Where to ride your mountain bike
Here are some of Qatar's most popular locations for mountain biking. Learn more about off-road cycling in Qatar with QCR.
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The Duhail cycle route we know today was first 'discovered' back in the early days of MTBing in Qatar (c. 2010). Situated on an area of scrub land, the surroundings aren't as pretty as Zekreet or Fuwairit but the proximity to Doha makes this course a popular one, especially on Friday mornings. Even the summer heat doesn't stop us - just set the alarm for 3 am!
The course may appear flat from a distance, but you’ll feel the burn after completing the 5km loop of continuous undulations, tight turns, drops, jumps and old tyres. Sadly, Doha is slowly encroaching on the course, there are new developments surrounding the site and access roads crossing the track (beware of trucks). We're not sure how much longer we'll have this resource so make the most of it. |
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The Zekreet peninsula is arguably one of the most beautiful areas of Qatar. It’s also one of the best places to go mountain biking, with terrain ranging from grass meadows to steep loose descents, dunes and limestone bowls.
The area is a UNESCO designated biosphere (Google ‘Al Reem’) and home to a variety of flora and fauna. Zekreet has a breeding programme for the native oryx and gazelle and it’s not unusual to see them grazing. Ostrich too, although thankfully these are penned in The map shows two routes which featured on the 2015 MTB race through Zekreet, with additional ‘detours of interest’ and suggested parking areas, however there is plenty of scope for creating your own routes. After your ride there are lots of beaches along the coastline of the peninsula where you can cool off with a swim in the clear sea and refuel from the BBQ. Please keep Zekreet beautiful by taking your litter home and cleaning up all evidence of BBQs. If you are driving near the coast or after rain, beware that the ground can be very soft. Even 4x4s can get stuck; the rising tide lapping ever closer while the owners frantically look for anyone to tow them out. The Coast Guard have got pretty good at this! |
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This rocky outcrop around one hour north of Doha offers a couple of hours' fun riding up and down the steep gullies, drop-offs and smooth rock faces. Test your nerve along a narrow ledge above the sea.
As a bonus, you are right next to one of Qatar's best beaches. Mountain biking in this country is actually a triathlon of cycling, swimming and barbeque! The routes on the map are suggestions and there are many other possibilities. For a longer ride, follow the coast track north to Al Mafjar to the mangroves and another great beach. On the way there are a few further rocky outcrops, providing jumps and drop-offs. There are some historic settlements along the coast. Please show respect and don’t ride through the old buildings and cemetery. |
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Khor al Adaid (Inland Sea)
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The longest, steepest and most intimidating descents can be found among the sand dunes surrounding the inland sea in the south. It's daunting at first but you quickly learn how to balance while riding down the steep sand. Until you do, you'll have a soft landing and if you find that you like having sand everywhere, then dune biking could be for you. Needless to say, the fat bike is king here.
Each year a 40km race follows a route of salt pans from Sealine resort to the Inland Sea crossing sections of sand and dune on the way (see calendar). We won't provide routes here and instead suggest you go out and discover the biggest, steepest, most bad-ass dunes for yourself. But always follow Qatar's desert driving guidelines:
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