The Cedars of Lebanon

Address: Mount Lebanon
Admission: Free

ATTRACTION Keywords:
Good Views / Viewpoint, Nature & Wildlife, National Park

12:36 AM Monday, May 20
Passing clouds. Mild.
7 day forecast

Only two and half hours from the glitzy beaches of Beirut, the cedar groves of Lebanon are the pride of the Lebanese mountains. Northern Lebanon has some of the tallest peaks in the Middle East, some rising to over 10,000 feet, many of which used to be covered in dense forests of precious cedar.

From as early as 3,000 BC the surrounding civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and later the British lusted for the hard wood found in the forests of Lebanon. Unable to provide wood of their own for shipbuilding and railroad ties, the cedar forests of Lebanon were rapidly depleted and nearly destroyed.

Despite the international demand, however, some of the most remote groves managed to remain, the most famous of which is located in the village of Bsharre just 15 minutes from Lebanon’s most popular ski resort. Believed to be the oldest cedar grove in Lebanon, four of the largest cedars reach heights of over 115 feet and are locally referred to as Arz el Rab, “Cedars of the Lord”.

One of Lebanon’s greatest natural treasures, the mountainous area offers terrain and panoramas unlike anywhere else in Lebanon. After ambling amongst the cedars in Bsharri or taking to the slopes, visitors can descend into nearby Qadisha Grotto, an entrancing cave complex filled with limestone stalactites and stalagmites and which gushes with springtime waterfalls.

Given the distance of the cedars from the capital city of Beirut there are many hotel options available nearby, and although the ski resort is only open from December through April there is never a bad season for exploring the recesses of the Lebanese mountains.

Latest Reviews

Add review

All The Cedars of Lebanon Reviews

Review by Sara M, April 2013
Doing what: Cedars of Lebanon, Kozhaya and Besharreh Day Trip from Beirut

Great tour to see the remaining cedars of old! I loved walking around on the snow covered mountains and being in the forest where you could not only see, but smell the cedars as well. A well worth trip up the mountain. The tour guide knew his way around the park and was able to point out the oldest trees remaining in the forest.

Report problem

Review by Nada D, October 2012
Doing what: Baalbek, Kozhaya and Cedars of Lebanon Day Trip from Beirut

it was an amazing tour I fall in love with this north part of Lebanon , I was lucky to choose ur website to book my tour and I do encourage travelers to do so

Report problem

It's easiest to get to The Cedars from Bcharre by way of Tripoli. There are two roads from Bcharre to the most famous grove of Cedars less than five miles up the mountain. The older road goes past the entrance to the Jeita Grotto, another must-see sight in Lebanon.