Over 1,058 plant species have been recorded in this reserve, created in 1992. They account for nearly 40 percent of the plant species in Lebanon, despite being less than 0.1 percent of the total area of Lebanon. Horsh Ehden also contains the last protected community of wild apple trees. Horsh Ehden has several different trail points of varying difficulty levels, suitable for a wide range of hikers.
Entrance fees:
LL 200,000 for Lebanese
LL 500,000 for Foreigners
This island chain, off the coast of Mina in Tripoli, is one of the few remaining breeding grounds for endangered turtle species, and the exceedingly rare monk seals. The biggest island is known in Arabic as Jazeerat al-Araneb due to the high number of rabbits that were raised on the island during the French mandate. The island also contains remains of a Crusader Church as well as bathing and washing pools from the 13th century. The hiking trail is easy and will guide you through the cultural and historical sites.
This forest, located 8km from Bcharre, is a relatively small grove of trees, in what was once an expansive forest. In 1998, UNESCO designated the Cedars of God a world heritage site. Rehabilitation and planting efforts are currently under way.
This nature reserve, created in 1999, protects one of the largest and densest cedar forests in Lebanon. 90 percent of the trees in this forest are cedars. Over 600 plant species have been recorded in the reserve, along with 20 different mammals and 42 species of butterflies and moths. Trails cover nearly all the existing forest and vary in length and difficulty with easy trails averaging 1 hour, to more difficult loops with steeper elevation.
Lebanese visitors: 200,000 LL
Foreign visitors: 600,000 LL
The reserve is located on a hill and includes 3 medium-difficulty trails. There are two observation towers offering panoramic views over Jounieh.
The altitude is between 500m and 800m, and includes a few vaulted caves. It also has the advantage of being close to the city.
Entrance fees: All adults: LL 200,000, Teens: LL 100,000, under 10: free
This reserve is one of the first parks to be created in Lebanon, in 1981. The reserve is also home to a 12th century rock-cut hermitage and chapel of St. John. Migrations of hawks, buzzards and eagles also pass through the reserve. The reserve includes shorter hikes of varying difficulty levels.
Entrance fees: Lebanese adults LL 200,000, Under 10 LL 100,000, Foreigners $5
This reserve, located in the Bekaa valley, includes several water features, including fresh-water pools and the Yammouneh Lake. The reserve is also home to the remains of Phonecian, Roman and Arab Ruins.
Entrance fees: LL 80,000
Established in 1996, this reserve is considered to be the largest, containing a mix of oak and cedar forests, some of which are 2,000 years old. Activities include long walks, climbing, hiking, van tours, star gazing, animal observation, rope games and mountain biking, bird watching. The Crusader Fortress of Niha, or Shqif Tyron, is in the southwest part of the reserve, famous for being the refuge of Emir Fakhreddine I when he fled from the Ottomans in 1633 AC. The reserve has several entrances, including Ain Zhalta, Barouk, Maaser Chouf and Niha, and each location features several hiking trails of varying difficulty.
Entrance fees: LL 250,000 Lebanese adults, $10 foreigners
This reserve is a multi-use site, established in 1998, and includes public beach access, in addition to a conservation zone where visitors can enter from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The reserve also includes Biraks, artisanal wells dating back to the Phoenician era. It is also a nesting site for Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles.
One of the few remaining wetlands in the Bekaa valley, this reserve is a stopping ground for hundreds of species of migratory birds, traveling between Europe and Africa. It is also home to a group of water buffalos.
$5 admission for all
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This reserve became a part of UNESCO in 2009. It is designated as a ‘Globally Important Bird Area’ with 724 flora species, 25 mammal species, and 137 migratory and soaring birds species. The site includes various spiritual and historical sites dating back from the Phonecian, Roman and Ottoman Periods. Visitors can choose from 15 hiking trails.
Admission:
Chouwen Entrance- June through September
Weekdays: adults -$4, under 16 - 2$
weekends and holidays: adults - $8, under 16 - $4
Qehmez Entrance- year round
adults - $4, under 16 - $2
The Ras al-Chaqaa cape, situated between Batroun and Tripoli, is a breeding ground for birds, and features a stunning view of the coast. A short hike leads to an old Ottoman tunnel bisecting the prominent cliff. On the other side of the cliff, the crusade-era Mseilha fortress lies at the mouth of Nahr-al-Jowz.
Tucked away in Akkar, this expansive forest on the Kammoua Plateau, starts at an altitude of 1450m. It is home to Iron Oaks, Juniper trees, cypresses, fir trees and cedars, and is considered to be one of most important forest regions in Lebanon. There are several entrances into the forest from surrounding villages including Fneidek, Akkar al-Atiqa, and Qobayat.
This forest is located in the Dannieh district in North Lebanon. The reserve contains four major forests, including a cedar forest, two juniper forests and a mixed forest. The trails of this reserve are rather long, ranging from 4km to 10km. A section of the Lebanese Mountain Trail also cuts through the forest, from Qemmamine to Kfarbnine.
Wadi Hujeir Reserve and Jabal al Rihane Biosphere Reserve are located in South Lebanon. Jabal Al Rihane was designated as a protected UNESCO site in 2007. It hosts 168 different varieties of birds. Due to the Israeli bombardment of South Lebanon, these sites have been directly affected by the war over the past several months.
