08 Dec 2018

Hiking Trip - Lamartine Valley - Baabda District

  • “From this place, God's gift to perceive His Work can be captured through glimpse.”
    Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869).

    Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869), the French poet and politician, lived in Lebanon during his voyage to the Orient. He loved it and got inspired by it. There are many places in Lebanon named after him. One of them is Lamartine Valley which was the source of inspiration to some of his literature masterpieces.

    There are many sections in Lamartine valley suitable for hiking. We will do several this year, starting with Ras el Metn.

    Ras el Metn is known for its pine trees that surround the village and are a source of valuable pine nuts. Olives, grapes, figs, apricots and other fruits are cultivated there as well.
    A look around Ras El Metn will reveal a number of interesting sights: a large serial (1755), Nabaa Ain El Marj (1472), ancient tombs carved into rocky cliffs, and grottos.
    You will see an old abandoned monastery, Deir Mar Youhana. It is located at a hilltop in Shehlen, where you can see the whole region from Bhamdoun to Ktaleh.

    The hike will be divided into three levels:
    LEVEL 3 (6.5 km) will be an easy one, mostly flat and downhill, with a descent of 280 meters. The hike will start from Ras el Metn. You will walk among pine trees and see old abandoned houses and bridges.
    You will see the water source of Nabeh el Delbi, which supplies Beirut with drinking water. There, you’ll wait by the river, while the other levels go uphill to Deir Mar Youhana. Then you will continue altogether along the river bank, and end the hike at Ain Sheikh Hassan Halawi, another fresh water source.

    LEVEL 4 (8.5 km) will take the same track as level 3 but with an extra uphill stretch that leads to Deir Mar Youhana in Shehlen.
    LEVEL 6 (13.5 km) will start from the village of Qortada. The trail starts with downhill and uphill stretches until the water source of Ras el Metn. From there, another uphill stretch will take you to the trail of level 4, and continue along it until Ain Sheikh Hassan Halawi.

    All levels will meet for lunch at the river bank.

    At the end of the hike, you will take the bus to the village, to see the Serail and the municipality of Ras el Metn.
    On a high hill stands the large serail, or government house, built by the Lamaayeen princes in 1775. The huge building later served as a high school. Although damaged in Lebanon's recent war, one can still appreciate the serail's elegant courtyard and bell tower.

    WHERE: Lamartine Valley
    Ras El Metn
    Mount Lebanon
    800 m above sea level
    20 km from Beirut

    WHEN: Saturday, Dec 08

    MEETING PLACE: 7:30 AM in the parking of Sagesse School in Jdeideh, facing the public garden.

    PRICE: 55,000 LL per person including transport, guides, and insurance. (Please get the exact change to facilitate and speed up the registration process).

    SPECIAL RATES:
    - Children with the age of 10 and younger will have a discount of 10’000 LBP
    - Children/ Teenagers between the age of 11 and 15 will have a discount of 5’000 LBP
    - University students will have a discounts of 5’000 LBP provided that they have their university card
    - Groups with 5 or more persons, with different criteria than the above, will get a 5’000 LBP discount


    PAYMENT TERMS:
    - Cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged half-price
    - Reservations with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charge and extra 5’000 LBP
    (e.g. Cancelling or booking for a Sunday’s event on Saturday will be subject to the above terms)


    ESSENTIAL ECOTOURISTIC RULES & REGULATIONS
    - Smoking is strictly prohibited during the event
    - Always follow the guide on the designated trail
    - Do not go off road without notifying the guide
    - Do not get close to a cliff especially when the guide in charge tells you not to do so
    - Although accidents are covered by the insurance but they remain under the responsibility of the member

    WHAT TO GET: Get some light snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits. Pack your backpacks with, water, lunch, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. Don’t forget a jacket because it gets cold in the shade. Wear hiking shoes or comfortable walking shoes.

    RESERVATION: For reservation call 79-115001 or 03-917190. It is preferable to send an SMS from your mobile, giving your name, surname, and the event you wish to join in.

    NB: Sometimes, due to reasons beyond our control, slight modifications to the program may occur.
    Ecotourism rules must be followed, otherwise personal accidents will not be accounted for by the insurance.

    Regards,
    Vamos Todos
Reserve for this Event
First Name
Last Name
Email
Cell #
Remarks
(Optional)

Back to all the Events