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Guide >Hiking Trails >

LMT Baskinta Literary Trail

  • NATURE & ECOTOURISM
  • SPORTS & ADVENTURE
  • hiking

Baskinta, Matn district

Trail length 24 km

North to South
From Saydet el Niyah Convent to Mikhail Naimy Mausoleum
Total ascent 1459m
Total descent 1129m
Level of difficulty Very Difficult

South to North
From Mikhail Naimy Mausoleum to Saydet el Niyah Convent
Total ascent 1129m 
Total descent 1459m
Level of difficulty Very Difficult

The Baskinta Literary Trail is a novel idea with something for everyone! The trail, 24-km long, invites you to discover 22 literary landmarks related to several acclaimed poets and novelists from the region including Mikhail Naimy, Amin Maalouf, Abdallah Ghanem, Suleiman Kettaneh, Rachid Ayoub and Georges Ghanem.  You can start your hike at any of the designated entry points on the BLT, clearly indicated on the map and marked on the trail with information panels, and spend two or three days in Baskinta and the nearby villages of Ain el Qabou, Kfar Aqab, Wadi el Karm, and Boqaatat Kenaan. We encourage you to discover the trail with a trained local guide.

The BLT starts and ends at el Chakhroub in front of the Memorial Garden of Mikhail Naimy at the heights of Baskinta, as well as at Saydet el Niyah convent in Bqaatouta. It extends on more than 24km passing thru Baskinta, Ain el Qabou, El Machraa, Kfar Aqab, Ouadi el Karm, Kfartay, Boqaatet Kenaan, and Bqaatouta. The most famous part is between el Chakhroub and Baskinta town, it extends on 7km passing by the summer home of Mikhail Naimy, Roman inscription, Cave of Sayf el Dawla, Sleiman Kettaneh family home, Saydet el Khalleh church and Abdallah Ghanem cultural center. Please note there is a project to open a road between Saydet el Khalle church and Abdallah Ghanem Cultural center in Baskinta.

Important to know
- There are some difficult passages on this section; the trail consists of paved roads, dirt roads, footpath, goat trails and water canals.
- This section is partly marked from Mikhael Naimi Garden side (7 km)
- If you plan to walk alone, please inform the LMTA about the dates of your trip at info@lebanontrail.org and ask for the GPS track.
- For your stay and your hike, contact the guesthouse or the guide few days before you start your trip.

Getting there
From Beirut to Baskinta, take the coastal highway to Antelias, then join the main road up to Bikfaya. After passing through Bikfaya, turn right on the road to Kenchara, Bteghrine, and Ouadi el Jamajem. You enter Baskinta as the road climbs out of the deep valley to reach the main square, continue to reach el Chakhroub. 

Source: Lebanon Mountain Trail Association