Track 126: Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve - The Big Loop
near El Mchété, Mont-Liban (Libanon)
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Trail photos
Itinerary description
I always wanted to do the big loop in Jabal Moussa.
I was a bit late. They have changed to the winter timing. So sunset is earlier, days are shorter and we didn't start the hike till 9h15.
We were sure it will be dark before reaching back to our cars.
You can do the loop from several places but we decided to start from Mchati village.
You will meet the forest ranger there, pay the entrance fees (it is 80 000 LBP for now) and he showed us the way and trails to follow:
We will have to follow Track 04, a part of Track 02, then take Track 01, Track 15, a part of Track 14, Track 10, Track 08, track 07 and a part of Track 06 to reach back the starting point.
You start the hike directly uphill on Track 04 "The Roman Stairs" (El Daraj El Roumani).
After 1.9 km from starting point we reached Baydar El Chawk Entrance. From there you follow Track 02 "Qornet El Mzar Trail" (Masar Qornet El Mzar) for around 500 m, also going uphill and after that you take your right to join Track 01 "Peony Trail" (Masar Kaf El Debb). At that level you will reach the highest point of your hike (1519 m from sea level). It wasn't an easy ascent with an altitude difference of approximately 500 m.
Once on Track 01, the hike is a bit easier and you will start descending slowly.
The forest is amazing. Lot of signs and information about the Fauna and Flora in the area. The oak leaves are turning yellow giving the place a particular charm.
After 5.4 km you will take your left and follow Track 14 "Adonis Gorge" (Sa7oub Adonis) also going downhill with amazing scenery over The Valley of Naher Ibrahim.
You stay on Track 14 for 1.3 km and just above Abra Village you take your left and follow Track 10 "El Jalseh Trail" (Masar El Jalseh) (You can stay on Track 14 till Track 13 and than Chouwen Lake).
At 11 km from starting point we passed by Mar Jeryes Church and from there you have 2 choices:
1- Take Track 09 and then Track 06 and close the loop earlier
2- Take Track 08, Track 07 and then 06 and do the big loop
It was around sunset and it will be dark very soon but we decided to stick to the original plan.
Track 08 known as "Shepherds Encounter" (Malka El Re3yen) is around 2.5 km till Naher El Dahab, our lowest point in the hike (819 m above sea level)
Then we took Track 07 "Cerris Trail" (Masar El 3ezer) in the middle of mostly Oak trees (Chajar El 3ezer). It is a 500 m uphill in around 3 km.
Then we went a steep downhill on Track 06 "Hadrian's Incline" (Mon7adar Hadrianos) reaching back Mchati Village, passing by Mar Elias Church till we arrived to the car.
I did longer hikes but the difficulty in this one is that you rarely walk straight. It is always going uphill or downhill. Better to have some good walking shoes and couple of walking sticks. The pressure on your ankles and knees is enormous especially on the descent.
Mostly easy to follow trails and I would say it is a difficult hike.
Keep it clean and stay on the track.
Enjoy !!!
I was a bit late. They have changed to the winter timing. So sunset is earlier, days are shorter and we didn't start the hike till 9h15.
We were sure it will be dark before reaching back to our cars.
You can do the loop from several places but we decided to start from Mchati village.
You will meet the forest ranger there, pay the entrance fees (it is 80 000 LBP for now) and he showed us the way and trails to follow:
We will have to follow Track 04, a part of Track 02, then take Track 01, Track 15, a part of Track 14, Track 10, Track 08, track 07 and a part of Track 06 to reach back the starting point.
You start the hike directly uphill on Track 04 "The Roman Stairs" (El Daraj El Roumani).
After 1.9 km from starting point we reached Baydar El Chawk Entrance. From there you follow Track 02 "Qornet El Mzar Trail" (Masar Qornet El Mzar) for around 500 m, also going uphill and after that you take your right to join Track 01 "Peony Trail" (Masar Kaf El Debb). At that level you will reach the highest point of your hike (1519 m from sea level). It wasn't an easy ascent with an altitude difference of approximately 500 m.
Once on Track 01, the hike is a bit easier and you will start descending slowly.
The forest is amazing. Lot of signs and information about the Fauna and Flora in the area. The oak leaves are turning yellow giving the place a particular charm.
After 5.4 km you will take your left and follow Track 14 "Adonis Gorge" (Sa7oub Adonis) also going downhill with amazing scenery over The Valley of Naher Ibrahim.
You stay on Track 14 for 1.3 km and just above Abra Village you take your left and follow Track 10 "El Jalseh Trail" (Masar El Jalseh) (You can stay on Track 14 till Track 13 and than Chouwen Lake).
At 11 km from starting point we passed by Mar Jeryes Church and from there you have 2 choices:
1- Take Track 09 and then Track 06 and close the loop earlier
2- Take Track 08, Track 07 and then 06 and do the big loop
It was around sunset and it will be dark very soon but we decided to stick to the original plan.
Track 08 known as "Shepherds Encounter" (Malka El Re3yen) is around 2.5 km till Naher El Dahab, our lowest point in the hike (819 m above sea level)
Then we took Track 07 "Cerris Trail" (Masar El 3ezer) in the middle of mostly Oak trees (Chajar El 3ezer). It is a 500 m uphill in around 3 km.
Then we went a steep downhill on Track 06 "Hadrian's Incline" (Mon7adar Hadrianos) reaching back Mchati Village, passing by Mar Elias Church till we arrived to the car.
I did longer hikes but the difficulty in this one is that you rarely walk straight. It is always going uphill or downhill. Better to have some good walking shoes and couple of walking sticks. The pressure on your ankles and knees is enormous especially on the descent.
Mostly easy to follow trails and I would say it is a difficult hike.
Keep it clean and stay on the track.
Enjoy !!!
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