The Baatara Gorges Waterfall, known by various names including Gouffre de la cascade de Baatara, Gouffre des Trois Ponts, or Balouh Balaa, stands as a remarkable natural spectacle nestled in the heart of the picturesque region of Chatine village in Lebanon, near Balaa.
Plunging dramatically into a deep chasm of around 250 meters, this waterfall cascades into the depths of Balaa, a cave intricately carved within the Jurassic limestone.
Nature's artistry has shaped three successive natural bridges, elegantly layered, spanning a precipitous gorge within the heart of Mount Lebanon. Springtime, heralding the onset of snowmelt, witnesses the waterfall in its full splendor. Though often dry in summer, the abyss remains an awe-inspiring marvel.
French bio-speleologist Henri Coiffait introduced the Baatara Gorge chasm and its cavity to the Western world in 1952. Since then, it has been meticulously mapped and studied. In the 1980s, the Speleo Club of Lebanon meticulously charted the area, unveiling the intricate details of this geological wonder.
An experiment conducted in 1988, employing a fluorescent dye, affirmed that water resurfaces at the source of Dalleh in Mgharet al-Ghaouaghir, located near Balaa.
Notably, this geological marvel finds its place along the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT). Journeying from Laklouk to Tannourine, the route guides travelers through Balaa village. A brief five-minute excursion into the valley below unveils the mesmerizing place.
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