When the summer heat makes mountain hiking a slog, we go to the river. Nahr El Joz — the 'River of Walnuts' — flows down from the high plateaus through Kfarhelda in the Batroun district, carving pools, small falls, and shaded banks that feel ten degrees cooler than the coast.
The route
The classic club outing follows the river upstream from Kfarhelda: about 8 km round trip with a gentle 250–300 m of gain. The path alternates between riverside trail, walnut and oak shade, and rocky banks. There are natural swim stops along the way — the water is cold, clear, and irresistible.
Why we love it
- Swimming holes deep enough for a proper dip
- Dense shade — one of the few summer hikes without sun exposure
- Riverside restaurants in Kfarhelda for a post-hike dinner
- Beautiful at golden hour — we start at 5:00 PM and walk into the sunset
Practical tips
Bring swim shoes or sandals you don't mind getting wet; some pools require a short wade. Water flow is strongest in spring, warmest (relatively!) in late summer. And as always on rivers — leave the banks cleaner than you found them.
