- NATURE & ECOTOURISM
- SPORTS & ADVENTURE
- hiking
Aaitanit, West Bekaa district
Trail length 12,2 km
North to South
From Aaitanit to Majdel Balhis
Total ascent 716m
Total descent 624m
Level of difficulty Difficult
South to North
From Majdel Balhis to Aaitanit
Total ascent 624m
Total descent 716m
Level of difficulty Challenging
At the Aaitanit spring, take the small, winding road from opposite the spring to the paved road and then go down to the dirt road to the shore of Qaraoun Lake. Walk over the dam to the other side, go left on the paved road before following a dirt road to the right facing some café and climb the hill for about an hour. While walking on this road you will notice that the marks cross an olive orchards, continue upward on overlooking road where it ends, take an unclear foot path downhill to reach a grape field, keep it on your left side down a lonely house, than climb a small hill and down again to reach an open field to your right and left, there is a hidden dirt road that you need to continue upward on it which leads to a paved road in order to reach Majdel Balhis village. This section ends inside the village.
Important to know
- There are no difficult passages along this section; the trail consists of dirt & paved roads, footpaths and goat trails.
- This section is partly marked.
- 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 hike, contact the guesthouse or the guide few days before you start your trip.
Getting there
To reach Aaitanit or Kawkaba Bou Arab, take the Damascus highway to the Beqaa Valley. Upon reaching Chtaura, take the right-hand turn towards Qabb Elias. You will pass by the villages of Kefraya and Saghbine en route to Aaitanit. On the other side of Aaitanit, a left turn leads you to the Qaraoun dam and the village of Majdel Balhis.
Source: Lebanon Mountain Trail Association