The most beautiful natural sites to discover Lebanon

Note that it is unfortunately forbidden to film or photograph caves which are divided into two galleries. Once your ticket is in your pocket, a cable car takes you to the top gallery. A 21-minute documentary film on the history of the concretions and Grottes caves is distributed at the entrance to the upper gallery. There are only two French screenings per day (at and). Sometimes classical music concerts are given inside the caves. After the visit, a small tram will drop you at the entrance to the lower gallery.

The higher gallery was discovered only in 1958 by Lebanese speleologists and inaugurated in 1969. A concrete access tunnel, 117 m long, allows the visitor to discover, with surprise, a fantastic landscape: monumental vaults, piliers pillars, stalactites, skid of all sizes, fungi, drapery and diverses concretions. This upper part has a total length of 2 130 m, only 750 m of which is accessible to visitors on foot through a specially designed footbridge. The gallery is enlightened. The accessible part of the visitors is made up of three large rooms, some of which are more than 100 m high.

The lower gallery was discovered by chance in 1836 and opened to the public in 1958. This discovery is attributed to the Reverend William Thomson (an American missionary) who loves up to 50 m in a hunting game. During two expeditions in 1873 and 1874, American explorers entered up to 1 060 m. This gallery is traversed by an underground river which is the main source of Nahr el-Kelb providing drinking Water in Beirut. This cave has a total length of 7 800 m and is located 30 m below the top gallery. The river is divided into several small cataracts and rapids. Visitors are transported in small electric whale over a distance of 400 m. In winter, this gallery is closed because the water level is too high.

6 km north of the ski slopes of Laqlouq, take the left to Tannourine. After 3 km, a turn on the left is particularly tight. You can continue on foot (5-10 minutes). There is an impressive chasm of 240 m called also Houet Baakara (or the chasm of the three bridges). Just go down several hundred meters to discover this geological curiosity. During the melting of snow, a waterfall burst over 90 metres. To believe the people in the corner, the Ottoman soldiers were reportedly thrown into the early th century. When the chasm draws down, the show is striking. However, the site is not at all secure. Further, there are two other chasms, including that of Jouret Abed. It is also possible to visit these sites with hiking associations. The region is known to be a picnic area and a family destination in summer.

" Les Cèdres is the most famous natural monuments of the universe. " Alphonse de Lamartine, trip to the East. At 1 920 m above sea level, a little wood of cedar (national emblem) - the most beautiful tree measuring 35 m high and 14 m of circumference - miraculously survived the massive deforestation of the Lebanese mountain. Three hundred trees, of which twelve millennia, are concentrated on a small surface.

Coveted from antiquity for its imputrescibilité, cedar wood was used in the shipyards and the building of the temples. In addition, cedar oil was an essential element of the mummification process. From the third millennium, ships, loaded with this precious wood, sailed to Egypt. In the Second millennium, the Assyrians, and then many other conquerors, will also exploit the forest of cedars. In the face of the significant deforestation of the Lebanese mountain, it seems that the cup was regulated in Roman times by Emperor Hadrian. But in the fall of the empire, the cedars continued to disappear slowly leaving square to an arid and mineral landscape.

The last millennia of millénaires have for years been subjected to the damage of visitors to burn their names in the bark. At present, these venerable trees with majestic frieze are protected and the government has undertaken a reforestation program. The forest of cedars can be visited every day. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

In the middle of this forest, a small chapel was erected in 1843 under the aegis of the Maronite Patriarchate. Every year, the Feast of the Transfiguration (Id ar-Rabb or the Lord's Party) is celebrated on 6 August. The chapel then becomes a pilgrimage place.

On foot or by car, you'll soon realize that to get to Raouché, it's uphill! But the result is well worth the effort... This district has acquired its reputation thanks to the vicinity of the famous Pigeon Cave, islands of limestone shaped by erosion. This rock, which appears on the majority of tourist photos of Beirut, rises to 46 m in height. Local legend has it that Raouché's ratchet is the sea monster that chased Andromeda, transformed into stone by Perseus thanks to the head of Medusa. It is one of the main natural attractions of the city. A natural staircase on the rock leads to the top.

From the ledge, there is a remarkable view of the site.

Below the Pigeon Cave, it is possible to go down to the seafront and get a beautiful view of the site. You can also see a small port that still has a few fishermen. This port was affected by an oil spill following the July 2006 war and the bombing of the Jiyé power station. To the south of the pigeon cave is the cape of El Delie, one of the few areas of the Corniche that has escaped urbanisation. Much appreciated by the Beirut people who come to swim there, El Delie is today threatened by real estate projects; a citizen's collective has been set up to save it.

A few meters after the Pigeon Cave, the Shams building, with its multicolored facade, symbolizes the Raouché of the 1950s. It was designed by the architect Joseph Philippe Karam.

Beyond the village of Tannourine al-Faqwa, you can reach the magnificent cédraie, classified since 1999, nature reserve. Surrounded by mountains, this forest of several hectares ranges from 1 250 to 1 870 metres. Over 400 000 trees were recorded there. Hikers can easily access the trails along the trails while respecting nature. It is forbidden to make a fire, to picnic and to hunt. The wildlife is rich. Some observers found hyenas, foxes, wild boar and a wolf. They are so rare that these animals are not a danger to pedestrians. Four hiking trails, more or less long, are proposed.

Open to the public in 1997, the Shuf cedar reserve covers 5% km ² of the area of Lebanon. This reserve occupies almost all the peaks of the mountain of the Aïn de Ain Zhalta in Jazzin. Only 550 ha of this surface are forested. At an altitude of 900 to 1 950 m, the reserve is characterized by its biodiversity (24 genera of trees and over 524 plants and flowers). It also houses some animal species such as mountain gazelles, wolves, hyenas, lynx.

Opened in August 2003 and located 500 m south of Byblos, Eddé Sands is undoubtedly Lebanon's largest private beach. With an area of 100 000 square metres, the complex, open all year round, consists of six swimming pools, ten bars and restaurants, a long beach of 220 meters, a spa… What to welcome about 3 000 people on summer weekends. Eddé Sands offers a splendid panorama of the old town of Byblos. Despite the world, the frame is ideal for a pleasant day. The complex organizes activities for children throughout the year and restaurants offer varied cuisine. In summer, evenings with local and international Djs take place on the beach and around the swimming pools.

At the exit of the Sea Castle after the fish souk, it is possible to take a 15 min walk in Saida Bay by boat. We need to negotiate and do not hesitate to impose its price because the operators will try to get you. You will see the island of Sbeika, which is 540 m long, located about 700 m from the coast. It was once a berth for ships but also for extraction of «Ramleh». The island also has a sea wall (a breakwater) as in Batroun and 31 mooring cocks that attest to a port function.

Behind the racecourse and the National Museum, surrounded by a large wall, stands the pine forest, planted by Amir Fakhreddine. The "dream pine forest", described by Lamartine during his trip to the East, is now trying to survive as best it can in the midst of dust and pollution. A joint programme led by the Ile-de-France region and the city of Beirut made it possible to redevelop it in 1995. Long reserved for Westerners and people with a permit, the pine forest is at the heart of a legal imbroglio as only Lebanon is capable of creating. After a struggle of several years, a group of inhabitants had succeeded in opening the park to all in 2016. The end of an absurd discrimination, but above all an important victory for the health of Beirut's inhabitants: the number of green spaces in Beirut is limited to a ratio of 0.8 square meters per inhabitant (when the WHO recommends 9...). And then in 2017, the municipality decides to close the pine wood again: a parasite would attack the trees and the authorities fear a contagion. If the epidemic was real, this decision could have hidden real estate embezzlement: building permits were given in protected areas of the park. This rekindled the anger of the inhabitants, who regularly organized sit-ins and demonstrations to safeguard the green lung of the Lebanese capital. The trees have since been treated, and the park is finally open to the public. Perfect for a stroll in the footsteps of Lamartine.

Slightly above the city - 3 km from the centre of Ehden - the beautiful forest of Horsh Ehden (17 km ²) has become a natural reserve.

Botanists have identified very rare tree varieties and over 1 000 species of plants. The site also houses several mammals: wolves, wild cats, hyenas, porcs, weasel, badgers, hares and hedgehogs. Beyrouthins hiking clubs organise days of discovery and walks.

200 m south-east of Deir Mar Maroun (the monastery of Saint-Maron) has emerged three sources (Dafache, Ain Zarka and Lahoue), including the «blue source» of the Orontes (Nahr el-Assi), also known as the «toppled river» or the «rebel river» because it flows from south to north.

This biblical landscape, in which the greenery contrasts with the kilometres of desert that stretches just a few feet away, invites to meditate and rest.

By taking from the Acropolis, the main street crossing the city centre and continuing it over 1 km towards the restaurant district, you will reach the source of Ras el-Ain, a pleasant haven of freshness from many canals feeding the city and the gardens. There are still vestiges of a nymphée and a small Roman sanctuary. We also note the remains of a mosque dating back to 1277.

Further along the Corniche, after passing the Movempick Hotel, you can see in the distance the only real public beach in Beirut. This sandy beach is 1 km long. Although the beach is relatively well maintained and there is little plastic waste, swimming is not recommended. Ramlet el-Baida remains therefore a pleasant and friendly place where families come in large numbers to stroll. At the end of the afternoon, the young people of the district start playing football or volleyball.

In the direction of Manara, the cornice runs along the campus of the American University of Beirut, then the International College School, before arriving at the Riviera Hotel. After the Manara area with its new lighthouse, the cornice is less attractive. One follows the private beaches of the Military Bath, Long Beach and Sporting. Created in the 1930s and 1950s, these addresses are very well known, but also old. Not very welcoming, old-fashioned and with rudimentary service, some of them deserve a facelift! Founded in 1955, Le Sporting is very vintage. Manara has one of the most picturesque cafés in the city, Café Raouda. The new lighthouse adjoining the Military Bath beach has replaced the old lighthouse that can be seen between two buildings on the hill overlooking the area.

In order to guide the increasing number of boats coming to Beirut, Daoud Pasha (the first mustassarif appointed in Lebanon during the Ottoman occupation) had decided, in 1863, to entrust the construction of the lighthouse to French engineers. This old lighthouse was extinguished from 1977 to 1994, then the construction of a building below it in the early 2000s was fatal to it. Unable to light it properly, it was closed and a new lighthouse was built. At the foot of this lighthouse, one can admire the "pink house", a splendid Lebanese house. Built in 1882, it dominates the area of Ras Beirut. Although classified, the house occupies a remarkable site that attracts the attention of real estate developers.

Lovers of nature and birds, a passage to Ebel es-Sifni is required. This small village, located between Khiam and Marjeyoun, has become one of the main sanctuaries for migratory birds that will take a break before continuing their journey. Its importance would be global, as many threatened species were found there. The imperial eagle, but also pelicans, teal, harrier and even hawks can be observed.

Ebel es-Sifni has a wooded area and a wetland of the Hasbani River. Destroyed at 80% during the Israeli invasion of 1978 and rebuilt since with the assistance of Norwegian troops from UNIFIL, the wood of Ebel es-Sifni has an area of 38 ha. By a municipal decision, hunting is prohibited.

As in Barouk, it is possible to access the natural reserve of the cedars Du which lies on the heights of Maasser ech Shuf. This reserve houses 32 species of wild mammals, 200 species of birds, and 500 species of plants. It would have 26% of the remaining cedars in Lebanon. The Site ech Shuf site is the smallest reserve forest (approximately 6 ha). In comparison, the Barouk forest covers 400 ha and Ain Zalta over 100 ha. Several work has been done in the development of pedestrian trails. You can take a leisurely stroll along the marked paths.

It is said that it was young people from the village who discovered it in 1974 during a football game after losing their balloon between rocks. True or not, this story lends to smile. The cave of Kfar Him is decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. However, it is small and does not have the splendour of Jeita. Limited interest.

7 km south of Qab Elias in the direction of Lake Qaraoun, the Marécages wetlands occupy 280 hectares. The Ammiq region is a humid area classified by the Ramsar Convention (which aims to prevent the degradation of wetlands around the world). This private area is one of the largest swamps in the Bekaa and is on one of the bird migration routes in the Middle East. In total, more than 250 species of birds were registered in the sector. Some are threatened, such as pelicans, glaréoles, cranes, storks and snipe. In addition to its large variety of birds, a wide variety of animals live in and around the marsh. 23 mammal species were registered: wild cats, otters, reptiles and frogs. An observation zone has been set up. In addition, some tour associations and tour operators organise visits.

After the Cedars of Shuf and Mount Rayhan, Jabal Moussa is the third biosphere reserve classified by UNESCO in Lebanon since 2009. Situated 45 km from Beirut and overlooking the valley of Adonis, Jabal Moussa offers a peaceful and karst landscape with a wide variety of fauna and flora: more than 550 plant species including endemic plants in Lebanon, 14 mammal species (wolves, hyenas, damans of wild rocks, foxes and wild boars) and over 83 species of birds. The forest covers 1 250 hectares and ranges from 350 to 1 574 m above sea level. The site also retains Roman and Byzantine historical remains. The framework is ideal for hikers: the association for the protection of Jabal Moussa organizes several walks per week. Change is guaranteed.

Located at an altitude of 1 400 to 2 250 m, the Qammouha forest (50 ha) which begins at the level of the village of Fnaideq offers a remarkable landscape. There are 42 species of trees including juniper, cedar and Cilicia fir, 1 600 plant species and flowers, a rich and diverse fauna. Qammouha is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Lebanon. Lost at the "end of the world" in the Akkar, the region is filled with small torrents, pines, trails and retains some historical remains. Ideal location for hiking.