Guides
5 Mountain Trips For You To Escape Beirut’s Heat
There’s been a sudden burst of heat in Beirut this past week, and we’re not quite sure how to handle it. If this heatwave has got you feeling suffocated, here are some mountain escapes you can go on to get one last breath of fresh air before Lebanon’s summer heat is in full swing.
1. Faraya
With its natural beauty, warm hospitality, and various seasonal attractions, Faraya is a well-known attractive hub. Nestled in the peaks of Lebanon’s central mountains, it attracts locals and tourists alike. While usually associated with the winter season (due to its ski resorts slopes and snow-related sports), Faraya is just as enjoyable in summer when it transforms into a relaxing and laid-back village with wonderful natural views and a new variety of activities to enjoy.
Where to stay: Terre Brune, Faraya Village Club, InterContinental Mzaar, Hotel Hors Piste, various Airbnb rentals, Villetta Di Faraya
Where to eat: Rikky’z, Montagnou, El Mexicano, Soleil D’or, Coin Vert, Erzel, The Notch, Terre Brune
Things to see and do: Hiking, Paragliding, hot Air Ballooning, ATV, biking, eating good food!
2. Batroun mountains
image via thehighlandsbatroun.com
Overlooking the sea, vineyards and agricultural terraces, forests and valleys, lay the Batroun mountain villages, rooted in thousands of years of culture and history. Close enough to civilization yet distant enough to disconnect, the mountains offer a variety of perfect escapes. Whether you’re simply searching for a spiritual retreat, looking to connect with nature, or want to enjoy a relaxing meal with a view (and breeze), the Batroun mountains have something for everyone.
Where to stay: Tafla, Abdelli Terraces, Batroun Village Club, Arnaoon Village
Where to eat/drink: Batroun Mountains Winery, Ixsir Winery, Trappiste Priests Winery, Aurora Winery, Arnaoon Village, Abdelli Terraces
Things to see and do: Camping, hiking, visiting vineyards/wine tasting, stargazing, Arnaoon Village, Batroun Festival (July)
3. Ehden
image via glamroz.com
Situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon, Ehden is a famous summer resort and touristic center. Often called ‘The Bride of Summer Resorts in North Lebanon’, it is renowned for its healthy environment, moderate dry cool climate, and natural fresh water. With the variety of activities available, highly rated restaurants, breathtaking natural scenery, and the Ehdeniyat Festival coming up, you don’t need any more reasons to book a visit right now.
Where to stay: Ehden Country Club, Master’s Hotel, Hotel Ehden, Serail Hotel, Kroum Ehden, Belmont Hotel, Beit el Ward, La Reserve
Where to eat: Al Ferdaws, Al Wadi, Adan, Nabaa Jouit, Pinch, Saggio, Alonso, Hanin Ehden
Things to see and do: Ehden’s ancient ruins, churches/monasteries, Horsh Ehden, Al Midan, Lady of the Fort, Ehden Adventures, Kroum Ehden, Saydit Al Hosn, Ehdeniyat Festival (July-Aug)
4. Bkassine
image via bkassinepinepark.files.wordpress.com
A charming, scenic and peaceful village located 70 km from Beirut, Bkassine lies south of Jezzine on a small hill surrounded by a magnificent 3 million sq meter pine forest, the largest in Lebanon and the Middle East. Known for its magnificent nature, red-tile roofed houses, narrow streets and beautiful churches, Bkassine is the ideal place to go to for all kinds of ecotourism activities, or to spend a quiet and relaxing weekend away from the hustle of the city.
Where to stay: La Maison de la Foret, Iris Flower Hotel, Pine View Hotel, Blue Jay Valley, L’etoile du Loup
Where to eat: Tawlet Bkassine, Al Shallal Restaurant, Al Chalouf Restaurant, Coin Rouge, Karam Winery
Things to see and do: Hiking/trekking, Our Lady of Salvation Church, Bkassine Pine Forest, La Maison de la Foret, Jezzine Waterfalls, Fakhreddine Grotto, Bkassine Festival (September)
5. Chouf
A historic Lebanese village with an abundance of majestic castles, Chouf is also one of Lebanon’s most beautiful mountain escapes. With its very own cedar forest and everlasting mountains of greenery, this is one of Lebanon’s most picturesque mountain retreats.
Where to stay: Beit El Qamar
Where to eat: Tawlet Beit El Qamar, Mir Amine Palace Hotel
Things to see and do: Hike through Al Shouf Nature Reserve, visit the majestic Beiteddine Palace, Fakhreddine Palace, and Moussa Castle.
1. Faraya
With its natural beauty, warm hospitality, and various seasonal attractions, Faraya is a well-known attractive hub. Nestled in the peaks of Lebanon’s central mountains, it attracts locals and tourists alike. While usually associated with the winter season (due to its ski resorts slopes and snow-related sports), Faraya is just as enjoyable in summer when it transforms into a relaxing and laid-back village with wonderful natural views and a new variety of activities to enjoy.
Where to stay: Terre Brune, Faraya Village Club, InterContinental Mzaar, Hotel Hors Piste, various Airbnb rentals, Villetta Di Faraya
Where to eat: Rikky’z, Montagnou, El Mexicano, Soleil D’or, Coin Vert, Erzel, The Notch, Terre Brune
Things to see and do: Hiking, Paragliding, hot Air Ballooning, ATV, biking, eating good food!
2. Batroun mountains
image via thehighlandsbatroun.com
Overlooking the sea, vineyards and agricultural terraces, forests and valleys, lay the Batroun mountain villages, rooted in thousands of years of culture and history. Close enough to civilization yet distant enough to disconnect, the mountains offer a variety of perfect escapes. Whether you’re simply searching for a spiritual retreat, looking to connect with nature, or want to enjoy a relaxing meal with a view (and breeze), the Batroun mountains have something for everyone.
Where to stay: Tafla, Abdelli Terraces, Batroun Village Club, Arnaoon Village
Where to eat/drink: Batroun Mountains Winery, Ixsir Winery, Trappiste Priests Winery, Aurora Winery, Arnaoon Village, Abdelli Terraces
Things to see and do: Camping, hiking, visiting vineyards/wine tasting, stargazing, Arnaoon Village, Batroun Festival (July)
3. Ehden
image via glamroz.com
Situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon, Ehden is a famous summer resort and touristic center. Often called ‘The Bride of Summer Resorts in North Lebanon’, it is renowned for its healthy environment, moderate dry cool climate, and natural fresh water. With the variety of activities available, highly rated restaurants, breathtaking natural scenery, and the Ehdeniyat Festival coming up, you don’t need any more reasons to book a visit right now.
Where to stay: Ehden Country Club, Master’s Hotel, Hotel Ehden, Serail Hotel, Kroum Ehden, Belmont Hotel, Beit el Ward, La Reserve
Where to eat: Al Ferdaws, Al Wadi, Adan, Nabaa Jouit, Pinch, Saggio, Alonso, Hanin Ehden
Things to see and do: Ehden’s ancient ruins, churches/monasteries, Horsh Ehden, Al Midan, Lady of the Fort, Ehden Adventures, Kroum Ehden, Saydit Al Hosn, Ehdeniyat Festival (July-Aug)
4. Bkassine
image via bkassinepinepark.files.wordpress.com
A charming, scenic and peaceful village located 70 km from Beirut, Bkassine lies south of Jezzine on a small hill surrounded by a magnificent 3 million sq meter pine forest, the largest in Lebanon and the Middle East. Known for its magnificent nature, red-tile roofed houses, narrow streets and beautiful churches, Bkassine is the ideal place to go to for all kinds of ecotourism activities, or to spend a quiet and relaxing weekend away from the hustle of the city.
Where to stay: La Maison de la Foret, Iris Flower Hotel, Pine View Hotel, Blue Jay Valley, L’etoile du Loup
Where to eat: Tawlet Bkassine, Al Shallal Restaurant, Al Chalouf Restaurant, Coin Rouge, Karam Winery
Things to see and do: Hiking/trekking, Our Lady of Salvation Church, Bkassine Pine Forest, La Maison de la Foret, Jezzine Waterfalls, Fakhreddine Grotto, Bkassine Festival (September)
5. Chouf
A historic Lebanese village with an abundance of majestic castles, Chouf is also one of Lebanon’s most beautiful mountain escapes. With its very own cedar forest and everlasting mountains of greenery, this is one of Lebanon’s most picturesque mountain retreats.
Where to stay: Beit El Qamar
Where to eat: Tawlet Beit El Qamar, Mir Amine Palace Hotel
Things to see and do: Hike through Al Shouf Nature Reserve, visit the majestic Beiteddine Palace, Fakhreddine Palace, and Moussa Castle.