A Trip to the Edge of the World, Riyadh
Driving into the wild and harsh environment of the desert outside Riyadh, trying not to get your wheels stuck in the soft ground, you wonder are you even on the right track. It feels like you have been driving for ages. There have been places where what you drove over could not be described as even an off-road track. You are trying to find the Edge of the World in Riyadh. One of the most visited places by expats living here. Anyone who has done any touring in Riyadh will have heard about this place. You’re hoping that you find it!
What is the Edge of the World?
The Edge of the World is a breath taking viewpoint at the top of 300m high cliffs that look down over the plains below. Created by movements in the earth’s plates, you can see fossils left behind from the times when the area was once a Jurassic sea.
Nowadays, people come to gaze on the valley below, or to spend the night star gazing as the sky is crisp and clear overhead.
Located at the end of an off-road track about 100km from Riyadh, the area can be a little tricky to find if you don’t know some pointers.
Getting to the Edge of the World?
First things first, don’t go alone, and don’t go without a jeep capable of off road driving! A regular car will not make the journey through the off road section. There are many places where you need four wheel drive and a good clearance off the ground. Make sure you go in a convoy in case one of you has an incident so you can all go in one car to find help.
Driving north from Riyadh, along what is called the Salboukh Road, you need to take a turn off from the main highway towards the town of Jubaylah. Driving for another 35km you come to a place called Sadus. Just past this is a turn off to the left onto a desert road. This is signposted for the Edge of the World but keep an eye out for it.
Now you need to go for about 4km on this road. Watch out for an entry point on your right hand side into the off road track to the Edge of the World.
If you miss the turn off and go too far you come to a military area near Sadus Dam. You have no option but to turn around. It can be tough to spot this entry to the off road section so keep your eyes open for it.
The Off Road Section
And now for the fun part! The off road section! Fun if you have brought the proper car and are the lead car at least! Not so much fun for the person behind you who is trying to navigate through an endless cloud of dust thrown up by your wheels. The ground is very soft in places on this road. So you will need to keep moving to avoid getting stuck. If you do need to stop for any reason, try to spot a bit of harder ground or an area where the tyre tracks look less deep.
After the soft section, you will come onto the hard ground again. This path will eventually look like it goes to the right (about 5.5km from the entry point). But if you follow this you end up in an old stream bed. You will need to make your way back to the correct path which is up on the embankment to your left as you came down that road.
Once on this path, it’s basically plain sailing for the next 17km to your destination. Just keep a look out for the sections where you will be going over some rocks and dry river beds. If you hit these too fast you will damage your vehicle. Take it nice and slow over these and you’ll be just fine.
What to Expect from the Edge of the World
Your first views of the Edge of the World will be through a rocky formation resembling a window, (without the top frame!). The landscape below comes into view as you get closer to the edge. You realize your trip has been worth it.
Off in the distance the plains disappear into infinity. And the dry river beds stand out like veins on the back of your hand.
You can walk up to the top of the cliffs by a track on both sides of this window. Getting to the top, the edge of the cliffs wind their way into the hazy distance for as far as you can see. Their sheer height makes you feel very small and vulnerable. At the base of the cliffs you can see the collection of debris from previous landslides which have gathered over the years. In some sections whole large portions of the cliff have broken off and are lying at their base like fallen giants.
The barrenness in front of you, the heat, the lack of any greenery or water, it is such a forbidding and harsh view, yet at the same time, it is one of nature’s marvelous views and you will be in awe standing here.
Safety at the Cliffs
Naturally, because of the views and the fact you can get right up to the cliff face, it is common for people to try to get that perfect photo. Where it looks like they are sitting on a cliff face hundreds of metres high with not a care in the world? You know the one we mean.
However, what you must remember is that these cliffs can at any moment fall away from under your feet. The edges are brittle and you only need to look along the cliff to see that what may look like a stable face is just a projection sticking out. If you stand on that and it decides to go, then you go too. (Unfortunately this did happen to one woman some years ago so it can be a reality).
You can get plenty of good pictures by staying well back from the cliff edges. For your own sake, stay safe and on good solid ground. Yes they are a thing of beauty, but they can also come crashing down at any second and be a thing of utter destruction too.
Leaving the Cliffs
The cliffs are an amazing feat of nature, and a true spectacle to witness. That an area so barren and bare, so harsh and unforgiving, could once have been green and vibrant, it makes you think how much more our global landscapes will change in the millennia to come.
Maybe someday the water will return and fill the riverbeds again, bringing a new life to the area. Until it does, the Edge of the World will remain a place for people to look and gaze upon, and only guess at what it must have been like millions of years ago.
– Information if you are planning this activity
Cost: There is no entry fee; your only cost will be petrol.
When to do: It is best to go in the early morning as it is quieter. Be aware that in the summer months it will be about 50°C and snakes and scorpions may be more active.
Duration of activity: It will take close to two hours to drive there from Riyadh, including some off-road driving. If you don’t do any trekking you could spend an hour there, more for doing some walks around the area.
What to bring with you: Make sure and bring lots of water and some snacks. Fill your jeep with petrol before setting off as it’s not a good place to run out of petrol! In the hot months as its outdoors ensure you have a hat and sunscreen.
Location: For the location in Google Maps please click here.
Our Saudi Arabia Travel Guide
- For our Saudi Arabia Travel Guide with information for people looking to travel to Saudi Arabia please click here.
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