Attractions in Cedars & Mountains
Ancient trees, holy valleys, and snowy peaks ๐ฒ๐๏ธ
Showing 18 attractions · Sorted by importance
Cedars of God (Arz ar-Rab)
📍 Bcharre
๐ Town / VillageA UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the last remaining ancient cedar trees that once covered Mount Lebanon, offering scenic walking trails for all ages.
Gibran Museum
📍 Bcharre
๐ผ Art GalleryHoused in a historic cliffside monastery, this museum displays the largest collection of paintings and sketches by the renowned poet and artist Kahlil Gibran, offering an inspiring experience for all ages.
Lebanon Mountain Trail - Section 7 (Qannoubine to Bcharre)
📍 Bcharre
๐ฅพ Hiking & Cycling13.5km moderate trail, typical duration 6 hours, 750m elevation gain. This section of the national trail traverses the rim and floor of the Holy Valley, passing the Monastery of Qannoubine and the Chapel of St. Marina. Guiding and equipment info: Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (lebanontrail.org).
Monastery of Saint Anthony of Qozhaya
📍 Arbet Qozhaya
๐ฐ CastleOne of the oldest monasteries in the Holy Valley, famous for its 16th-century printing press and spectacular mountain scenery.
Qadisha Valley (Holy Valley)
📍 Bcharre
๐ Town / VillageA deep, majestic gorge and UNESCO site dotted with ancient monasteries and hermitages carved directly into the limestone cliffs.
The Cedars Ski Resort
📍 Bcharre
โท Ski Resort2,095-2,870m elevation, 12 runs, 20km pistes, Dec-Apr season. Features the highest skiing point in Lebanon and proximity to the UNESCO-listed Cedars of God forest.
Qadisha Valley Monasteries Trail
📍 Hawqa
๐ฅพ Hiking & Cycling12km moderate hike, typical duration 5 hours, 500m elevation gain. A historic route connecting the rock-cut monasteries of Deir Qannoubine, Deir Mar Elisha, and Saydet Hawqa within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Access is via steep stone stairs and dirt paths.
Qadisha Valley Scenic Rim Road
📍 Bcharre
๐ Road Trip30km paved loop route (1.5-2 hours) circling the rim of the UNESCO-listed Holy Valley. Features dramatic limestone cliffs, ancient monasteries clinging to rock faces, and panoramic viewpoints of the deep gorge and the village of Bcharre.
Qornet es-Sawda Peak Trail
📍 Bcharre
๐ฅพ Hiking & Cycling22km challenging round-trip trek, typical duration 8 hours, 1100m elevation gain. This route leads to the highest point in Lebanon and the Levant (3,088m). The path follows rugged limestone ridges with views extending to the Mediterranean coast and the Bekaa Valley.
Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve
📍 Ehden
๐ฒ NatureA high-altitude national nature reserve housing a diverse ecosystem of cedars, firs, and rare wildflowers with well-marked trails for family exploration.
Monastery of Our Lady of Qannoubine
📍 Bcharre
๐ LandmarkA historic monastery nestled deep in the valley that served as the seat of the Maronite Patriarchs for over 400 years.
Qurnat as Sawda
📍 Bcharre
๐ Scenic ViewThe highest mountain peak in the Levant, providing adventurous families with panoramic views over the entire Lebanese range and the Mediterranean.
The Ainata-Cedars High Mountain Pass
📍 Bcharre
๐ Road Trip30km paved high-altitude pass (1 hour) reaching 2,593 meters, making it the highest road in Lebanon. Known for seasonal snow walls often remaining until June, it offers hair-pin turns and vast views connecting the Bcharre district to the Bekaa Valley.
Cedars International Festival
📍 Bcharre
๐ญ EventJuly-August, 2-4 day music and arts festival celebrating Lebanese and international culture, features world-class musicians, attracts over 10,000 people per event, family-friendly seating and large-scale light projections on the mountain landscape.
Monastery of Saint Elisha
📍 Bcharre
๐ฐ CastleAn ancient Maronite monastery carved into a cliff face, serving as a peaceful site for spiritual and historical exploration.
Patriarchal Palace of Dimane
📍 Dimane
๐ฐ CastleThe majestic summer residence of the Maronite Patriarch, featuring beautiful gardens and panoramic views of the Qadisha Valley.
The Cedars to Ouyoun Orghosh Cycling Route
📍 Bcharre
๐ฅพ Hiking & Cycling35km challenging gravel and asphalt route, typical duration 4 hours, 900m elevation gain. An epic high-altitude ride crossing the mountain pass from the Bcharre district toward the eastern slopes. Bike rental: Bike Lebanon (bikelebanon.com).
