. Al Qudra riders will feel instantly at home; Al Wathba is the same desert formula with hills.
From riders
No rider notes yet. Rode it lately? Tell the next rider what to expect.
FAQ
How long is the Al Wathba cycle track?
There are five loop options from one trailhead: 8, 16, 20, 22 and 30 km. Our map shows about 38 km of track network in total. The 8 and 16 km loops are signed for beginners; the longer loops roll through bigger dune terrain. (Sources: dubizzle, Wolfi's, Thrillophilia.)
Is Al Wathba cycle track free, and is it open at night?
Yes, the track is free and open 24/7, with solar-powered lighting that makes night riding routine. You only pay if you rent a bike. (Sources: dubizzle, Desert Buggys.)
Can I rent a bike at Al Wathba and what does it cost?
Yes, Besport at the trailhead rents hybrids from about AED 30/hour and carbon road bikes from AED 60/hour, helmets included. Note the hours: weekdays 4–10 pm, weekends 6:30 am–10 pm, so midweek dawn rides need your own bike. (Sources: dubizzle, Time Out Abu Dhabi.)
How far is Al Wathba from Abu Dhabi and Dubai?
About 40 km (40–50 minutes) southeast of Abu Dhabi city via the E22, and roughly 90 minutes from Dubai. It sits beside the Al Wathba camel race track. (Sources: BikePark, dubizzle.)
When can I see the flamingos at Al Wathba?
The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve nearby hosts 4,000+ greater flamingos in migration season. Entry is free; the reserve opens 1 October–30 April, Tuesday–Saturday 08:00–18:00, and closes in summer. (Source: Visit Abu Dhabi.)
Al Wathba or Al Qudra: which should I ride?
Al Qudra (Dubai) is longer and dead flat: pure distance. Al Wathba (Abu Dhabi) is shorter but rolling, better lit, and has cheaper on-site rentals. If you're in Dubai, Al Qudra; if you want hills or a night desert ride, Al Wathba is worth the drive.
Work with us
Run a bike shop, café, rental or event near a track? Tell us what you have in mind.
Email ads@dubaicyclelanes.com