The Shouf Biosphere Reserve is the largest of Lebanon’s protected areas and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, covering the eastern and western slopes of the Barouk and Niha mountains. Cedar forests, oak woods, marked trails and villages such as Barouk, Maasser, Ain Zhalta and Niha form one landscape. It is the country’s main answer to anyone asking where to walk among Cedrus libani without going north to Bsharri. Gates have different trail lengths; start early, carry water and stay on the path. Beiteddine and Deir el Qamar sit on the doorstep for culture after the hike. This is the nature site that organises the whole upper Chouf.
