Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Beirut

Beirut Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

The trails that define Beirut, with distances, elevation, and when each is actually passable.

By Updated

Beirut has 3+ hiking trails covered in this guide, led by Qadisha Valley Classic Hike (Bsharri to Qannoubine), Cedars of God Grove Walk and Lebanon Mountain Trail Baskinta Section. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, a Mediterranean port of mosques, churches, Ottoman and French-mandate architecture, museums, corniche promenades and one of the Arab world's best food scenes. In October 2026 it is also a city under very restrictive government travel advisories (US Level 4 Do Not Travel; Canada avoid all travel; Australia do not travel; UK against all travel to parts of the city), so this guide leads with the security picture and then covers what is open, where to stay and eat, and how to get around.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    Qadisha Valley Classic Hike (Bsharri to Qannoubine)

    Several kilometres one way (varies by route; not verified)Half day to full day depending on routemoderateValley descent and climb of several hundred metres (estimate)

    UNESCO gorge walk past cliff monasteries; moderate but harsh in summer heat and about 2.5 to 3 hours from Beirut.
  2. 2

    Cedars of God Grove Walk

    Short grove paths of about 1-2 km (estimate); longer forest trails finish in a few hours1 to 3 hourseasyGrove at about 1,900 m (estimate)

    Short, controlled walk through one of the last ancient Lebanon cedar groves, with the option of longer forest trails.
  3. 3

    Lebanon Mountain Trail Baskinta Section

    Stage lengths vary; check the LMTA GPS fileHalf day to full day per stagemoderateMountain terrain at about 1,000-1,500 m (estimate)

    Village-to-village walk on the 470 km Lebanon Mountain Trail in the mountains above Beirut, with local guesthouses.

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.

Moderate

Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.

Hard

Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.

Expert

Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in Beirut.

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Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

Medium

Hazard: Unexploded ordnance risk in southern areas (stay out of the south)

Medium

Hazard: Summer heat and dehydration in gorges

Medium

Hazard: Eroded and slippery paths

Medium

Hazard: Limited mobile coverage in valleys

Medium

Hazard: Winter snow and ice at altitude

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