Although every country has its own natural destinations and places that manifest in various phenomena such as mountains, seas, and more, the nature of Lebanon is uniquely what has made Lebanon the Bride of the Middle East. Its pleasant air and mild climate have turned Lebanon into a natural destination that attracts millions of tourists every year. This article presents the best natural places recommended for a visit in Lebanon, from the magical Baatara Gorge Waterfall, which passes through three layers of caves, to Lake Showan with its waterfalls cascading down rocky masses.
1. Baatara Gorge Waterfall
The Baatara Gorge Waterfall in northern Lebanon, specifically between the towns of Laqlouq and Tannourine, is one of the most unparalleled waterfalls in the world. The Baatara Gorge Waterfall is located 21 kilometres north of Beirut.
The Baatara Gorge Waterfall flows into a cave formed of three levels, meaning that the waterfall’s waters have carved openings in the limestone rocks to make their way downward.
Standing on the edge overlooking this valley, one can watch the waterfall as it descends from a height of 250 metres, and one can also observe the three layers through which the waterfall passes on its way down.
A visit to this waterfall is recommended in spring, especially during the months of March and April. Among the activities that can be enjoyed when travelling to the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, one can go rowing inside the Baatara cave and admire the most beautiful geometric formations that the limestone has created within this cave.
2. Jeita Grotto; the Longest Cave in the Middle East
Jeita Grotto is one of the most extraordinary and beautiful caves in the Middle East. This grotto, with a length of nearly 9 kilometres, is one of the best recommended places to visit in Beirut.
Jeita Grotto is located 20 kilometres north of the city of Beirut. According to documents found inside the grotto, it was once a dwelling place for a group of prehistoric humans.
Jeita Grotto consists of two levels: the upper cave and the lower cave.
Viewing the lower cave by boat is one of the most beautiful experiences, as it affords the visitor a sight of the most extraordinary and beautiful geometric formations created by crystalline shapes and limestone stalactites, while one can also walk through the upper cave and enjoy the wonders it holds.
Qadisha Valley (Qannoubine)
Qadisha Valley, which lies between the towns of Bcharre and Zgharta, is another of Lebanon’s natural wonders.
This valley, located 120 kilometres from the capital Beirut, has been inscribed on the UNESCO list owing to its unparalleled and breathtaking beauty.
Another characteristic that adds to the importance of this valley is that it served as a refuge for Christian communities throughout distant centuries, and for this reason the valley is called the Holy Valley, as the word ‘Qadisha’ itself means ‘holy’ in the Aramaic language.
Deir Qannoubine, Deir Qozhaya, Deir Our Lady of Hawqa, Deir Mar Sarkis, and Deir Mar Elisha are among the most beautiful monasteries that can be visited in Qadisha Valley.
The gorges carved into the heart of the valley, the caves and grottos, the beautiful and awe-inspiring views, and especially the sight of the magnificent cedar forests, are among the most beautiful experiences one can have in Qadisha Valley.
Lake Showan
Lake Showan, also known as the Paradise of Showan, is one of the most beautiful lakes recommended for nature lovers to visit, especially those who wish to enjoy natural destinations around Beirut, as this lake is only 40 kilometres from Beirut.
Lake Showan is surrounded by various types of trees, including pine and oak. This lake is one of the top destinations favoured by Lebanese people and tourists for walking and enjoying the beauty of nature.
The beautiful green trees overlooking Lake Showan, the plants filling the gaps between the rocks, and the sound of singing birds make a person feel as though they are completely cut off from the world.
Boating and rowing on Lake Showan and reaching the waterfalls that cascade down the rocky masses are among the most beautiful things one can do at this destination.
The Cedars of God Forest
The Cedars of God Forest is located near Qadisha Valley, specifically in the Bcharre region. This forest and its cedar trees are a symbol of Lebanon, just as we see the cedar tree on the Lebanese flag.
This forest is considered one of the most important forests in human history, as the Phoenicians, Persians, Assyrians, Romans, and other civilisations used the timber of these forests for their crafts.
In addition to the beautiful greenery and the unparalleled natural views that can be seen in this forest, legends tell that the Cedars of God serve as a guardian that protects Lebanon, and there are also extensive references to this land and the cedar tree of God in Christian scriptures.
Bkassine Forest; an Endless Pine Paradise
The Bkassine region is home to the largest pine forest in the Middle East, and the village of Bkassine is listed among the best tourist villages in the world. The area of the stone pine forest in this region spans 200,000 hectares. These trees serve as the green lungs that purify the air of Lebanon, especially southern Lebanon.
When a person looks down upon the pine forest from above, they see nothing but the colour green and trees of one appearance and one form.
The beautiful rural houses located near this forest, having preserved their beauty and their old, harmonious architecture, are among the man-made landmarks that have added to the beauty of Bkassine.
Palm Islands Nature Reserve
The Palm Islands Nature Reserve is a reserve made up of three islands.
This reserve is located approximately 6 kilometres northwest of Tripoli. It attracts many travellers every year to enjoy the beauty of the natural diversity in this area, where they can discover various species of birds, plants, and animals, especially sea turtles, as this island is one of the important nesting sites for endangered sea turtles.
Summer is the best time to visit the Palm Islands Nature Reserve to enjoy swimming, diving, and walking, while the remaining seasons of the year may be the best for watching migratory birds, turtles, and wildlife. T
his reserve has an ancient well with fresh water, and there are also artefacts that speak of traditional seafaring.
Jezzine Waterfalls
The Jezzine natural waterfalls are among the most beautiful destinations recommended for a visit in southern Lebanon. This natural waterfall, which stands at approximately seventy metres, is distinguished by its unique and breathtaking location.
To reach this waterfall, one must walk a distance through green trees, caves, and rocks before finally arriving at this site.
The Jezzine waterfalls spring from a high point in the mountains, and one can also see a wide expanse of green, leafy trees by standing either at the upper side of the waterfall or even at the lower side.
One of the beautiful experiences that can be had when visiting the Jezzine waterfalls is trying the delicious Lebanese food offered by the restaurants around the Jezzine waterfall.
Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve
Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is considered one of the most important and beautiful reserves in northern Lebanon. Pine, wild apple, cedar, and oak trees are among the trees that can be seen in this reserve.
Various species of plants and rare types of flowers can be seen in Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, which is considered the second greatest nature reserve in Lebanon.
This reserve teems with insects, butterflies, mammals, and birds, and is considered one of the most beautiful destinations for wildlife enthusiasts.
One can experience skiing on the snow in winter in this area, and walking and enjoying the beauty of this nature is recommended in spring.
Raouche Rock
Raouche Rock is one of Lebanon’s natural landmarks. In fact, Raouche Rock consists of two rocks located near the Raouche coast in Beirut. The large rock stands seventy metres tall, while the smaller one may be around 25 metres.
This rock, which is said to have emerged in the form of an island in the sea as a result of earthquakes dating back to the thirteenth century, is one of the tourist landmarks of the city of Beirut.
Although it is not possible to stand on these two rocks, rowing around the Raouche rocks, as well as passing through the interior of the large rock and taking photographs, are experiences that have delighted many tourists who have visited Beirut.
To find out which of Lebanon’s landmarks are internationally registered, you can refer to the UNESCO World Heritage List in Lebanon.