If you have already checked off the buzzing streets of Beirut and the ancient ruins of Byblos from your bucket list, it is time to discover the country’s best-kept secret. Akkar hiking trails offer some of the most spectacular and untouched adventures in the entire Middle East. This is not your typical tourist circuit; it is the deep, authentic Lebanon that adventure travelers dream about.
We are talking about massive oak forests that turn gold in autumn, high-altitude plateaus that stretch to the horizon, and river gorges with hidden waterfalls. The trails here range from challenging mountain ascents to easier historical walks. The experience combines raw natural beauty with the legendary hospitality of the north. Whether you are looking for prehistoric megalithic sites you can hike through or clean mountain air, the hiking trails in Akkar deliver an experience unlike anywhere else.
The LMT Section 1: Qobbayat to Qammouaa
This flagship route marks the northern terminus of the famous Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT), and it is honestly one of the most rewarding Akkar hiking trails you will ever experience. Starting at the historic Mar Challita Monastery in Qobbayat (sitting at roughly 600m elevation), you climb steadily through changing ecosystems until you reach the vast Qammouaa Plateau at 1,600m.
The 14-16 km journey typically takes around 6 hours and racks up about 1,200m of elevation gain. This is a serious workout, but the changing scenery keeps you motivated. The trail begins with a fascinating historical layer, as the Mar Challita monastery is built on the ruins of a Roman temple. This immediately grounds you in the region’s incredible depth of history before you even break a sweat.
The ascent through the pine zone
You start on paved roads and follow water canals that contour around the hills. This is a uniquely Lebanese hiking feature, offering flat walking with expansive views before the real climbing begins. As you ascend past the ruins of Mar Sarkis and Bakhos, the vegetation thickens dramatically.
You soon enter the pine zone where the sensory shift is remarkable. The air cools noticeably, the scent of pine resin fills your lungs, and village sounds fade into forest silence. It is a moment of pure disconnection from the modern world.
Entering the Black Forest
The crux of this hike comes as you climb toward the Nabaa Zabboud spring. You enter what locals call the “Black Forest,” a dense stand of Cilician Fir that creates a dark, cool microclimate. This section demands real endurance, utilizing dirt roads and single-track footpaths that steepen considerably.
Your reward is ice-cold, clean water flowing directly from the rock at Nabaa Zabboud. This is a critical hydration point that hikers rave about. The final push breaks dramatically out of the dense forest onto the Qammouaa Plateau. The visual impact is genuinely breathtaking as the horizon opens to reveal a massive, flat high-altitude plain ringed by peaks.
Wadi Jhannam: The Valley of Hell trail
Do not let the ominous name scare you off. The “Valley of Hell” refers to the steep canyon walls and the difficulty of escape, not the scenery, which is absolutely stunning. Among all Akkar hiking trails, this canyon trek stands out for its dramatic verticality. It starts from Hrar Village at about 900m elevation and drops to a river junction at 600m.
This creates a “reverse hike” profile that is psychologically interesting. You start fresh on the downhill but face the hardest climbing when you are already tired at the end. The descent from Hrar is immediately knee-jarring as the path drops 300 meters quickly through changing vegetation zones. You transition from scrub oak to moisture-loving plane trees and ferns as you approach the river.
The river and waterfalls
At the bottom, the environment becomes completely dominated by the roar of rushing water. The trail follows the riverbank that literally marks the border between the districts of Akkar and Danniyeh. This is a wet hike in every sense. River crossings are common, rocks can be slippery with moss, and you will want shoes with good grip.
The destination that makes all the effort worthwhile is the El Jenniyat Waterfalls. These are a series of elegant cascades pouring into deep, impossibly turquoise pools. While they are not massive falls, they are perfect for swimming if you can handle freezing water. The setting is incredibly photogenic, with limestone cliffs creating natural amphitheaters around the pools.
The climb out
The return journey is where the “Hell” moniker truly manifests. The steep climb out of the canyon in afternoon heat requires serious cardiovascular effort and mental determination. Summer hikers report this ascent being particularly brutal, with limited shade and the sun beating down on the exposed canyon walls.
However, the riparian environment stays noticeably cooler than the surrounding hills. Local guides familiar with the terrain can point out the best swimming holes and safest river crossings, which vary depending on recent rainfall.
The Iron Oak forest: Fneidek’s golden treasure
Here is something that will blow your mind regarding Akkar hiking trails. Lebanon has the largest contiguous forest cover in the Middle East, and a huge chunk of it is right here. The crown jewel is the Iron Oak (Quercus cerris) forest near Fneidek, featuring a tree species that is genuinely rare in this part of the world.
Unlike the evergreen oaks common throughout the Mediterranean, these are deciduous giants. Some stands are estimated at over 1,000 years old, reaching heights of 30 meters. This forest supports incredible biodiversity, with approximately 10 million trees of 46 different species according to ecological surveys.
What makes this forest absolutely unmissable for photographers is the seasonal transformation. In late October through November, it rivals famous international fall foliage. The leaves turn a brilliant, fiery gold before dropping. This creates a hiking experience that is both visually overwhelming and audibly distinct, thanks to the satisfying crunch of rust-colored leaves underfoot.
There is a fascinating historical connection here too. During the early 20th century, the British army purchased wood from these forests to make logs for building the Orient Express Railway. You are literally hiking through a forest that shaped global transportation history.
The Qammouaa Plateau: High-altitude wonder
If the forested valleys are the intimate side of the region, the Qammouaa Plateau is its grand statement. This vast, rolling high-altitude plain sits at around 1,600m elevation. It functions as a massive water catchment for the region, essentially serving as the “water tower” of northern Lebanon.
The geological depression allows for dense forests that are genuinely anomalous in the typically arid Levant. The visual impact when you first emerge onto the plateau after climbing through forests is genuinely jarring in the best way. The horizon opens to reveal “big sky” country that feels more like Montana than the Middle East.
This openness creates a distinct silence that is almost tangible after the enclosed forest trails. Most Lebanon content focuses on the bustling energy of Beirut, but the primary asset of these Akkar hiking trails is this profound quiet. The plateau supports unique high-altitude ecosystems and serves as a critical waypoint for longer LMT sections.
Menjez megalithic trail: 6,000 years of history
For travelers who want their outdoor adventure mixed with serious archaeological wonder, the Menjez trail delivers something completely unique. This area sits on black basalt volcanic rock rather than the white limestone that dominates the rest of Lebanon. This immediately changes the visual palette to black rocks against green grass.
The trail winds through a field of over 87 megalithic tombs (dolmens) dating back to approximately 4000 BC. You are literally hiking through a necropolis that predates the pyramids. The experience has an eerie, time-travel quality as you walk among these prehistoric structures while looking over the Nahr el-Kebir river into Syria.
Each tomb is a testament to Bronze Age engineering and burial practices. The sheer number of them across the landscape creates an almost otherworldly atmosphere. The trail here is generally flatter and easier than the high mountain routes, making it accessible to older travelers or families with capable children.
Logistics: Getting to Akkar and staying there
Getting to the start of these Akkar hiking trails requires some planning. From Beirut, you are looking at a solid 2.5 to 3 hours of driving. The route heads north past Tripoli, then cuts inland at Abdeh toward Halba. This is not a quick day trip from the capital; you will want at least 2 to 3 days to properly experience the region.
Here is what you need to know about transport and accommodation:
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Vehicle Requirements: A 4×4 or high-clearance SUV is highly recommended. This is vital for the potholes and rough conditions on secondary roads leading to trailheads.
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Private Transport: For most international travelers, hired private transport is the better option. It removes navigation stress and lets you enjoy the scenery.
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Guesthouses: Places like “Les Demeures” in Qobbayat offer boutique experiences in converted heritage homes.
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Monastery Stays: The Carmelite Monastery in Qobbayat offers rooms at budget-friendly rates for a soulful experience.
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Camping: Permitted in areas like Qammouaa, but strictly primitive with zero amenities.
The Akkar Trail NGO is your best resource for current information. They can arrange guides and help with logistics. The region has limited tourist infrastructure, which is both its charm and its challenge.
Safety and supporting conservation
Because this is Lebanon and you are near an active border region, safety is a valid question. The Akkar hiking trails themselves are safe from a security standpoint. However, wandering off-trail near the northern ridges toward Syria can lead to encounters with military positions.
Stay on marked trails, carry your passport at all times, and be polite at checkpoints. Medical considerations are also important. The nearest major hospitals are in Halba or Tripoli, roughly an hour from the high trails. Basic wilderness first aid knowledge is mandatory here.
Supporting the Akkar Trail NGO is crucial. This volunteer organization was born from the devastating forest fires of the past. Today, they maintain trails and advocate for conservation. Hiring guides affiliated with them turns your hike into a net positive for the environment.
Akkar represents authenticity without compromise. This is not a destination that has been smoothed and polished for mass tourism. The trails are marked but not manicured. The accommodations are small-scale and personal.
What you get in return is the feeling of genuine discovery. You will hike through oak forests that turn gold in ways most travelers do not know exist. You will reach high plateaus that offer vast silence. You will walk among 6,000-year-old tombs. If you are ready for the deep, unfiltered Lebanon, the Akkar hiking trails are calling.
