Qadisha Valley
Qadisha Valley
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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This holy gorge is filled with ancient monasteries and hermitages carved into its cliffs.
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4.5
150 reviews
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28
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VinnieLondon
London, UK12,781 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Around 1.5 hours drive out from Beirut depending on traffic. Magnificent landscape with stunning views and a rich history. Many historical sites worth exploring as well as the nature and trails. Home to many saints from the grotto’s across this region as well as terraced fruit growing mountains. Well worth the trip out to see this natural landscapes.
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Love Mate
Beirut, Lebanon681 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
It was a fast visit to Bcharre area, but we manage to take the road by car from bcharre to Arz a small road overlooking the Qadisha Valley. The most stunning view you could ever see in the world. Great landscapes to take pictures, green area all over the place and houses with red tiles also few waterfalls and mist from time to time. At the end when you get the main road go right on a offroad road you get the a cross build on the to of the mountain overlooking the Qadicha Valley. (Check pictures) also their is a small bus that serve desserts check it out
Written 5 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
urbanathena
Chicago, IL13 contributions
Part of the Lebanon Mountain Trail goes through the Qadisha Valley (section 7 of 22, to be precise), and it is absolutely one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. The track goes down from behind the church in the center of Bcharre and passes through apple orchards into the valley. You can hike through the bottom of the valley to any number of monasteries or just enjoy the scenery. You'll definitely want appropriate clothing (layers, hiking boots) as the path can be rocky and there's some minor exposure. The track is marked, but it helped to have a map as well. Allow at least 3 hours roundtrip for the hike to the Chapel of Mar Chmouni and Deir as-Salib.
Written 16 January 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lena On The Move
Europe87 contributions
June 2018
The Holy Valley is home to numerous UNESCO-awarded isolated rock-cut monasteries – some of them well-preserved, others abandoned. I consider those cave churches a must-see attraction when traveling to Qadisha Valley. Ten of them can be visited either by car or on foot.
Apart from that, Qadisha Valley has a beautiful scenery and offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and even skiing in winter. Visiting Qadisha Valley has definitely been one of my highlights while exploring Lebanon.
Apart from that, Qadisha Valley has a beautiful scenery and offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and even skiing in winter. Visiting Qadisha Valley has definitely been one of my highlights while exploring Lebanon.
Written 17 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carloshilal
15 contributions
Oct 2017
This place is one of the most amazing places to visit because it covers rigorous and deep aspects of the Maronite Church historical sites and tradition, is the essence of the natural beauty Of the Lebanese "Mount-Lebanon" mountains and greenery + it is perfect for a nice moderate hiking experience!
You can also reach the cell of a Columbian Maronite monk and discuss anything with him!
You can also reach the cell of a Columbian Maronite monk and discuss anything with him!
Written 22 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
Halifax, Canada209 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
We hiked down from Dimane. Going down is easy. As you descend, you can feel the sense of history where the ancient Maronites hid from persecution and many saints walked and lived. As you go further down, you encounter homes built into the cliffside, and those who dwell there are more then welcome to say hello and guide you along. Once you reach the bottom, after many difficult switchbacks, there is nearly no sunlight, but you hear the babbling of a brook, and you find the bridge to cross this brook, and begin climbing up once again on the other side. As you climb, the hike becomes more and more difficult, but you know the reward, you know the feeling of being in this historic and holy place.
Eventually, after what seems like hours but is really only twenty minutes, you can see a monastary in the distance, and you hike towards it. The nuns are hospitable there, they offer you water, and direct you to a local spring to cool your burning face. They allow you to explore their humble space, and direct you to a restaurant, the only one in the valley, a short walk up a narrow roadway.
The restaurant is authentically Lebanese, serving every type of Mezza, as well as hot and barbecued food. Abou Youssef they call it. Then bring you drinks, alcoholic and non, and the service is some of the best you'll experience in Lebanon.
When you're done your meal, you notice the sun starts to set, and the owner of the restaurant calls for his friend, Charbel, of course thats his name, the name of one of Lebanon's best known saints, to drive you back up to where your hike began.
Charbel piles your party into his 4x4 truck, and the bumpy road begins to sway you and rock you, like the valley is saying goodbye with a gentle serenade. You pass another village, and then begin, back and forth, back and forth, around numerous switchbacks, until you can see the beautiful red roofs of the homes along the top of the valley. You emerge close to Becharie, and must drive back to your starting place. All the while, you feel as though you have been baptized once more by this holy valley.
Eventually, after what seems like hours but is really only twenty minutes, you can see a monastary in the distance, and you hike towards it. The nuns are hospitable there, they offer you water, and direct you to a local spring to cool your burning face. They allow you to explore their humble space, and direct you to a restaurant, the only one in the valley, a short walk up a narrow roadway.
The restaurant is authentically Lebanese, serving every type of Mezza, as well as hot and barbecued food. Abou Youssef they call it. Then bring you drinks, alcoholic and non, and the service is some of the best you'll experience in Lebanon.
When you're done your meal, you notice the sun starts to set, and the owner of the restaurant calls for his friend, Charbel, of course thats his name, the name of one of Lebanon's best known saints, to drive you back up to where your hike began.
Charbel piles your party into his 4x4 truck, and the bumpy road begins to sway you and rock you, like the valley is saying goodbye with a gentle serenade. You pass another village, and then begin, back and forth, back and forth, around numerous switchbacks, until you can see the beautiful red roofs of the homes along the top of the valley. You emerge close to Becharie, and must drive back to your starting place. All the while, you feel as though you have been baptized once more by this holy valley.
Written 5 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RitaKalindjian
Bikfaya, Lebanon133 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
Either if you go there in winter or summer, in spring or autumn, you will always fall in love with this special place and you will ask to go there again and again! I have been there more than 15 times!
The valley was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.
Hiking between the olive trees, visiting some very old monasteries, spending some time deep in the nature, listening to the birds, to the water stream, smelling the flowers, following the butterflies....the place is heaven on earth.
Just don't go there on any official Holiday (especially the 1st of May!)...the place will be full of very noisy people.
The valley was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.
Hiking between the olive trees, visiting some very old monasteries, spending some time deep in the nature, listening to the birds, to the water stream, smelling the flowers, following the butterflies....the place is heaven on earth.
Just don't go there on any official Holiday (especially the 1st of May!)...the place will be full of very noisy people.
Written 26 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Georgina455
Bristol, UK2 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
We had hoped to trek some of the lebanese mountain trail during our visit to Lebanon. I contacted all of the companies on the Lebanese mountain trail website - only had a few replies, of which Liban trek was way ahead in terms of providing good quality information. Michel the owner of the company responded to all of my queries and questions very promptly. We were in frequent email contact in the weeks preceding our trip. He offered general advice to help plan all of our trip and make our stay in lebanon a success. He has good local knowledge and was able to help us construct an itinery that was personalised to our requests. Michel organised for us to have a 2 day trek in the qozhaya and qadisha valley, with an overnight stay in a homestay ('Homestay in a wild environment within the Qadisha. Isolated house in Qannoubin hamlet, inaccessible to cars. Family of 4: mother, son, spouse & child. 2 twin rooms at your disposal, with beds, sheets & covers. Toilets & hot shower contiguous to the house.') we stopped to visit monastries on the way, and also visited the Hermit's cave - a columbian man Father Dario Escobar, who has lived in a cave/church in the qadisha valley alone for 12 years! He was a surprisingly funny and friendly man, and very intelligent. Our guide Rafi, was very friendly and relaxed, he was happy to talk with us and share his knowledge throughout the trek. He was also very responsive and keen to gain our feedback on the experience as we were going to ensure that the trip was what we had hoped for. He gave us several options of routes as we were trekking. The hike was well paced with enough time to enjoy the environment. We are experienced trekkers - so we didn't think it was too difficult. We appreciated the relaxed pace to take in the beautiful scenary and talk. The trek was enhanced by his relationship with many locals - who invited us in to their homes for coffee stops on the way - a great way to meet local people.
The homestay was in a very tranquil environment in the valley, the family were friendly - they did not speak any English, but our guide translated for us. They prepared delicious home cooked traditional lebanese food. At night we could see the sky filled with stars, the house electricity was off for 3 hours - but this provided a perfect atmosphere with candles to enjoy our evening. The house was warmed by a wood burning stove.
I would definately recommend Liban trek - we thought it was a worthwhile experience and were impressed with the organisation and help provided by the company.
The homestay was in a very tranquil environment in the valley, the family were friendly - they did not speak any English, but our guide translated for us. They prepared delicious home cooked traditional lebanese food. At night we could see the sky filled with stars, the house electricity was off for 3 hours - but this provided a perfect atmosphere with candles to enjoy our evening. The house was warmed by a wood burning stove.
I would definately recommend Liban trek - we thought it was a worthwhile experience and were impressed with the organisation and help provided by the company.
Written 20 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zaufyshan H
Dubai, United Arab Emirates84 contributions
Aug 2011
The valley is a natural marvel, with a gorge running deep between the two cliffs, with rivers, brooks, lush greenery, flaura and fauna of all kinds. There are 50 monastries scattered in the valley, but the visible ones are a handful.The car can go past a few monasteries and then you trek for 15 mns to go to a very peaceful monastery called Lady Kannobin. You can find volunteers living there who can speak English and answer any queries.
The daring few can trek further uphill for 45 mns to see a the hermit who lives in the hills besides a very sacred chapel. The path is interesting & adventurous. (Not recommended for children under 12, as the path can be perilous)
A wonderful experience - a must for all who visit Lebanon
The daring few can trek further uphill for 45 mns to see a the hermit who lives in the hills besides a very sacred chapel. The path is interesting & adventurous. (Not recommended for children under 12, as the path can be perilous)
A wonderful experience - a must for all who visit Lebanon
Written 14 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NJ26
London, UK509 contributions
May 2010
One of the most stunning places I have ever been to. I stayed at a small pension in Bcharre (which is a pretty little town worth visiting in itself) which provided maps of hike routes. The hiking was superb, amongst waterfalls, monasteries, forests and incredible views. Cannot recommend spending a couple of days here enough!
Written 5 March 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
markwhite
Melbourne, Australia
Hi there. Has anyone done the hike of Qadisha Valley on their own? (without a tour group) I'm visiting there during the week days and tours all seem to run weekends only. And private tours are way too expensive. Is it easy enough to do with a map and some directions?
Written 3 July 2018
Yes, you can do the trip on your own. I just did in the middle of May 2018, I also wrote a review about the trip on Tripadvisor:
The Qadisha valley is a wonderful place. We went for a 25km hike in May - and had, weirdly enough, a lot of rain. But even though we were completely wet in the evening, it was completely worth it.
We left from Bauhaus hotel - just outside of Bcharré, from where a small street (also a big one, but you should take the small one) goes down into the valley. The way is very well marked (I forgot which color though). Nonetheless, you see that the path is not frequently used, because sometimes the grass was as high as our knees, and apart from the marks on the trees and roadsides, there was, at moments, no visible path.
The path down the valley is breathtaking, but quite steep. At a certain point there was a chain in the rocks, in case the rocks were wet. So, better not take this way with children. There is another path that leaves from Bcharré city center, which is apparently less beautiful, but easier.
Once you arrive at the first monastery - after about an hour of hiking, the path gets very easy, and follows the riverbed, where there is a track - always well marked - for 4x4's.
About every hour from then onwards, there is a different monastery along the road.
At the river valley, the roads biforcate from time to time, so better have a map. We didn't find a detailed map on the spot, but I used the application maps.me, where all roads are very well indicated.
About halfway, just before the Qannoubine monastery, there is a restaurant along the way, with decent lunch for a reasonable price. Drinking water can be refilled here.
After a whole day of walking, we left the trail for a final, steep, climb of about 2 hours towards Ehden from where we hitchhiked back to Bcharré without any difficulties. There is also a bus passing to Bcharré - at least once an hour, but maybe more frequently than that as well.
As I told in the beginning, the way is well marked, and until you arrive at the Qannoubine monastery, it is almost not possible to lose the way. Before Qannoubine, the way splits in two, but they both run parallel, and arrive at the restaurant just before Qannoubine. Afterwards though, there are various trails leaving the valley towards different villages on the hill top, so it is best to have a map with you, unless you don't mind which way to take and which monastery to see.
Written 3 July 2018
Hey Tony,
Just wondering if you visit Qadisha on your own, or if you arranged a driver to go. I will be staying in Byblos for 3 days, so I was thinking of heading there for one of the days.
Any advice friend?
Many thanks,
Shauna
Written 20 March 2017
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