2022-10-29 Hammatoura Loop
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 14.41 mi
- Elevation gain
- 4,341 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 4,341 ft
- Max elevation
- 3,689 ft
- TrailRank
- 53
- Min elevation
- 777 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 7 hours 54 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1995
- Uploaded
- December 20, 2022
- Recorded
- October 2022
near Râs Kîfa, Liban-Nord (Libanon)
Viewed 97 times, downloaded 1 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The trail is a challenging trail as a loop (could be done one way from St. Simeon monastery to the monastery of Hammatoura). the difficulty of the trail is a small price you pay for the views along the way.
This trail has some pavement sections in the beginning where you pass through the Ras-Kifa and Karm Sadde villages but mostly is cow-path and dirt roads.
Scenry-wise, you come across beautiful landscape, abandoned convents, and little churches that add charm to this trail.
Waypoints
Waypoint
783 ft
Molasses Factory
Lebanon's small molasses factory, like this one, also serves as a brewery to make wine and Arak (local Lebanese alcoholic drink) for the owners.
Intersection
1,257 ft
Go Right
Intersection
1,340 ft
Go Right
This is where the pavement starts leading to the village of Ras Kifa
Intersection
1,389 ft
Go Right
End of pavement
Panorama
1,382 ft
The Balcony
A flat ridge with railing that gives you an eagle-eye view of the valleys and hills surrounding Ras-Kifa; it lies above the St. Ellias shrine (a cave with St. Ellias statue). Rumor is most Ras Kifa inhabitants exchanged their first kiss on the balcony.
Religious site
1,280 ft
St. Ellias Cave and Shrine
A cave located on the shoulder of a cliff, accessible by a narrow cow-path became the home of St. Ellias statue.
Intersection
1,470 ft
Go Right
Back to walking on pavement on the way to leave Ras Kifa.
Intersection
1,578 ft
Go Left
Leaving the village of Ras Kifa; we climbed on stairs and through balconies of some homes. Only in Lebanon you could do this without the fear of you being shot for trespassing - usually owners, if around, invite you in!!
Pavement ends
1,598 ft
End Of Pavement
Leaving Ras Kifa
Waypoint
1,750 ft
Little House On The Prairie
I love this house; in the middle of nowhere but well-kept by its owners.
Religious site
2,287 ft
Abandoned Convent
Beautiful structure still in great condition (no fallen roof, no collapsed walls). it is surrounded by pine and oak trees with a picnic area (my guess) set by locals (Karm Sadde inhabitants??). we had a tea break here.
Intersection
2,071 ft
Go Left
Intersection
1,932 ft
Go Right
Pavement ends
2,339 ft
Leaving Karm Sadde
Pavement ended and the start of a challenging uphill climb started; this is the most challenging section of the trail.
Intersection
3,345 ft
Go Right
Intersection
3,413 ft
Go Right
Religious site
3,625 ft
St. Simeon Monastery
It is also the place where St. Rafka used to live. A mega well-kept structure inhabited by friendly nuns who tend the land and live off it.
Religious site
3,612 ft
St. Rafka Residence
St. Rafka lived in this wing of St. Simeon from 1871-1898
Intersection
2,553 ft
Go Left
Castle
2,519 ft
The House
I call it The House for the sole reason that it is still in the process of being built for the last 9+ years. and it is huge so I used the castle icon for it.
Intersection
2,099 ft
Go Left
Intersection
1,784 ft
Go Left
Religious site
1,566 ft
Hammatoura Monestry
This monastery is built on the side of the cliff (a very steep one). This monastery was abandoned until 1990 where some Orthodox monks brought it back to life. The built a winding road to be accessible by visitors and is still a work-in-progress. I do encourage you to visit.
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