Track 101: Ain Zhalta - Bmohray Cedar Forest
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 5.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,857 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,857 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,353 ft
- TrailRank
-
68
4.7
- Min elevation
- 4,781 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 2 hours 21 minutes
- Time
- 3 hours 53 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1503
- Uploaded
- April 16, 2022
- Recorded
- April 2022
near Bmahraï, Mont-Liban (Libanon)
Viewed 1264 times, downloaded 85 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The best hike in a Cedar Forest ever in Lebanon.
The Forest is a part of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve covering around 5% of Lebanon.
For tourists and families, the Barouk or Maaser El Shouf sides are more known but believe me, for hikers, this is the place to visit. Unfortunately it is not easy for families and kids.
You arrive at the gate and the forest ranger will give you a brief explanation about the place and the trails you can follow. The stuff are very friendly and helpful. Entrance fees are 20,000 lbp and to be honest from the way they are maintaining the trails and keeping the place clean, it is worth it.
You park your car and you directly follow the signs. It was a beautiful spring day with awesome clouds in the sky. Snow is still covering around 50% of the trails.
I didn't have my snowshoes but luckily the snow was hard enough to walk on and not slippery.
Most of the way up is inside the Cedars Forest. Beautiful scenery, the trail is amazing and the sound of the birds singing is filling the air.
When you leave the forest to reach the top view it will be on dirt roads or marked pathways.
Do the effort and reach the top, it is worth it with a view over Mount Lebanon, Beqaa Valley, Mount Sannine, Barouk, Qaraoun Lake and Mount Hermon.
The multicoloured patched of the agricultural lands in the Beqaa valley as well as the Qaraoun Lake and the snow covering Mount Hermon gives you an unforgettable view that you can't get enough of.
On your way down, you reach a lake on your left (I think they call it the black pond). You have 2 options, either continue on the dirt road or take your right and follow the newly opened trail that leads you back to the forest. This trail was made in summer 2021 and still without signs. They will put them this year.
I took the forest's trail and I am sure it was the right decision. I couldn't stop taking pictures.
On my way, I passed by a fresh water stream where another forest ranger was walking around. I spent some time with him talking about the place and he showed me great pictures he took of the wild life in the Reserve.
You will be surprised how much the area is reach in Fauna and Flora. Soon they will reintroduce the wild goats to the place.
(What I have noticed is that they leave all the dead and broken trees and branches on the floor. It will be a good attraction for the insects and like this they don't affect the healty trees. In that way, nature renews itself.
Not like how they do in the Cedars of Bsharreh. They remove all the dead branches and trees to make souvenirs of them and like this insects will be attacking normal trees because they don't have other options. Stop the overexploitation of the wood in the Cedars Forest of Bsharreh)
I didn't want this hike to end, I enjoyed every moment of it and will definitely come back.
It is a very recommended hike, moderate and very easy to follow.
Enjoy and keep it clean !!!
PLEASE, stay on the trails and respect Nature.
The Forest is a part of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve covering around 5% of Lebanon.
For tourists and families, the Barouk or Maaser El Shouf sides are more known but believe me, for hikers, this is the place to visit. Unfortunately it is not easy for families and kids.
You arrive at the gate and the forest ranger will give you a brief explanation about the place and the trails you can follow. The stuff are very friendly and helpful. Entrance fees are 20,000 lbp and to be honest from the way they are maintaining the trails and keeping the place clean, it is worth it.
You park your car and you directly follow the signs. It was a beautiful spring day with awesome clouds in the sky. Snow is still covering around 50% of the trails.
I didn't have my snowshoes but luckily the snow was hard enough to walk on and not slippery.
Most of the way up is inside the Cedars Forest. Beautiful scenery, the trail is amazing and the sound of the birds singing is filling the air.
When you leave the forest to reach the top view it will be on dirt roads or marked pathways.
Do the effort and reach the top, it is worth it with a view over Mount Lebanon, Beqaa Valley, Mount Sannine, Barouk, Qaraoun Lake and Mount Hermon.
The multicoloured patched of the agricultural lands in the Beqaa valley as well as the Qaraoun Lake and the snow covering Mount Hermon gives you an unforgettable view that you can't get enough of.
On your way down, you reach a lake on your left (I think they call it the black pond). You have 2 options, either continue on the dirt road or take your right and follow the newly opened trail that leads you back to the forest. This trail was made in summer 2021 and still without signs. They will put them this year.
I took the forest's trail and I am sure it was the right decision. I couldn't stop taking pictures.
On my way, I passed by a fresh water stream where another forest ranger was walking around. I spent some time with him talking about the place and he showed me great pictures he took of the wild life in the Reserve.
You will be surprised how much the area is reach in Fauna and Flora. Soon they will reintroduce the wild goats to the place.
(What I have noticed is that they leave all the dead and broken trees and branches on the floor. It will be a good attraction for the insects and like this they don't affect the healty trees. In that way, nature renews itself.
Not like how they do in the Cedars of Bsharreh. They remove all the dead branches and trees to make souvenirs of them and like this insects will be attacking normal trees because they don't have other options. Stop the overexploitation of the wood in the Cedars Forest of Bsharreh)
I didn't want this hike to end, I enjoyed every moment of it and will definitely come back.
It is a very recommended hike, moderate and very easy to follow.
Enjoy and keep it clean !!!
PLEASE, stay on the trails and respect Nature.
Waypoints
Tree
Photo
Flora
Panorama
6,349 ft
From right to left: Barouk mountain, Qaraoun lake and Mount Hermon (Jabal El Cheikh)
Lake
River
Waypoint
5,107 ft
First I went right but realised that I m closing the loop too early so I went back and took the left trail.
Comments (10)
You can add a comment or review this trail
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Difficult
Very beautiful
Totally agree Toufic
When there is hot outside on August, Al Chouf reserve give you shadow, panorama and good mood. Great place for hiking.
Hi Toni. Would you recommend this hike or the track 26 shouf biosphere Barouk. I have friends coming from Germany 🇩🇪and would like your opinion which one is more spectacular. Thanks.
You are absolutely right @MM
Hello my friend, hope you are good. Barouk is a very beautiful place but I would definitely go to Ain Zhalta entrance and recommend you track 101. Great trail and amazing views at the top. Enjoy :))
We will be hiking it early November I guess it will be still all right? Will surely do track 101!
Yesss 👍
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Difficult
Exactly what you said ... amazing trail indeed, and we all loved it. Thanks for all the valuable information and photos you provided. Super helpful
I have followed this trail verified View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
The hike is very nice. The trail is easy to follow and the scenery stunning. However foreigners beware. They will charge you $10 to enter the park! Definitely way too much for a trail that is not being continually maintained.