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The largest of Lebanon nature reserves, Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve stretches from Dahr Al-Baidar in the north to Niha Mountain in the south.
He recalled also the joyful rides from Beirut up to Dahr el Baidar when passengers used to smoke nargileh (water pipes) and play the derbakeh (goblet drum) as they headed out to enjoy a day in the snow.
Specially designed tracks were laid in Baabda to scale Lebanon’s mountains. They pulled the train all the way to Dahr el-Baidar where, in the winter time, the locomotives were equipped with snow plows to push through the harsh mountain weather.
- What to Do Within The Reserve
- What to See Around The Reserve
- Don’T Miss The Niha Entrance
- History
- What Is A Biosphere Reserve?
- Difference Between A Biosphere Reserve and A Natural World Heritage Site
- Best Season to Visit
- What to Bring
- How to Get Into The Reserve
- Where to Stay
The Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is a popular destination for hiking and trekking with trails matching all levels of fitness. Bird watching, mountain biking and snowshoeing are also popular. From the summit of the rugged mountains, visitors will have a panoramic view of the countryside, eastward to the Bekaa Valley and Qaraoun Lake and westward to...
You might consider spending a couple of days exploring the historical sites and traditional character of the reserve’s neighboring villages, such as Ain Zhalta, Deir El-Qamar, Barouk, Maasser Al-Chouf and Niha. Important historical sites in the vicinity include the Beiteddine Palace, Mosque of Fakhreddine I, several old churches, and the village of...
Shqif Tyron also known as the Fortress of Niha, is located in the southwest part of the reserve near the village of Niha. The fortress overlooks Jezzine and was used by the Crusaders as an observation point onto the road that used to link Sidon to the Bekaa Valley. The Fortress is famous for being the place of refuge for Emir Fakhreddine II who was...
Al- Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve was established by Law No.532 on July 29, 1996. The Reserve is managed by an Appointed Protected Area Committee in cooperation with the Al-Shouf Cedar Society and under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment. The UNESCO declared the Reserve and surrounding villages “Shouf Biosphere Reserve” in 2005.
Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. Biosphere reserves serve in some ways as ‘living laboratories’ for testing out and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity. Collectively, biosphere reserves form a...
A biosphere reserve is a representative ecological area with 3 mutually reinforcing functions: conservation, sustainable development and logistic support for scientific research and education. Natural World Heritage sites must be of outstanding universal value in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natu...
The period from May to September is the best season to visit depending on the activities you enjoy. For floral enthusiasts, spring and summer are especially good times to visit the reserve. Flowers and plants can be identified with the help of reserve guides and the wooden signs peppered along the trails specified for walking. Animal lovers will en...
In generalvisitors should come equipped with good hiking or walking shoes, comfortable clothing, backpack and water and take the following seasonal requirements into consideration: 1. Sumer/ Spring: Water and sunglasses. 2. Autumn:Jacket, hat and warm clothes. 3. Winter:Snow clothes, hat, snow glasses, gloves, snowshoes (limited quantities can be r...
There are four main entrances to the reserve: 1. Ain Zhalta 2. Barouk 3. Maasser el Chouf 4. Niha 1. Tourist Restaurant +961 3 231 768.Tourist Restaurant & Guesthouse | Facebook 2. Pinacea Café +961 71 232 771 3. Baytna Restaurant +961 3 841 456. baytna.info
• In Ain Zhalta El Eid Guesthouse • In Baadarane Baz Guesthouse 05 311 191 –03 702 944 • In Beiteldine Mir Amin Hotel 05 501 351 • In El Khraybe El Ashkar Guesthouse 03 354 558 • In Maasser El Chouf Auberge Saint Michel and Beit El Hana 05 350 451, Boustany and Mahmoud Guesthouses • In Niha Merchad Guesthouse 05 330 755
Dahr el Baidar, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon Weather Forecast, with current conditions, wind, air quality, and what to expect for the next 3 days.
Dahr El Baydar, Lost train tunnels. Dahr El Baydar is on the connecting route between Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. It is at an altitude of around 1500 meters. This road is the main leading connection that links Lebanon to Syria through the Bekaa Valley.
The Shouf Biosphere Reserve covers about 5% of the overall area of Lebanon and extends along the ridge of the western chain of Mount Lebanon from Dahr-el Baidar in the north to Jezzine in the south and overlooks both the Bekaa valley to the east and the Shouf valley to the west.
