Shouf biosphere reserve/ Entrance to the Barouk Cedar forest — Attraction in Mount Lebanon Governorate

Barouk Cedar Forest is part of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve, which is the largest natural reserve in Lebanon. It's a wonderful place for long hiking...breathe good sense and walk peacefully along the trails through the magnificent old cedar trees to the top, which offers breathtaking views over the Bekaa valley. Leave your concerns at home, enjoy the refreshing and rejuvenating environment, observe in silence the forest and feel deeply the magic of life diversity...just let your soul float high away from the jaded society. You feel free like an eagle soaring with confidence to blend eventually with the sky....

A must-do day trip excursion from Beirut! Beautiful trees and scenery, fresh air, lovely reserve staff, and well-marked hiking trails. Pack some water and snacks, and spend a day at this reserve. There are several marked hiking trails, and if you prefer, you can hire a reserve guide to take you on an unmarked one. Prices for that aren't set. It's kind of like a donation from what I understood. Price to enter the reserve is 7,000 LBP (just under $5). There's a clean bathroom at the pay point, as well as a small gift shop that has everything from honey and dried thyme to goat labne...

We went on the "Panoramic View" hike. It's very nice but beware that there are no signs along the trail, and limited cellphone reception. It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the lake, after which we realized the trail isn't a closed loop and we had to walk back almost the same direction we came from for 10 minutes and then on the asphalt road for about 20 minutes to reach the starting spot where all the cars are parked (6km away from the...