Sudus Village

A small village comprised of sundried, mudbrick houses, Sudus provides a sense of heritage and tradition. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience what life historically looked like for people in the region, with parts of the village renovated and preserved by the local authorities. A stroll through narrow alleys reveals various handicrafts, traditional Arabic coffee and food for visitors to enjoy.

  The Hidden Cave

For those driving via Sudus, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it hole in the ground makes for a curious stop-off en route. The opening in the mountain, around 1m², is the entrance to an unexpectedly large underground cave, home to resident bats. It’s possible to descend into the dark, humid cavern via the sturdy ladder that someone has thoughtfully bolted to the entrance.

  Edge of the World

The cliffs of Jabal Fihrayn soar skywards to a height of 1,006m, forming a naturally curved wall that erupts out of the vast plains that stretch out north-west of Riyadh. Standing on the cantilevered plateau or sheer precipice, and gazing towards the infinite horizon, gives the thrilling – and slightly surreal – feeling of standing at the very edge of the world. It is this sensation, of course, which has lent the spot its popular name.

A well-trodden trail leads visitors to the furthest vantage point: a cluster of wind-sculpted pillars where the panorama is especially breathtaking. There are phenomenal views at every turn, and if you’re feeling brave, try exploring some of the site’s naturally formed ledges and overhangs.

If, like most visitors, you’ve come to the Edge of the World to admire the view with a picnic, then you should time your visit for sunset, when the dramatic cliffs are bathed in luminous shades of red and orange. However, unless it’s mid-week, you’re unlikely to be alone. Sunset tends to draw groups from Riyadh, and an isolated tourist camp and coffee tent have been set up to cater to their needs.

The Edge of the World has enjoyed increased publicity over the past few years, but it remains a remote destination and is relatively unmarked. There are a number of access points once the paved roads end – either via the wide, tree-studded terrain of Sha’ib al Khumrah (the gates close at sunset) or via Sudus. If you opt for the turn-off at Sudus Dam, it’s a bone-jolting 45-minute journey across uneven rock and gravelly sand terrain, which can be deceptively soft in parts. While it is possible to drive all the way to the plateau, most abandon their vehicles at the foot of the steep, challenging hills just a few hundred metres away from the site and walk the rest of the way.

  The Window

There’s a particularly exciting ledge marked on the map that curves around the escarpment and offers a jaw-dropping perspective over a point known as The Window – a natural amphitheatre between two cliffs. This dip in the escarpment is where hikers can set off along a trail that leads down to the lower plateau and valley, in which you can find fossils from some 50 million years ago.

  Sha'ib al Khumrah

Given the giddying heights, it’s not recommended to camp anywhere near the escarpment. The best place to pitch a tent is in Sha’ib al Khumrah, where there are many sheltered nooks, lots of trees for shade and, with no lights at all in the area, magnificent star-filled skies at night. Entry to the valley is via a gate manned by rangers and though camping is permitted, the gates are closed at sunset – even to those wishing to leave.

DRIVING DIRECTION

There are two routes to reach the Edge of the World. The first leads through Sha’ib al Khumrah and the second route via Sudus is a 45-minute journey across uneven rock and gravelly sand terrain.

  1     Option 1: Take a left. When you reach Al Hissiyah Dam, take a slight right and enter the gate to Sha’ib al Khumrah. The gate is only open Friday and Saturday.

Option 2: Go straight. After Sudus Village, take a left at the roundabout and then straight at the second roundabout. After 1.5km, take a left.

  1a     Take a right before Sudus Dam. Follow the track.

  2     Continue straight for approximately 6km. You will see a rock cairn on the right side for the Hidden Cave.

  3     After exploring the Hidden Cave, go straight. You will reach the Edge of the World.