Highlights
The largest stands of the world famous Cedars of Lebanon
All contributions are used to empower local villages and farmers
Rich flora and medicinal plants with a high economic value
Interesting wildlife and crossroads for bird migration between Europe, Africa, and West Asia
Open daily from 9 AM till 6 PM
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Details
Be amazed by natural views and witness the existence of 31 species all in one place! Benefit from a 50% discount on Entrance for Two to the Magnificent Shouf Biosphere Reserve, only $4.6 instead of $9.3.
Dazzling natural sceneries await you!
Need to Know (Terms)
About Shouf Biosphere Reserve
One of Lebanon's largest nature reserves, Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve stretches from Dahr Al-Baidar in the north to Niha Mountain in the south. Blanketed with oak forests on its northeastern slopes and juniper and oak forests on its southeastern slopes the reserve's most famous attractions are its three magnificent cedar forests of Maasser Al-Shouf, Barouk and Ain Zhalta. From the summit of the rugged mountains, visitors will have a panoramic view of the countryside, eastward to the Beqa'a Valley, Ammiq wetland and Qaraoun Lake, and westward toward the Mediterranean.
The biosphere reserve helps ensure the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the region by encouraging wise use of natural and human resources, the reserve is perfect for adventure-goers and hikers and a great destination for hiking and trekking. Every year countless storks, birds of prey and other migrants pass over the Shouf Biosphere Reserve and use it as a roosting site, the region contains 31 species of reptiles, including chameleon, tortoise, and several species of snakes, lizards, frogs, toads and mammals. Among the countless cedars available, you can see the Cedrus Libnani which is the cedar represented in our Lebanese flag and it's wider than a 12-man circumference, the Lamartine Cedar is one of the most beautifully shaped cedar trees in the world, the French poet Lamartine used to get inspired and write under its shade.
At the reserve, you can visit the Fortress of Niha (also called Cave of Tyron in Frankish sources and Chquif Tayroun in arabic sources) which is an ancient fortress in Lebanon that has been first mentioned in 975 AD. It is located in Niha village, and is today visited as cultural heritage in the Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve and one of its entrances. During your visit, you can check out the Roch Hyrax which is a unique and strange mammal that belongs to the same order as elephants, however, these small mammals have many unique structural peculiarities they use vocalization for communication. More than 250 km of hiking trails are available in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve extending from the highest mountain peaks to the lowest river beds designed to satisfy a wide range of visitors.
Shouf Biosphere Reserve 1 location
Maaser
Al-Shouf
Lebanon