DECEMBER 2025
Sunday 07.12
Hiking WADI al-QRÂQÎR (Zawiyeh)
Bus only. Departure from Hikmeh (Sagesse) at 8am.
Road, via Chekka & Iaâl, to starting point in “Morh Kfarsghâb”, 90km from Beirut … Short stop on the way.
“Morh” is a small village, winter residence for “Kfarsghâb”, its twin mountain sister. Hike starts at “Mar Youssef” church, 300m.
Passing old peasant houses, the trail enters “Qrâqîr” wooded gorge to isolated “Mâr Challita” chapel and to Hmeiss village, 750m.
An agreeable local road in the gorge crosses the stream, at 850m, to a thrilling footpath viewing the ”Chalqa” 80m-high waterfall.
Thru forest, the trail continues to “Martmoura” meadow chapel, the “red cliff” breathtaking views, to end at “Mesmekh”, 800m.
Highlights: “Qrâqîr gorge”, view of the “Chalqa”, “Rechtaamoût meadow”, overview of Qrâqîr from the “red cliff”.
Level 6: Morh to Mesmekh ………………… Duration: 6h …… Length: 13km …… Altitudes: 300-850-650-800m.
Return to Beirut, 90km via Chekka.
Sunday 14.12
Hiking ADONIS RIVER (Jbayl)
Bus only. Departure from Hikmeh (Sagesse) at 8am.
Road, via Nar Brahîm, to starting point at “Machnaqa temple”, 45km from Beirut … Short stop on the way.
“Adonis river” is a mythical river. It starts at Afqa grotto, a Natural site of breathtaking beauty and love nest to Adonis & Astarte.
“Nahr Brahîm” in Arabic, it cuts its way thru an impressive deep gorge to the sea and has a unique feature that distinguishes it..
Indeed, it entirely disappears underground for a while before it emerges again, bringing to mind Adonis’ death and rebirth.
The proposed itinerary discovers part of the valley, in particular the “disappearing” place, locally known as the”smoking hole”.
The day starts with a visit of the Machnaqa site; Roman temlpe, steles, sarcophagi and the plunging view over the valley.
The hike proper follows. From the site, 1100m, the trail joins the village of Ain Jrayn, 900m, for the pipe bringing water from Afqa.
A beautiful panoramic trail, all in pinewood, thus crosses the right flank of the gorge to a natural bridge at the “smoking hole”.
It passes the village of Frât, its clear fountain, a rock-cut Phonician alter then the 80m fall of the disappearing river.
From the left bank, the trail continues upriver to end at Qorqraya village.
Highlights: Machnaqa, Frât, the smoking hole and the entire trail.
Level 5: Machnaqa to Qorqraya ………… Duration: 5h …… Length: 10km …………… Altitudes: 1100-500-800m, with ups & downs.
Return to Beirut, 60km via Janneh, Frât and Nahr Brahîm.
Sunday 21.12
Mixed Tour: Visits & Hiking
The hike, being relatively short and easy, is here combined with cultural visits on the way.
Bus only. Departure from Hikmeh (Sagesse) at 8am.
Road, via Batroun, to starting point at “Jisr al-Habchiyeh”, 75km from Beirut … On the way,
. The usual stop for toilets and optional breakfast. It will be in Batroun.
. Visit Nabu nuseum, in Heri. Duration 40’.
. Visit Râs Nhâch watch tower. Duration 30’.
THE HIKING DÂR BEACHTÂR or THE PORCUPINE PASS (Koura).
The “Porcupine pass”, “Maaboûr al-Inifdeh” in Arabic, is a narrow cliff passage in Dâr Beachtâr (Koura district).
It was chosen as the hike title because of a personal anecdote that lies behind. See below.
The trail starts at “Habchiyeh bridge” on Nahr al-Asfoûr, alt.100m, a small tiver dividing the Koura in two.
Thu green fields and water springs, it climbs up to Dâr Chmezzine village then, via Temm al-Akhdar, down to the river.
Up again, it passes “Mâr Elias”, a local pilgrimage within a wide open grotto, to the stairs leading to Dâr Beachtâr.
The village name obviously refers to the goddess Ishtâr and the pligrimage is likely linked to an ancient ritual.
Highlights: The Asfoûr river, Chaghnouna water spring, the “Porcupine pass” and “Mâr Elias” cave.
Level 4: Habchiyeh bridge to Dâr Beachtâr …… Duration: 4h …… Length: 8km …… Altitudes: 100-400-250-400m.
Return to Beirut, 75km via Chekka.
THE STORY
For a better comprehension, two points must be noted,
. Michel (M), founder of LibanTrek, was born with hands handicap. Otherwise, he looks normal and healthy.
. The “porcupine pass” is known to few locals or hunters, certainly not to an ordinary person, let alone by its name.
Years ago, during a real estate transaction, the broker (B), having finished his paper work, addressed M,
– B, apologizing: There’s still the notary. His office is at a 1st floor but I can bring you all documents down to sign.
– M: Did you say 1st floor? Well, I think I can manage it.
And so he did before returning to the broker’s office to finalize the deal. The following conversation ensued,
– M: May I ask you, which village do you come from?
– B: Dâr Beachtâr.
– M: Do you know “Maaboûr al-Inifdeh”?
Flabbergasted, B turned first to his son, standing next to him, who had no idea of what it was, then,
– B: How do you know this place?
– M: Let me answer you by a question. Does one walk on his feet or on his hands?
It took him few moments to make the link with the “1st floor”.
Sunday 28.12
Hiking GHAZÎR (Ftoûh)
Bus only. Departure from Hikmeh (Sagesse) at 8am.
Road, via Maameltein, 25km from Beirut … No stop on the way; a restaurant lunch replaces the picnic.
“Ghazîr” can be considered as a coastal town, being at an altitude as low as 200m. New hiking trails have recently been traced.
We propose to discover them, via the famous “Lamartine” valley, linking the village to its neighbor, Jdaydeh, and to Ghîneh beyond.
Highlights: Lamartine valley, the Ottoman way to Ghîneh, sites in Ghîneh (Adonis rock, forests, …).
After the hike,
. Restaurant “Abou-Tony” in Kfoûr, famous for its delicious chicken sandwiches, since the 70’s in a container.
. Wine tasting at “Château Musar”, in Ghîneh.
Return to Beirut.
SNOWSHOEING TREKS 2026
Like a raptor on the lookout for its prey, we will be waiting for the snow to announce our snowshoing week-ends.
Four overnight trips will hopefully be possible in January-February, the choice depending on how low is the snow.
. Akkâr forests & Qammoua
. Ehmej forests & Laqlouq
. Tannourîne Reserve & its jord
. The Cedars circus
. The Shouf Reserve
PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THIS AND GET YOURSELF READY FOR THE ADVENTURE.
