Rock «Edge of the World» in Saudi Arabia

These cliffs rise abruptly from the desert and stretch towards the sky like a huge natural wall. When you stand on top and look at the horizon, it seems as if the endless sky is melting into a barren land. World’s End (Jabel Fikhrain) is an unexpected and dramatic geological wonder in the rocky desert northwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The landmark gets its nickname because at the top of the escarpment you have an uninterrupted view of the horizon.

It is part of the much longer Tuvayka escarpment, which descends 300 meters into the ancient ocean floor. Standing on the rocks, you will see dry rivers weaving along the ground and camels moving far below. These camels and their shepherds follow the beaten path of an ancient caravan route that once passed in the shadow of the rocks. There are several hiking trails on and around the rocks. If you pass through a point called the «window», you can descend to the lower plateau. Keep an eye on the fossils as you explore and be careful as the gravel is loose and the rocks are sharp.

You’ll need an SUV with a permit to get here, but four-wheel drive is optional. A guide/tour is also optional. You should be familiar with driving on dirt roads with heavy potholes, as it’s easy enough to puncture tires if you drive too fast and end up in one of the rocky, sharp-edged potholes. The trip from Riyadh will take from one and a half to two hours.