There are many mammoth cliffs in the world that will give you goosebumps, but Edge of the World has a special appeal of its own. In the rocky desert northwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia lies the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn). From the escarpment, you have a panoramic view of the horizon, earning this site its nickname. Observing the sky from atop them, you see how the earth dissolves into the sky as you look to the horizon. A MASSIVE NATURE WALL RISES DRAMATICALLY FROM THE DESERT IN THE FORM OF THESE CLIFFS.
One of the highest cliffs in the world, the Edge of the World, is located about 100 km from Riyadh at the end of the Tuwaik Mountain range. This range extends over 800 km. Those who love mountain climbing and hiking will enjoy The Edge of the World. Edge of the World has a certain charm that is amplified by the magnificent desert setting, giving it an incredible, hard-to-describe fairytale appearance.
The Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) is an unexpected and dramatic geological wonder. Arabian plate movements toward the northeast caused the spectacular cliffs to form. It is the constant motion of tectonic plates that explains such geological phenomena as continental drift and mountain building. Tectonic plates are “massive, irregularly shaped slabs of solid rock” that float on semifluid rocks. The sediment layers seen in the escarpment seem to confirm this occurrence.
The escarpment’s uninterrupted views of the horizon are the reason the site earned its nickname. There’s a 1,000-foot drop to an ancient ocean bed at the bottom of the Tuwaiq Escarpment. As you stand on the cliffs, you’ll see camels moving far below you and see dried rivers weaving across the land. There was once a caravan route within the shadow of this ridge that brought camels and their herders on well-trodden paths. There is a popular path that takes you down to the lower plateau through a place called “the window.”
There are a number of hiking trails on and around the cliffs. It is even possible to reach the lower plateau by passing through a spot referred to as “the window.” While exploring, look for fossils and be careful of sharp rocks and loose gravel. Winter is a good time to visit. Especially at sunset, the steep ascent and scenery on the road are breathtaking. Nowhere else on earth can you see sunsets as ethereal as those at the Edge of the World. It might have something to do with the desert’s versatile color, the fairytale terrain, or even just the cliffs’ height of 300 meters. Consider the environment when choosing your shoes, and pay a little respect to them.
Before attempting either road, stock up on food and water. Since there is no cellular reception here, you may get stuck if you don’t have another vehicle. Two different approaches are described in On the Way Around. Acacia Valley is the most popular, but it’s only open on Fridays and Saturdays. Alternatively, you can access the Sadus Dam at any time. Low-rise vehicles will have difficulty navigating either route due to rough roads.
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