Hidden Gems In Lebanon
1. Baatara Gorge Waterfall
The Balaa gorge sinkhole (Baatara gorge waterfall), is one of the hidden gems in lebanon known as Balou’ Bala’a is a waterfall in the Tannourine, Lebanon near Balaa.
As a matter of fact it drops 255 metres (837 ft) into the Balaa Pothole, a cave of Jurassic limestone located on the Lebanon Mountain Trail (MLT).
Also The cave is also known as the Cave of the Three Bridges. Traveling from Laklouk to Tannourine one passes the village of Balaa, and the Three Bridges Chasm (in French Gouffre des Trois Ponts) is a five-minute journey into the valley below where one sees three natural bridges, rising one above the other and overhanging a chasm descending into Mount Lebanon.
During the spring melt, a 90–100-metre (300–330 ft) cascade falls behind the three bridges and then down into the 240-metre (790 ft) chasm.
Discovered to the western world in 1952 by French bio-speleologist Henri Coiffait,the waterfall and accompanying sinkhole were fully mapped in the 1980s by the Spéléo club du Liban.A 1988 fluorescent dye test demonstrated that the water emerged at the spring of Dalleh in Mgharet al-Ghaouaghir(located near Balaa)
2. Chouwen Lake
The Chouwen Lake is one of the Hidden Places In Lebanon. It’s also part of the famous Ibrahim River where the water gathers, and appears as a lake.
It’s also part of the Jabal Moussa Biosphere reserve, and in order to get there; firstly you’d have to head on to Yahchouch, then on the road you will see a sign to Chouwen.
basically, you can follow the course of the road for about 15 minutes, but be very careful as the road gets small, and dangerous.
However just drive slowly and enjoy nature. If you are lucky enough you might also spot a squirrel on those pine trees (we did spot one, but he was faster than my hand to reach the camera).
The hike is almost 2 KM would lead you to the lake and another 2 KM from the lake. The hike contains both ascends and descends, you would think that you will be going all the way down because the lake is at the bottom, but it’s not the case, it’s actually almost 60/40 descending vs ascending.
It took us a little bit more than 1 hour each way, but we were slow because my wife is pregnant and of course, we were stopping taking photos all the time.
3. Aaqoura Lakes
The village of Akoura, and Laklouk Lakes is located in the district of Jbeil, Mount Lebanon.
It’s 68 Km from Beirut, and covers an area of 15.78 Km2. The origin of the name is Assyrian, meaning the cold well.
The history of this place goes back to the Roman era, and is one of Lebanon hidden gems. The view can be spot from Sayidat Al Qarn church. There is also a perfect stair to climb to the top, which is suitable for kids, and elders.
4. Jabal El Arbaaine
One of hidden gems Lebanon Jabal el Arbaaine, has beautiful panoramic views of the mountains, and Surroundings. It’s also the home to the highest swing in the middle east.
It is built on the top of Makmal Mountain Chain measuring around 1400 meters above the sea level.
This placement makes it actually very close to a 20m hanging bridge that’s made of transparent glass. As a matter of fact it can be used for paragliding, and skydiving purposes.
5. Tripoli Abandoned Train Station
Tripoli Abandoned Train Station which began operating in 1911, was connecting to the Syrian city, with a single track.
Nonetheless it formed the terminus of the Orient Express line in the twenties, thirties, and also in the forties.
It also connected the station of Beirut in 1945, but got destroyed in the civil war between 1975–1990