Hsârât - Mar Youhanna cave/hermitage - St. Rafqa - Saydet El Bzez

This is a traditional hike that the youth of Saqiet Al Khait and Hsarat, two neighbor villages, make on routinely basis, during which each time we visit different religious and other sightseeing monuments. This time we combined the top three main religious sites. Better not to go alone and better not to do it very early in the morning or in late afternoon, bcz there r wild animals like hyenas and pigs in the valley.
Before reaching these sites, we cross in an exquisite area in the river of Sghar, which is silent nowadays. A dramatic, amazing path of approximately 2kms between rocks carved in weird ways by the flow of water probably thousands of years ago. Sceneries like no other. In this section, even though the GPS is inaccurate, your path is strictly in the river, where ur direction is obvious. There are some spots that are hard to cross / jump. Over time, we found our way to cross them either by merging slightly outside the river or jumping cautiously. There are three main hard parts, the first two we jump carefully BUT be careful at my waypoint named “DONT JUMP” you have to venture slightly up to ur right and then slide down between rocks to be able to cross this section as its high and not safe to jump.
Then our first stop is at Mar Youhanna Maroun: who was the first Maronite patriarch and founder of the patriarchal Maronite church. He dwelt in this cave-Hermitage at the end of the 7th century. (The road leading from Wadi Harba to the cave is filled with prickly bushes and not very clear) expect some challenges, pants and long sleeves are a must unless u dont mind having injuries as good souvenir from ur adventure.
Then Sainte Rafqa, 3laya el salem.
Finally, Saydet El Bzez: Referring to “Our Lady of Happy Delivery and Plentiful Milk” aka. “Our Lady of La Leche: On the Radical and Holy Act of Breastfeeding” . Breasts r considered holy and sacramental objects. Believers come and pray in this place hoping for god to give them babies and mothers to be able to happily breastfeed their child after birth. Incredible place that used to he a monastery back in the days.