Historic Baabda Railway Restored as Public Trail After 50 Years
Lebanon’s historic railways are slowly coming back to life, and one of the most ambitious efforts happened in Baabda. The Baabda Railway Trail Project is among the largest initiatives in the past 50 years to restore the country’s rail network.
It all began as a grassroots effort led by the Terre Liban Association in collaboration with the Railway and Public Transport Authority, with support from PAR Consultants. They breathed new life into a historic track that had long been forgotten.
Reviving the Baabda railways
By June 2025, the association inaugurated the trail after restoration work that started in 2023. Four kilometers of the old railway line were revitalized, stretching from Deir Mar Antonios Al Kabir, through Baabda Station, the association’s center, the Baabda Forest, and ending at Al Jumhour Station.
Today, the Baabda Railway Trail is an open, safe, and natural path. It allows visitors to enjoy both nature and history at the same time.
The team went beyond basic restoration, clearing vegetation and illegal encroachments, uncovering buried tracks, and carefully restoring the trail. Association president Paul Abi Rachid emphasized the importance of preserving the original railway track over the longest possible distance. He also highlighted protecting local communities from future encroachments.
On October 11, 2025, the association hosted a field visit for directors, journalists, and government officials. Visitors received symbolic travel cards, celebrating the revival of the tracks and reconnecting Lebanese people to their heritage.
By December, the second phase of the project was nearing completion. They worked to expose more of the track and transform it into a tourist-friendly environmental and historical route.
The phase also included representatives from the public and private sectors, including retired Brigadier Ghassan Al Mufti, Pierre Abi Rachid from PAR Consultants, and Dr. Josiane Yazbeck from Baabda-Louaizeh Municipality’s Environmental Committee. It highlighted the power of collaboration between public institutions, private partners, and volunteer associations.
This project is a reminder that Lebanon’s heritage can be revived if given proper care and attention. Beyond tourism and history, it opens a door to a sustainable future that links culture, environment, and people.
With continued support, the trail could eventually become part of a functioning railway network, reconnecting communities across Lebanon.
