Hiking in the mountains of Lebanon to see nature

When you talk about the Middle East, the first thing that comes to mind is mostly desert sand sea -- a few camels carrying travelers to explore the secret, shuttling between the desert. Yet Lebanon, in the far west of the Middle East and on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, seems to have been blessed by the heavens alone. It is a land of quiet green valleys and cloud-rising mountains, unlike the rest of the world, where the sun and sand are mixed. The secluded valleys and paths of Lebanon are not nearly as busy as the city itself, and it is this seclusion that has become the go-to destination for many tourists who want to relax in nature.

From the olive groves on the Mediterranean coast to the cedar forests that greet the first rays of dawn, Lebanon's colorful landscapes and people are hidden in the villages along the 470-kilometer-long walkway through the country. But a pair of hiking boots is not enough for such a long walk, and it is difficult to explore the secrets of Lebanon's mountains without the right means of transportation. Renting a car suitable for mountain roads can help travelers move quickly from village to village without losing sight of the scenery. With a combination of human and fuel-powered mobility, Lebanon's natural scenery is at hand.

The Qadisha Valley is often the first stop for tourists exploring Lebanon's natural beauty. "Khadisha" means "holy, holy", so the Khadisha Valley is also called "Holy Valley". In the valley, the sallow cliffs are tinted with the green of cypress and oak, the red tiles of the village houses are glimpsed through the cascading green woods, and the various orchards of the valley add to the color of the valley. Even in winter, Khadisha Valley is never covered by a single white snow, and there are always unrestrained colors that stubbornly break out of the white and show their unique brilliance in the warm winter sun.

After visiting the Kadisha Valley, the nearby cedar forest of Basari is the next stop. Cedar, a witness to the history of Lebanon, is the symbol of Lebanon. Cedars appear in many historical records as far back as 4,500 years ago, when the seafaring Phoenicians sent them to every corner of the Mediterranean, from the ships of Egyptian pharaohs to the thrones of Roman emperors. When smelt carefully, the cedar of Lebanon gives off a faint fragrance. In ancient civilizations, cedar was once regarded as a "sacred wood" that only high officials and dignitaries could use to show their status. Both the cedar forest and the Khadisha Valley are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walking in the jungle, accompanied by the fragrance of cedar, feel the natural scenery spanning thousands of years, the world can only be found here.

Among the many hiking trails is a place called Hell Valley. Perhaps because the name is scary, few people want to go. However, the slightly more daring visitor will find the view of Hells Valley so breathtaking that one wonders if the ancestors who gave it its name intended it for exclusive beauty. In the valley, where the river has accumulated ice all year round and the oak and cypress trees have accompanied, a beautiful mountain picture unfolds here. The deep canyon outside the valley and the steep cliff form a natural arch, seems to want to "dissuade" backpackers who want to explore the valley with its precipitous appearance. Many tourists, after visiting Hell Valley, exclaim the opposite of the name -- "Beautiful as heaven!"

The natural beauty of Lebanon is much more than that. The mountains, the water, the trees, the villages... The harmony between man and nature is perfectly played here. If you want to see more of Lebanon's natural scenery, please go and see for yourself.