If you wish to watch the sunset in complete silence with your soulmate atop the massive cliffs towering over endless golden desert sands, then check out a rare gem with a breathtaking view near Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. While standing at a height of 300 m over the 1000 feet escarpment, with an unforgettable view of cloud rolling skies blending into the sandy dunes along with the rocky realm of the dried-up river beds, you will experience an exhilarating “Edge of the world” feel!
Nestled in the rocky desert of Riyadh, Jebel Fihrayn has rightly earned its nickname, Edge of the world, with its cliffs rising dramatically from the desert to reach the sky, making it look like a natural wall. This geological wonder near Riyadh kindles the poet in you with its stunning view of the cloud-laced sky melting into the barren, rocky desert lands invoking mixed emotions in you.
How The Edge Of The World Riyadh Was Formed?
These huge cliffs of Jebel Fihrayn were formed as the result of the Arabian plate’s tectonic movement in the northeast direction due to the 1000 km Red sea rift towards the Tuwaiq escarpment in the west. The cliffs acquired the beautifully carved layers of sediments accumulated since the Jurassic era when the region had the Arabian Peninsula as a tropical ocean 150 million years ago.
While walking along the region, relic lovers can look out for fossils, as it was an ocean bed earlier. If lucky, you can spot some raw mineral deposits and coral fossils in some areas of the valley below. You can click as many pictures of the fossils you come across at the Edge of the world but it is prohibited to bring those artifacts from that region.
How To Reach The Edge Of The World?
The distance between Riyadh and Jebel Fihrayn is about 100 km and it takes around 2 hours to reach the Edge of the world. As public transportation is not available in these parts, it is recommended to rent a cab for self-driving or contact a travel company for a day tour. You can also use a personal car or join a hiking or tour group to reach this sublime region.
Routes to Reach The Edge of the world
A village named Al Uyayna is the starting point for the 2 routes available to reach the Edge of the world. They are:
Route 1: Sadus Dam
If you are planning to travel to the Edge of the world on a two-wheeler, then take the path on the Sadus dam route, as it has loose sand, which makes travel much easier. The route according to Google maps begins with the dam and leads towards Jebel Fihrayn. The entrance doesn’t have any gates, which makes the route usable at any time of the day.
Route 2: Acacia Valley
The Acacia valley route to the Edge of the world begins with a curvy road that has another bend leading towards the dam. This route has a gated turn that is open for travelers on two days – Friday and Saturday.
Things to do
1. Enjoy Hiking Activities At Jebel Fihrayn
While standing tall at 300 m height atop the sky-high cliffs, you will notice sites of dried rivers weaving through and herders with their camels trotting along a path, which was once a caravan route. This magnificent landmark in a natural setting has become a popular spot among solo travelers and hikers.
Touted to be “the window with a rock frame”, Jebel Fihrayn is rich in scenic views with valleys covered by a stunning acacia tree grove filled with lush green vegetation and wildlife. Hikers can choose any path with different difficulty levels to reach the Tuwaiq escarpment to witness the magnificent view below. From Riyadh, it takes around 90 minutes to reach Jebel Fihrayn to begin your hiking expedition.
Be prepared to get a lifetime experience while walking along the rugged terrain full of rocks and steep climbers. Make sure you have sturdy and slip-resistant hiking shoes to walk through sharp rock-filled terrain. Hike through a few hours to pass through the winding trails with curves and enjoy a gorgeous view upon reaching the clifftop.
2. Picnic Spot
Upon reaching the well-paved road by local authorities that takes you to the gate of the Edge of the World, you will find the Shai’b Kharmah valley filled with greenery while visiting during the rainy months of November and April.
This sprawling valley of 15 km from the west leads you to the base of the massive cliffs. Halt in this rustic place for a family picnic, rest, or soak in the picturesque view of Jebel Fihrayn. Once you reach the peak, don’t miss the extraordinary sunset amidst the crimson cloud-filled sky on this desert-scape.
3. Off-Road Activities
Reaching Jebel Fihrayn is a bit challenging, as the path leading to this spot is tricky to drive with soft and hard places spread across the road. However, traveling with the locals is advisable, as they are more familiar with the path. Make sure you have the right kind of vehicle like an SUV or jeep with an excellent navigation system to enjoy off-roading to the fullest.
When To Visit
Best Season
You can visit this desert wonder round the year, but if you love to get a clear-cut view of the spectacular scenery, then plan to visit either in winter or fall. Jebel Fihrayn enjoys a pleasant winter season each year with a temperature of up to 20°C and cool nights. If possible, avoid visiting the place in the summer season with over 50°C temperature, which makes it impossible to travel around. You can also camp at Acacia valley at night to have an unforgettable experience.
Timing
The right time to visit the Edge of the world is an hour before sunset to watch the beautiful sun setting amidst the orange sky. If you have plans to spend the night there, then make sure you reach there before the gate closes at 6 pm.
Safety tips
- The edges of the cliffs are brittle and can cause a slide at any moment. So, avoid standing on the edge while taking selfies or groupies.
- As it is rocky terrain, it is advisable to use specific-built 4X4s, hardcore off-road vehicles or SUVs with good ground clearance, high profile crawler tires, and a top-notch navigation system to drive through the jagged stones on the path.
- Don’t forget to take warm clothes to shield against the chilly nights, and sunscreen, scarves, hats, etc. to escape from the scorching sun during the daytime.
- Fill your vehicle with petrol, as you have a long drive to reach the Edge of the world.
- Wear clothes like sports attire to feel comfortable while hiking through the cliffs.
- As it is a slippery terrain with loose stones and pits, wear appropriate footwear to have a good grip while walking on the rocky slopes.
- If you are keen to know the geographical details of the Edge of the world and its history, then choose a guided tour package from a travel company to have a hassle-free travel experience.
FAQs
1. Is network signal available for cell phones at Edge Of The World, Riyadh?
There is only a slight network reception at the site of Jebel Fihrayn, and sometimes there is no signal at all. So, you cannot browse the internet here.
2. Are food and water available at Edge Of The World, Riyadh?
Make sure you take enough food, snacks, and water before setting off from Riyadh, as there are no eateries, shops, or restaurants available on the Edge of the world.
If you wish to gaze at a wonderful view while having an undeniable feeling that the entire world is below your feet, then look no further than the Edge of the world located in Riyadh. We hope our comprehensive guide on Jebel Fihrayn was informative to help you plan the trip in an organized way.