The Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) is the country's long-distance masterpiece: roughly 470 km of waymarked footpath running from Andqet in the far north to Marjaayoun in the south, passing through more than 76 towns and villages. Thru-hikers take about a month. The rest of us hike it the smart way — one beautiful section at a time.
Why it's special
The LMT deliberately routes through villages, not around them. You sleep in guesthouses, eat in family kitchens, and walk ancient footpaths that connected these communities for centuries before roads existed. It is as much a cultural journey as a physical one.
Great sections for a day or weekend
- Andqet to Ehden — cedars, high ridges, and Qobayat's forests
- Ehden to Bsharri — the roof of the north, skirting the Qadisha rim
- Tannourine to Bqaa Safrine — cedar forests and Roman remains
- Ain Zhalta to Barouk — the heart of the Chouf cedar reserve
How to start
Pick a section, arrange transport at both ends (or hike out-and-back), download the LMT maps or GPX tracks, and book village guesthouses ahead on weekends. Water sources exist but are seasonal — ask locals, and carry more than you think.
Many Assia Wanderers members are slowly 'completing' the LMT section by section. It's the best long-term hiking goal in the country — and every section finished is a story.
