Shouf Biosphere reserve (Jbaa entrance)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 7.02 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,844 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 2,844 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,068 ft
- TrailRank
-
80
5
- Min elevation
- 4,169 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 3 hours 40 minutes
- Time
- 6 hours 19 minutes
- Coordinates
- 2013
- Uploaded
- December 27, 2020
- Recorded
- December 2020
near Jbâa ech Choûf, Mont-Liban (Lebanon)
Viewed 3346 times, downloaded 83 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, accounting for a quarter of the remaining cedar forest in Lebanon, was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in July 2005. This reserve covers approximately 5% of the total area of Lebanon. Some trees are estimated to be 2,000 years old. In addition to the main 3 entrances (Ain Zhalta, Barouk and Maasser), there are other less-known entrances (Mresti, Jbaa and Niha).
Our hike started from the relatively new Jbaa entrance (2019). Starting with fresh water from "Ain el Chaachouaa" near the entrance. Soon after the start, we reached a dirt car road that goes up slowly but steadily. Prepare for around 500 m of continuous ascent. After 1.5 km, we left the dirt road and took a beautiful footpath offering amazing views of Niha. When you reach again a dirt road, know that most of the ascent is done and you will soon deserve the most amazing views of Qaraoun lake and Mount Hermon. After crossing a plateau, go right and you will find a viewpoint where you can enjoy the view of majestic Mount Hermon. Follow the valley down then go north at some point. Prepare for another off-trail 300 m ascent before reaching the highest point in Jbaa highlands where you will find an army geodesic point (8FCH, around 1850 m). From this point continue north to reach the dirt road leading you to another amazing viewpoint. After a lunch break in the area, we went back down to our starting point following a beautiful forest trail. If you are on time, a beautiful sunset will be your perfect reward. Keep hiking, keep it clean and stay safe :)
Our hike started from the relatively new Jbaa entrance (2019). Starting with fresh water from "Ain el Chaachouaa" near the entrance. Soon after the start, we reached a dirt car road that goes up slowly but steadily. Prepare for around 500 m of continuous ascent. After 1.5 km, we left the dirt road and took a beautiful footpath offering amazing views of Niha. When you reach again a dirt road, know that most of the ascent is done and you will soon deserve the most amazing views of Qaraoun lake and Mount Hermon. After crossing a plateau, go right and you will find a viewpoint where you can enjoy the view of majestic Mount Hermon. Follow the valley down then go north at some point. Prepare for another off-trail 300 m ascent before reaching the highest point in Jbaa highlands where you will find an army geodesic point (8FCH, around 1850 m). From this point continue north to reach the dirt road leading you to another amazing viewpoint. After a lunch break in the area, we went back down to our starting point following a beautiful forest trail. If you are on time, a beautiful sunset will be your perfect reward. Keep hiking, keep it clean and stay safe :)
Waypoints
Waypoint
4,236 ft
Panorama
Intersection
Lake
Summit
Tree
Fountain
Comments (15)
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Amazing Coverage as always! Pleasure doing this hike with you ..
Cheers,
Thank you John! Looking forward for more hikes together 😎
Hey Rami - sounds like an awesome trail. Hope you can take us there on our next trip to Lebanon!
@ rana: lot of trails are waiting for you :)
Thank you for all the info will try it on the beginning of 2021 happy new year 🎈
@mitri.nada You will like this trail. Happy new year 🥳
Easy to follow and great as usual!!
@wadih I'm glad you liked it! Happy new year
Thanks Rami. Happy to year to you too.
You're welcome dear rami hope to see you again 🙏 manwel batlouni (coordinator entrance of jbaa) best regards
Thank you Manwel! Ya3tik l 3afyeh! Will come again soon hopefully 🙏
Bonjour, y a t’il un ou des restaurants au point de départ de votre trajet ? Ou sur le parcours ? Merci
Bonjour Cedric. Il y a juste le kiosque de la reserve au point de depart. Pas de restaurants sur le trajet. Mais il y a des petits resto tout près dans le village de Jbaa (avant ou après la rando).
Ok, merci beaucoup
Can I count on the application to follow the track or I'll get lost on the way?