The Edge of the World

The Edge of the World, or Jebel Fihrayn, is one of the most spectacular natural sights near Riyadh, a dramatic section of the great Tuwaiq escarpment where sheer cliffs drop hundreds of metres to a vast, empty desert plain that stretches, seemingly without end, to the distant horizon. Standing on the clifftop, with the endless expanse below and the wind whistling past, gives the powerful and unforgettable illusion of standing at the very edge of the world, a breathtaking and popular escape into the desert.

What you actually see

• The clifftop viewpoint - the sheer edge over the endless plain.
• The escarpment - the dramatic Tuwaiq cliffs and rock formations.
• The sunset - the desert glowing at dusk from the clifftop.
• The desert drive - the four-wheel-drive journey across the sands.

When to go

November to March, the cool season, for bearable temperatures, as the desert is dangerously hot in summer; sunset is the magical hour, when the cliffs and plain glow, though it means driving back in the dark. Go with a tour or a capable four-wheel drive.

Honest expectations

Reaching it requires a journey of a couple of hours from Riyadh, the last stretch on rough desert tracks that need a four-wheel drive, so most visitors go on an organised tour. There are no facilities, so bring water and supplies, and the unfenced cliff edges demand real care. The view, especially at sunset, is genuinely spectacular and well worth the effort.

Nearby

Riyadh and the historic Diriyah district are within reach.