LMT Section 7: From Qozhaya to Bcharre

This section allows hikers to explore in detail the monuments and nature of the Ouadi Qannoubine, one of the two major valleys that form the Qadisha Valley (وادي قاديشا) World Heritage site. Ouadi Qannoubine is readily accessible all year long. It is deeply revered by tourists and pilgrims alike. Main highlights include monasteries, chapels and hermitages cut into the rock face of the valley. The river that carves out the floor of the valley has water flowing only in the springtime. The views east toward the high peaks of the Lebanon mountains and the ancient stand of cedar trees above Bcharre are spectacular.

On this section, you will find other blazes than the LMT in red and white, yellow and white, and blue and white. These marks belong to a network of trails that you should not follow if you are walking on the LMT.

Steps & Interest Points

Main points of interest on the trail

In addition to the magnificent views and landscapes that reveal themselves along the road, the path is dotted with several points of interest.

Restaurant Abou Joseph

Monastery of Saint Elichaa

Monastère Notre Dame de Qannoubine

Monastère Saint Antoine de Qozhaya

Vallée de Qannoubine

Vallée de Qozhaya

Step 1 - To the hamlet of el Fraidis

Start near Qozhaya Monastery and take the trail passing onto the orchards. Take a footpath downhill, cross the water metal pipes, reach the hamlet of el Fraidis, cross it and walk on another footpath.

Step 2 - To the monastery of Our Lady of Qannoubine

Once you are on a concrete canal, continue and few meters and climb left toward the monastery of Our Lady of Qannoubine. Continue down the footpath to the same water canal.
After passing the restaurant of Abou Joseph, make sure not to take the dirt road but follow a path to the right, later it will lead you to the same dirt road.

Step 3 - Towards Becharré village

At the end of this road before reaching the restaurants take a paved road to the left toward Mar Elichaa monastery. The path start to climb toward Bcharre village at the second turn to the left, be careful from the steep ascent and delicate passages secured with chains.

This section ends at the info panel on the main paved road.

Important to know

There are some difficult and slippery passages along this section; the trail consists of dirt and paved roads, footpaths, goat trails and water canals.
This section is completely marked. There are other way marking signs along this section (white and yellow), if you are using the LMT trails stay always on the white and purple marking.
If you plan to walk alone, please inform the LMTA about the dates of your trip at [email protected] and ask for the GPS track.
For your stay, contact the guesthouse or the guide few days before you start your trip.

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