Best Ecotourism and Hiking Experiences in Lebanon

Lebanon is small, but its ridges, cedar forests and river valleys hold a long list of walks, from gentle village loops to multi-day treks. Some of the best ways in are run by nonprofits and reserve associations, others by hiking clubs that have been leading weekend outings for decades. Here are the names to know.

How we chose

Every organisation here is listed in the Made in Liban directory and runs its activities in Lebanon. We favoured listings with clear information about routes, programmes and how visits work. We have not joined every outing ourselves, so the notes below are based on what each group and reserve offers.

Reserves and long-distance trails

Lebanon Mountain Trail Association

The Lebanon Mountain Trail runs about 470 km from Andqet in Akkar to Marjaayoun in the south, through more than 75 towns and villages in 27 sections. The association that looks after it was formed in 2007. Each spring it runs a month-long thru-walk with nights in village guesthouses, and it trains local guides and helps families open traditional houses to walkers. Visit Lebanon Mountain Trail Association

Shouf Biosphere Reserve

Set up in 1996, the Shouf reserve is the largest in Lebanon and protects about a quarter of the country’s remaining cedars across three forests. Six entrances each lead to their own trails: Barouk has a stone bird hide over Hill Lake, Niha leads to a medieval fort, and Mresti opens onto the Roman Oak Trail. Visitors can also rent bikes and adopt a cedar. Visit Shouf Biosphere Reserve

Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve

On the western slopes of Mount Lebanon in Keserwan, Jabal Moussa covers about 6,500 hectares and joined UNESCO’s biosphere network in 2009. Its fifteen trails include Hadrian’s Incline, which follows old Roman roads and steps. Walkers can sleep in family guesthouses in four villages and eat lunches cooked nearby. Visit Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve

Above Ehden in North Lebanon, this forest reserve sits between roughly 1,200 and 2,000 metres and has more than ten signed trails. It holds the last Lebanese population of the endemic wild apple, alongside cedar, Cilician fir and juniper. Birdwatching runs from April to September, and snowshoeing takes over in winter. Visit Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve

Hiking clubs and adventure operators

33North

Mountain leader Gilbert Moukheiber started 33North in 1996, and it works from Beit Mery. Its biggest project is the Boukaat Loubnan Trails, long routes through the northern and eastern Bekaa, Hermel and the foothills of Mount Hermon. Trips include walking with shepherds during the seasonal migration of their flocks, winter expeditions and wilderness skills training. Visit 33North

Liban Trek

Running since January 1997, Liban Trek calls itself Lebanon’s first ecotourism company. Scheduled Sunday hikes at different levels leave from Hikmeh in Achrafieh, and longer treks stay in guesthouses, monasteries or tents. Note that its scheduled trips do not include participant insurance. Visit Liban Trek

Vamos Todos

Mark Aoun launched this hiking club and ecotourism NGO in 2006. Weekend outings range from sunset walks to snowshoeing, rafting and caving. In Zeaitreh, about ten minutes from Jabal Moussa, it runs a guesthouse in a house said to be around 250 years old and a campsite where donkeys carry gear up to camp. Visit Vamos Todos

Dale Corazon – Lebanon Explorers

Since 2011 this group has mixed classic hikes with seasonal outings such as mushroom hunting, fruit picking and olive harvest days that end with pressing the oil. A separate programme, The Little Explorer, is aimed at children. Its website says participants have hospital insurance during activities. Visit Dale Corazon – Lebanon Explorers

Footprints Nature Club

With a hike every week and more than 600 numbered trips behind it by April 2024, Footprints suits both beginners and regulars. Beyond walking it offers climbing, caving, rafting, wet hikes, night hikes and via ferrata. Members book through the club’s own mobile app. Visit Footprints Nature Club

WeAreHikers

Founded by Theodor Abi-Mansour and run from an office in Dora, WeAreHikers organises public and private hikes every week of the year for different ages and fitness levels. Its team includes a field coordinator trained in first aid and CPR. Visit WeAreHikers

Farm visits

Pure Farms

For a slower day out, this beekeeping farm in the Batroun district is a stop on the Batroun HoneyBee Route. Beekeeper Marcel Joe Houayek keeps hives in Oura and near Saida, and visitors can taste oak, thyme and cedar honey, join a workshop of about an hour and a half or book a farm to table meal.

Tips

Check the difficulty level before you book, and ask how long the walk takes and how much climbing it involves.
Ask whether insurance is included. Some operators include it and some do not.
Wear broken-in hiking shoes and bring water, sun protection and a warm layer. Mountain weather changes quickly.
Stay on marked trails in reserves and follow the rangers’ guidance.
For multi-day walks, book village guesthouses ahead, since many have only a few rooms.
Carry your rubbish out with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the longest hiking trail in Lebanon?

The Lebanon Mountain Trail, at about 470 km from Andqet in the north to Marjaayoun in the south, is the country’s first long-distance hiking route.

Can I hike in Lebanon in winter?

Yes. Several groups here, including Liban Trek, Vamos Todos and Footprints Nature Club, run snowshoe outings, and Horsh Ehden offers snowshoeing in winter.

Where can I see cedars on foot?

The Shouf Biosphere Reserve protects about a quarter of Lebanon’s remaining cedar forest, and Horsh Ehden also has cedars among its trees.