CAZA:
Shouf
1200- 1950m Etymology:
Syriac origin, "Maasarto", meaning "olive presses" and "Shoufo", meaning "magic"The village of Maasser el Shouf offers a panoramic view of Anti-Lebanon range, Mount Hermon, the irrigated plains of West Beqaa and lake Qaraoun, not to mention the view of the Shouf and the Mediterranean Sea. Labelled as a “zero pollution” village by UNESCO, Maasser el Shouf is part of the Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, also recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 2005. This village is a haven of peace with its red tiled houses immersed in nature and its Roman ruins whose remains date back to the year 450 BC.
Must-do things
- Mar Mikhaël church
- The red-tiled houses and old stone constructions
- The old olive presses
- Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, home to more than 3 million trees and a wide variety of flora and fauna, recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a biosphere reserve
- The panoramic view of the Beqaa Valley, lake Qaroun and the Mediterranean Sea
- The summer festival “Jabalna” held in September
- The grape molasses production
- Local culinary specialties: Hot Tabbouleh (bourghol, hommos and awarma in a cabbage); Ammaycheh (kechek- cracked wheat and goat yoghurt); Kebbeh bi addas (Kebbeh of lentils)
- A hike in Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve
- The hiking trail, section 20, Maasser el-Shouf-Niha of 12.3 km (LMT association)
- The hiking trail, section 19, Barouk-Maasser el-Shouf of 10 Km (LMT association)
- The annual “Mechwar maa Meghwar” march with the Lebanese army in early summer
- The cave and fortress of Niha (Shouf)
- The labelled villages of Beiteddine, Deir el-Qamar, Mokhtara, Ain Zhalta and Baadarane
