The Cedars are the national symbol of Lebanon, they represent strength and eternity, and have been there for thousands of years.
You can’t be in Lebanon without visiting these majestic Cedars!
Wondering where to find them? We’ve got you covered! In this post, we’ll show you 8 locations to discover the Cedars of Lebanon.
1. Cedars of God
The Cedars of God forest in Bcharre is Lebanon’s most famous and oldest Cedar forest. The symbol of the Lebanese flag was taken from a Cedar tree there!
The forest used to be huge and was reduced significantly during the ages due to deforestation.
To save the forest, the Friends of Cedars Forest committee was founded in 1985. The Committee started a project to create a new forest near the old one. It now contains more than 200,000 trees!
P.S. You can help preserve the forest too! Click here to sponsor a tree or to donate to the committee.
2. Tannourine Nature Reserve
Tannourine is the home of the Largest Cedar Forest in Lebanon.
The majority of its trees are Cedars (around 80% of the forest). The forest has unique geography and topography. It was also declared an Important Bird Area in 2006.
It has multiple hiking trails that you can take depending on the difficulty you want. Walk through the reserve and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Cedars and surrounding valleys.
3. Horsh Ehden
Head to Ehden in Northern Lebanon and visit its outstanding reserve!
Horsh Ehden has the Largest Biodiversity in Lebanon: 1058 species of plants, 26 species of mammals, and 156 species of birds! It ranges in altitude from 1200 to 2000 meters.
You can do many activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and bird watching.
4. Jaj Nature Reserve
Our next destination is Jaj reserve, located in the Byblos district at an altitude of 1650 m (30 minutes away from Byblos Souk).
Jaj Cedar Forest was declared an official reserve in 2014. It’s the home of one of the most ancient Cedars in Lebanon!
Take a 15-minute hike to reach a beautiful old church surrounded by majestic Cedar trees and an amazing view!
5. Hadath El Jebbeh
Welcome to Hadath El Jebbeh, a beautiful town located in the Bcharre district, overlooking the Kadisha Valley. It is known for its astonishing Cedar forest!
The forest consists of thousands of Cedar Trees, in addition to multiple species of plants, birds, and wild animals.
P.S. Want to spend the night under the Cedars? If yes, then check out Arzat Camping. They provide everything you need for a special camping experience. They also have a restaurant and provide hiking guides inside the forest.
6. Niha Cedar Forest
Niha village, in the Batroun district, is the home of one of the biggest Cedar forests in Lebanon! It has also an ancient Roman Temple that you should definitely check out!
P.S. You can stay the night in the Cedar Scent guesthouse in the middle of the forest for an exceptional experience!
7. Qammouaa Forest
Qammouaa forest, located in the Akkar district, is a must-visit destination for nature lovers!
The forest has more than 4 million trees of 50 different species. The most important of these are the Junipers, Cedars, and Cilician Firs.
Wander through the forest and discover a wide variety of trees and plants, in addition to some astonishing views. This unique place is not to be missed!
8. Shouf Biosphere Reserve
Shouf Biosphere reserve is the Largest Reserve in Lebanon!
It has 3 Cedars forests of Maaser Al Shouf, Barouk and Ain Zhalta-Bmohray. These forests cover around a quarter of Lebanon’s Cedars!
Come to Shouf and hike in these amazing forests with trails for all difficulties. You can also do other activities such as bird watching, mountain biking, and snowshoeing.
In addition, you can adopt your own Cedar Tree and contribute to the reforestation of Lebanon.
Each of these Cedar forests is unique and definitely worth visiting!
How many of these places you’ve been to? Let us know in the comments below.
If you liked this post, take a look at our Top Waterfalls in Lebanon to uncover more of Lebanon’s natural beauty!
