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Edge of the World

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Edge of the World

Sheer cliffs of the Tuwaiq Escarpment that drop to an endless desert plain north-west of Riyadh — the classic desert excursion from the capital, best at sunset.

Favourite places

Local food

  • Saudi coffee (gahwa) and dates

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Light, golden Arabic coffee brewed with cardamom (and sometimes saffron or clove), poured in small handleless cups and always served with dates. Offering gahwa is the first gesture of Saudi hospitality — hold the cup in your right hand, and gently shake it when you have had enough.Read more

  • Kabsa

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia's best-known dish: long-grain rice cooked with a warm spice mix, tomato and stock, piled on a large platter and topped with chicken or lamb, fried onions, nuts and raisins. Often shared from one tray.

  • Desert barbecue

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Many tours and local groups grill chicken or lamb on the sand after sunset, with bread, salad and tea.

Where to eat

  • Olaya and Tahlia Street

    Olaya district, around Kingdom Centre

    Riyadh's busiest dining strip: Saudi, Levantine, Turkish, Indian and international restaurants, cafés and dessert shops, open late into the night.

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Where to stay

  • Olaya and King Fahd Road

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    The modern business heart of Riyadh, around Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah Tower: large international hotels, malls and restaurants, and the Riyadh Metro Blue Line along Olaya Street.

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Culture

Desert trips are a favourite Saudi pastime in the cooler months: friends and families drive out to camp, grill and drink gahwa under the stars. Leave no trace and take your rubbish back with you.

History

The Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) is a section of the Tuwaiq Escarpment, a long limestone ridge that runs for hundreds of kilometres through central Arabia. Here the plateau ends in cliffs that fall abruptly to the plain below, giving a view that seems to stretch to the horizon.

The rocks were laid down in an ancient sea, and fossils can be found in places. An old caravan route once passed below the cliffs. Today the spot is one of the most popular day trips from Riyadh, reached across a rough desert track.

Tour plans

Sunset at the Edge of the World

Half day

  1. Step 1: Leave Riyadh after lunch

    Drive north-west with a 4x4 tour or guide.

  2. Step 2: Desert track

    The last stretch across the plateau on rough ground.

  3. Step 3: Walk the cliff tops

    Explore the viewpoints and watch the sunset.

  4. Step 4: Return after dark

    Drive back to Riyadh, often with a desert dinner on the way.

Map

Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Travel information

Best time to visit

October to March, arriving for sunset. Avoid summer heat and rainy days, when tracks can be closed or unsafe.

How to get there

From Riyadh: roughly 90–100 km north-west of the city, about 1.5–2 hours. The last stretch is an unpaved desert track: go with a 4x4 and an experienced driver, or book an organised tour from Riyadh that includes transport.

Getting around

  • From the parking area, walk along the cliff-top paths to the viewpoints.
  • Some tours include a hike down into the valley below the cliffs.

Travel tips

  • Access can change — the site has at times been closed or limited; check before you go and follow local rules.
  • Stay well back from the cliff edges; there are no railings.
  • Bring water, snacks, sun protection and a torch for the return after sunset; mobile signal can be weak.
  • Do not attempt the track in an ordinary car.

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