Previously only open to professional World Tour riders taking part in the Tour of Oman, the full 13.73km route from the base of the Green Mountain is classified as an HC climb (hors categorie) – the hardest category – with an average 10.3% gradient and 1,411m vertical gain, and is widely acknowledged as the best in the whole Middle East region.

It’s a mountain challenge accepted and won by the likes of Chris Froome – who won the stage on the Tour of Oman in 2013 and 2014 – though the pro racers only take on half the full climb. On Haute Route Oman a 32 cassette and compact chainring will be essential here.   
 
The Jebel Akhdar experience is, however, just part of a course which has been designed to highlight Oman’s unique natural beauty alongside a memorable cycling challenge.

From 1-3 March 2019 Haute Route Oman will take riders on a 238km route that will include climbs with an elevation gain totalling 5,248 metres. Day one includes the formidable Jebel Akhdar climb as part of an 83.27km classic road format stage.

The second day also features a classic road stage – this a 145.3km course taking in the 22.8km HC Hoota Climb which has an average 5.9% gradient with spikes up to 11%. The field’s reward is a summit view of Wadi Banyal – also known as the ‘Grand Canyon of Oman’ – and then a fast sweeping 23km descent.

Individual time trials on the final day will see riders pass through the idyllic 400-year-old village of Al Hamra on a 9.33km course which concludes with a 7.4% gradient mini-climb of 343m to the finish in the iconic village of Misfat Al Abryyn in the heart of the Sultanate.

The Haute Route Oman entry fee is currently reduced by 8% to $875, this special rate expires on October 31st.