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Guide >Hiking Trails >

LMT 24 Majdel Balhis - Rachaya el Wadi

  • NATURE & ECOTOURISM
  • SPORTS & ADVENTURE
  • hiking

Majdel Balhis, Rachaya district

Trail length 13 km

North to South
From Majdel Balhis to Rachaya el Wadi
Total ascent 583m 
Total descent 635m
Level of difficulty Moderate

South to North
From Rachaya el Wadi to Majdel Balhis
Total ascent 635m 
Total descent 583m
Level of difficulty Moderate (4h30)

From the village of Majdel Balhis walk toward Rachaya el Wadi descending toward the grape valley and start to climb toward an overlooking hill facing Kaoukaba Bou Arab. Descend toward the lake and climb to reach the village, cross the village and walk down Jisr“el Djaj” bridge before crossing the Rachaya el Wadi – Hasbaya main paved road. Walk a few meters along it and then take the road to the right before continuing on the dirt road to Ain el Labwe spring by the old house. in After that, take a clear path from the house to reach a road and continue uphill on it until you reach the main road. Turn left and walk few meters down it before crossing another main road and taking straight a paved road for about. Continue on the road then go left on a cleared footpath between the olive trees that leads you to the main paved road again. Cross the road and start a steeper climb along a dirt road which leads you to the main square of Rachaya el Wadi in front of the municipality.

Important to know
- There are no difficult passages along this section; the trail consists of dirt and 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 Majdel Balhis, take the Damascus highway into the  Beqaa Valley. At Chtaura, take a right turn toward Qabb Elias. You will pass by the villages of Kefraya and Saghbine en route to Aaitanit. After Aaitanit, a left turn will lead you to the Qaraoun dam and Majdel Balhis on the other side.

To reach Rachaya el Wadi and Hasbaya, take the Damascus highway from Beirut into the Beqaa Valley. Continue on the main highway across the valley to Majdel Aanjar. Before reaching the border post at Masnaa, take a right turn, passing the villages of Sultan Yaacoub and Dahr el Ahmar. Here, turn left to go to Rachaya el Wadi and right to continue on southward towards Hasbaya.

Source: Lebanon Mountain Trail Association