Hiking in Qadisha Valley

Begin an amazing hike where the two ancient valleys of Qadisha and Qozhaya meet, from the starting point of Mazraat an-Nahr, which is 90 kilometers away from Beirut. Qadisha, also dubbed the Holy Valley and listed as a world cultural heritage site by Unesco, will fascinate you with its vast number of monasteries, churches and historic hermitages. The hike will take you through the Haddad Cedar Forest and an area known as the Patriarchate of Dimane, full of different points of interest and attractions. This 18-kilometer hike on decent hiking paths is better suited to skilled hikers as it climbs 1,200 meters and takes 7 hours (or just 5 hours if you skip Dimane). You get to spend the night in Qannoubine in Qadasha, at an altitude of 900 meters.

Marvel at the hermitages of Wadi Hadchit and the Patriarchate of the 15th century. The hike is of medium difficulty and takes you over 12 kilometers while climbing 700 meters. It takes 6 hours yet can also be reduced to 4 hours.

Hike back to the point of departure, taking the route that passes by the hermitage of Haouqa and the great monastery of Qozhaya. The hike is of medium difficulty and spreads over 14 kilometers, climbing 700 meters over steep paths and lasting 6 hours.