10 things to do in Ehden North of Lebanon

10 things to do in Ehden by Lebanon Traveler Mag

Ehden's full of great destinations for visitors and residents alike! Here are ten ways to spend a weekend at this quaint picturesque town.

1. Enjoy nature

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve located in North Lebanon, is a diverse and beautiful remnant of cedar forests, making the reserve a very important part of the country's cultural and natural heritage. Located on the northwestern slopes of Mount Lebanon and surrounded by mist and relatively high precipitation, the reserve has a multitude of rare and endemic plants that flourish in it.

A mixed forest of juniper, fir and the country's last protected community of wild apple trees, border patches of cedar. A number of water sources can be found in Horsh Ehden, the most important of which are Ain Al-Naasa, Nabaa Jouit and Ain Al-Baiada. During a peaceful hike through the forest, lucky visitors might spot an endangered Eastern Imperial Eagle or Bonelli's Eagle, a gray wolf, or a wildcat. The reserve's beautiful valleys and gorges, with their wild orchids, brightly colored salamanders, mushrooms, and other flora and fauna, are sure to soothe even the most anxious visitor.

The remote wilderness of parts of Horsh Ehden and of the adjacent mountain areas provides the ideal setting for walks and other outdoor activities.

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve +961 6 560590 / +961 70 601 601

2. Know its heroes

Yousef Bek Karam (May 5, 1823-April 7, 1889), whose statue can be seen in front of the St. Georges church, was a Lebanese leader who led the nationalist effort against the Ottoman Empire. He was an early advocate of forming a united world assembly that would protect the rights of small nations. He was also a champion of human rights, justice and freedom. He fought against tyranny, human rights abuses and social discrimination. Due to his high ethical standards, he refused to live the life of opulence and luxury.

Another local hero is Patriarch Estephan II Boutros El Douaihy. He was the Patriarch of the Maronite Church from 1670 to 1704 and is considered one of the major Lebanese historians of the 17th century. Douaihy strongly believed in the social importance of education and science. He pursued a successful policy of sending as many Maronites to Rome as possible, in order for them to return to their villages and raise the level of education. Douaihy established a college in Aleppo, which became the basis for the development of renewed monastic orders.

Gabriel Sionite was famous for his role in the publication of the 1645 Parisian polyglot of the Bible. Although Sionite came to Rome at the age of seven, he always considered Arabic as his mother tongue. In Rome, he learned Latin and Syriac. He studied theology, and went into the priesthood at age 45 in Paris.

3. Tour the churches

St. Sarkis Monastery overlooks Ehden, Kfarsghab, Bane and Hadath El Jebbeh. Given its exceptional location commanding the valley at 1500 meters altitude, the monastery is called the Watchful Eye of Qadisha. It is dedicated to Saints Sarkis and Bakhos (Saints Sergius and Bacchus). The monastery belongs to the Lebanese Antonin Maronite Order, a monastic order founded on August 15, 1700 by the Maronite Patriarch Gabriel Al Blouzani from Blaouza.

Among the many famous churches is Saint Mamas (Mar Mema), which is the oldest Maronite church in Lebanon, built in 749 CE on the remains of a pagan temple, while Sayidat Al Hosn, Church of Our Lady of the Fort, was built over the remains of a Crusader castle, hence the amazing view that it commands. Saint Moura was built in 1339 and witnessed the founding of the Lebanese Maronite Monastic Order in 1695. The cathedral of St. Georges, with its seven altars, houses the mausoleum of Yousef Bek Karam, while his statue and that of Gabriel Sionite stand in the courtyard.

4. Get an eyeful

Catch the sunset at Saydit El Hosn from where you can see the entire north side of Lebanon, stretching from the Syrian coast to Chekka.

You can also take a walk on the pass for a breathtaking view of the valley.

5. Learn the history

The Monastery of St. Antonios Qozhaya is the birth place of the first printing press in the Middle East. Some historians believe it was built in 1584. Its first printed text is The Book of Psalms, which can actually be found at the library of the University of the Holy Spirit in Kaslik. It dates back to 1610. The Lebanese Maronite Order renovated the printing press at the start of the nineteenth century. Its activities were halted at the beginning of the 1860 war. It resumed printing in 1871, but stopped again at the beginning of World War ll.

6. Take in the local culture

A trip to Ehden is not complete without a visit to Al Midan, a historic public square, surrounded by typical Lebanese architecture and filled with cafes, patisseries and restaurants. Al Midan is the place to be 24 hours a day. Take a stroll in the early morning and you can smell the Turkish coffee with cardamom. At noon have a leisurely lunch under the shade of the colored umbrellas. After a cup of tea, nibble on local sweets up at the pass. In the evening, the shisha smoke rises above the sound of merriment during dinner. Then, end the day with a sip of sahleb to warm you up.

7. Take a break

Sama Ehden has a whole series of activities for little ones, while Ehden Adventures and Ehden Mountain Activity are great for outdoor activities for adults such as; hiking, paragliding, rappelling, caving, etc… Kroum Ehden will open in July with a fun water park and beautiful gardens. Eleven luxury chalets with private lap pools and Jacuzzis set within a larger fun pool, offer overnight stays while day trips are also available in the garden. Look for musical and cultural events, as well as surprise pool parties.

Sama Ehden +961 70 070095
Ehden Adventures +961 3 491493
Kroum Ehden +961 70 722502
Ehden Mountain Activity +961 3 754928

8. Try the food

Vegetarians beware! This is the place for kibbeh. Try all the different kinds, from kibbeh nayye (raw meat) to kibbeh krass, the specialty of the region, which is basically grilled meat, shaped into a ball. Whether for lunch or dinner, one of the many outdoor restaurants specializing in Lebanese cuisine in Mar Sarkis, or on the pass with amazing views of the Qadisha Valley, will definitely offer a treat. One of the better known restaurants, Al Fardous has a great mountain view. However, there are many more traditional Lebanese restaurants to choose from. For something different try French cuisine at Pinch, with its marvelous view of apple and pear orchards.

Al Fardous +691 6 560605
Al Wadi +961 6 560332
Adan +961 561 332
Nabaa Jouit +961 3 751292
Pinch +961 3 823900

9. Join the festival

Summer in Lebanon is always fun-filled thanks to the number of local festivals in towns and villages throughout the country. With the Ehdeniyat international Festival 2012, hundreds of people are expected to flock to Ehden to enjoy its lively atmosphere and talented performers. The festival is representative of both the traditional and modern cultures found in Ehden.

Ehdeniyat.com

10. Stay the night

Accommodation in Ehden ranges from high-end hotels to quaint cabins. A charming local family runs the La Reserve wooden huts, on the edge of the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve. Beit el Ward, a 19th century mansion, has been stunningly renovated into a boutique hotel on the town's busy Al Midan square. Other hotels include Ehden Country Club, Abchi Hotel, Belmont Hotel, Ehden Hotel, Centre Nabeh Jouit and La Mairie Hotel.

La Reserve +961 3 751292
Beit el Ward +961 6 561016
Ehden Country Club +961 6 560550
Abshi Hotel +961 6 561101
Belmont Hotel +961 6 560102
Ehden Hotel +961 6 560100
Centre Nebeh Jouit Hotel +961 6 561310
La Mairie Hotel +961 6 560108