Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Mount Lebanon, Lebanon
Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is a protected area across the Barouk Mountains spanning roughly 550 square kilometers with Lebanon's largest cedar forest concentration. The woodlands grow between about 1200 and 1980 meters in elevation, interspersed with mountain villages and marked hiking trails.
The reserve was established in 1996 by the Ministry of Environment to protect Lebanon's largest cedar stands, with some trees reaching 2000 years old. Its creation responded to millennia of logging that had reduced these forests from coastal lowlands to high peaks.
About twenty-five mountain villages sit within the reserve, where Druze and Maronite communities have lived for generations amid the cedar forests. The settlements shape the landscape and show how people and nature exist side by side here.
Entry is through visitor centers at Barouk and Maaser, where marked trails of varying difficulty begin, and staff can provide local guidance. Check weather conditions for the elevation before visiting, and wear sturdy footwear suitable for mountain terrain.
A sponsorship program lets visitors support conservation by adopting individual cedar trees and placing personalized plaques to mark their contribution. This approach creates a personal link between traveler and forest in an unexpected way.
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