If you stay in Ain Zhalta, you will have to return to the Ain Zhalta nature reserve entry point to start on section 18. Begin walking down a very beautiful track single-file past the directional sign showing the top of the mountain. It leads you into the cedar forest and towards the guard hut and the hill lake. After that you arrive at the ridge line from where you continue along the dirt road for nearly two hours until you reach the lake. Then either continue on towards the Maaser el Chouf reserve entry point or turn right to descend to el Barouk nature reserve gate. You can walk along the main paved road or, if you prefer, take a track which starts just below it to reach the el Barouk entrance. Finally, in the same way as you did at Ain Zhalta, you can follow the road from the entry point to el Barouk village.
This entire section is bike friendly.
Important to know:
