Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve: Trails, Wildlife and Visitor Tips
Cedars, firs and wild apples in one forest above Ehden: a guide to walking Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve in any season.
- Region
- North Lebanon (Zgharta district)
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Best time to visit
- May to October, October for autumn colour
Horsh Ehden is a protected mountain forest just above the town of Ehden in North Lebanon, on the northwestern slopes of Mount Lebanon between roughly 1,200 and 2,000 metres. It was declared a nature reserve in 1992, and for its size it is one of the richest places for plants in the country: more than 1,000 species have been recorded here, close to 40 percent of Lebanon’s flora.
What makes it different from Lebanon’s other cedar reserves is the mix. Cedars grow alongside Cilician fir, Greek juniper, oaks and maples, and the reserve shelters the Lebanese wild apple. The result is a forest that changes colour through the year and has trails for every level, from short family walks to full-day hikes.
What you will see
Trees and plants
The reserve’s cedar stand is an important share of what remains in Lebanon, and it is the southern limit of the Cilician fir’s natural range. It is also the only protected area in the country with a community of wild apple trees (Malus trilobata). About 115 of its plant species are found only in Lebanon, and around ten grow nowhere else but here. Spring and early summer bring wildflowers, and in October the maples and wild fruit trees turn red and gold.
Birds and wildlife
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon lists Horsh Ehden as an Important Bird Area, with 148 bird species recorded, including eagles and other raptors on migration. Wolves still live in the wider forest, though you are very unlikely to see one. Birdwatching is best from April to September, and the reserve has a hidden observation post.
The trails
The reserve is divided into several zones with more than ten marked trails through the valleys and over the rolling hills. Wooden signs along the paths name the plants, which makes even a short walk interesting for children. Springs such as Ain Naassa and Ain al Bayada are natural rest stops.
The main access is from Ehden, about 3.5 km from the town, with other entrances from Jouit and Ain al Bayada. Start at the entrance, where rangers can suggest a route for your time and fitness, and book a guide for longer hikes. Mountain biking is allowed outside the snow season, and snowshoeing replaces walking in winter.
Choosing a walk
- With children or for a first visit: a short loop from the entrance through mixed forest, with the plant signs and a stop at a spring.
- For regular hikers: a half-day route climbing towards the upper cedar and fir stands, with views over the coast towards Tripoli.
- For a full day: combine several trails with a guide and continue towards the high ridges.
The Lebanon Mountain Trail also passes through the Ehden area if you want to link the reserve with a longer walk.
A suggested day
Morning
Have breakfast in Ehden, then drive up to the reserve early, when the forest is cool and the birds are most active. Walk a loop of two to three hours.
Afternoon
Picnic near a spring, or head back down for a long lunch. Ehden and Zgharta are known across Lebanon for their kibbeh, especially raw kibbeh nayyeh served with fresh mint and onion; our kibbeh nayyeh recipe explains the dish. The restaurants by the spring at Mar Sarkis, just outside town, are a long-standing summer favourite.
Evening
Walk around the Midan, Ehden’s main square, which fills with families and cafés on summer evenings, and climb to the hilltop church of Saydet el Hosn for the sunset view over the valley.
Where to stay and what to buy
For a night in the forest setting, Kroum Ehden Boutique Resort is a quiet base near nature. Before leaving, pick up sweets from Douaihy Sweets, a Zgharta name for baklava and maamoul, and wild herb teas from L’Herbier du Liban, which sources herbs from the Lebanese mountains. You can also find the reserve itself on Made in Liban: Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve.
Practical tips
- Ehden is a summer town. Many families from Zgharta move up for the season, so July and August are lively and busy, while spring and autumn are quieter for hiking.
- The reserve keeps seasonal hours, and overnight movement is restricted. Check before you go and plan to be out by late afternoon.
- Wear proper shoes; paths are rocky and can be slippery after rain.
- Do not pick plants or fruit. Many species here are rare, and the wild apples are protected.
- Bring water and a layer. It is much cooler than the coast, and weather changes fast at altitude.
Nearby
The Cedars of God and Bsharri are less than an hour’s drive; see our Cedars of God trails guide. The Qadisha valley lies between the two and is worth a separate day.
