On the rocky Edge of the World

On our bucket list for Saudi Arabia was of course also the infamous Edge of the World. It is a popular tourist destination in Saudi Arabia also known as "Jebel Fihrayn," which is located about 80 kilometers northwest of Riyadh extending the Tuwaik Mountain range. This is a natural geological formation that consists of a plateau that rises to a height of over 1,400 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

The name is well deserved with the canyons that plunge 1000 feet into the depths like a vertical wall at the end of a jolting desert tour. The view is breathtaking.

The "Edge of the World" has become a popular spot for hikers, climbers, and adventure enthusiasts, who come to explore the rugged terrain and enjoy the stunning views from the top. The plateau is surrounded by steep cliffs and deep canyons, and the area is home to a variety of wildlife, including Arabian wolves, hyenas, and desert foxes.

We opted for an organized tour, where we also got to meet some nice people. Two young South Koreans with more tips for our eventual trip to South Korea and a Chinese Singaporean, we definitely had a lot of fun in the car together. Even if you got a resilient 4WD as a rental car, there are a few things to keep in mind. There is no reception and since google maps did not always work very trustworthy in Saudi Arabia, the trip can quickly become an adventure. Another benefit was a final BBQ session in the middle of the desert, part of the team had set out earlier and built a cozy desert fire camp with fire pits, fairy lights and seating areas lined with rugs and pillows. There was a delicious dinner with tea and traditional Saudi food. It was more than worth it.

TIP #1: If possible do the tour on Friday, because of the prayers on holy Friday the tour starts only from 2pm and so we could admire the spectacle during sunset.

TIP #2: Take warm clothes, suntan lotion, sunglasses and sometimes a windproof thin jacket helps. You hear it so often, but in the desert it actually gets cold, especially when the sun has set. On our day it was very stormy, the rocks are 1000m above the desert and the wind blew us properly around the ears.

We recommend the excursion to anyone visiting Riyadh. It is breathtaking and a great change from the busy city life in big Riyadh. Along the desert roads we head out of Riyadh, see also the typical traffic impressions in our other Saudi post. Camels, desert and distant expanse. After a short stop at a last supermarket and toilet, we now head off-road. The 4WD's rushed through the desert dust, at every horizon we expected the view into the depths, but first more desert expanses followed. After just under 20 minutes of desert dust, the time had finally come, there were tourists, but still not as many as in other top spots on this earth.

Due to the strong wind you had to watch very well where you step. Also an advantage of a young tourist country, it nothing for safety overly cordoned off. What urges caution, but brings a very different kind of experience. Marvel yourself at the vastness and depths of the "Edge of the world". The pictures are great, but to have been there is just an incredible feeling and will remain an eternal memory!