Touring & Hiking
DISCOVER RURAL BATROUN
Dar Nour can organize for you Tours and Hikes upon request
Touring & Hiking in rural Batroun can offer so many itineraries and options . Many tracks, programs and tours are available and can be organized with site visits, activities and hikes for half days or full days. All kind of tourism can be found in the area (Wine Tourism, Religious Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Ecotourism….). We guarantee that each one of you will find attractions and experiences that correspond to your interests, priorities and budget. We Can suggest to you some itineraries, experiences and visits but please note that a lot more can be offered! Do not hesitate to contact us to tailormade your stay in the area.
Smar Jbeil: A village worth the visit: Smar Jbeil ( 8 mn away from Dar Nour) is known as one of the oldest Lebanese villages. It contains many remains dating back to the Canaanites and Phoenicians, such as catacombs, sarcophagi, mills, wells…. The village, and especially the fortress, is built on a rocky cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its churches are historical and miraculous. Mar Nohra is a Lebanese Saint, the patron saint of the eyes and the sense of sight. The blessed water in the church and at his well in front of the fortress is renowned for its miraculous virtues for healing the eye problems. The old church of Saydet El Maounat just behind Mar Nohra have a century old oak as a ceiling.
Kfifane & Jrabta: Benedictions, graces & Miracles: The Saints Route project aim to link villages in Batroun and Byblos governorates, to link Batroun, Edde, Jran, Derya, Douk, Mayfouq, and Annaya, going through the saint’s sanctuaries of Charbel, Rafqa and Hardini. The two major sanctuaries in the area of Saint Hardini and Saint Rafqa are only 5 minutes away from Dar Nour. The famous monastery of Mar Cyprianos wa Justine (Saints Cyprian and Justina Monastery) Sanctuary of Saint Hardini and the beatified Estephan Nehme is Iocated In the deep “wilderness” east of Batroun. Surrounded by vineyards, olive and fruit trees, the monastery lies at the heart of a beautiful green landscape. The monastery of Kfifane has become famous, a unique place of national pilgrimage with its saint and saint-to-be, Saint Hardini and the beatified Estephan Nehme. It has become a national pilgrimage site for Christians as well as Muslims, who have noted that many miracles take place after visits to the sanctuary.
The Monastery of Mar Youssef Al Dahr at Jrabta is surrounded by ancient trees and olive fields. The monastery lies at the heart of a lonely region notable for its savage beauty. The monastery offers a lot of attractions as the church hosting the tomb of the saint, the Museum of the saint, a beautiful esplanade and an ethnographic museum.
In Ain Kfaa you will discover the beautiful House Museum of the Lebanese Poet Maroun Abboud. Continue to Sghar through Olive Trees groves to arrive to the Rocky miraculous sanctuary of Our Lady of the beast ( Saydet Qattine- Saydet El Bzaz), an old abandoned hermitage but a lively sanctuary still visited by Women in need of children. From Sghar you need half an hour to reach Dar Nour in Chabtine and enjoy a Yummy lunch under the vines trellis Ijdabra, Ibrine, Kfiane to Chabtine: Benedictions, graces & Miracles. The route will begin in IJdabra where you will be able to admire the biggest inhabited Cross in the world (an impressive project still under construction). Continue to Ibrine to visit the Deir El Ayleh El Moukadassah (Holy Family Monastery), Sanctuary of the Patriarch Elias El Howayek. Ibrine is a beautiful village in rural Batroun. The mother convent of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family is located on a hill northwest of Ibrine village. The great value of the monastery comes from the presence of blessed sanctuary of the Patriarch Elias El Howayek. The domain of the monastery is also very nice, including the church, the crypt with the tomb of the Patriarch, the museum, the gardens….
Kfifane is only 5 kilometer far from Ibrine, where we will visit the famous monastery of Mar Cyprianos wa Justine (Saints Cyprian and Justina Monastery) Sanctuary of Saint Hardini and the beatified Estephan Nehme . In the deep “wilderness” east of Batroun, some distance from Jrabta where Saint Rafqa lived, is the monastery in Kfifane. Surrounded by vineyards, olive and fruit trees, the monastery lies at the heart of a beautiful green landscape. The monastery of Kfifane has become famous, a unique place of national pilgrimage with its saint and saint-to-be, Saint Hardini and the beatified Estephan Nehme. It has become a national pilgrimage site for Christians as well as Muslims, who have noted that many miracles take place after visits to the sanctuary. From there you only need 5 mn road to reach Dar Nour in Chabtine and enjoy a Yummy lunch under the vines trellis.
Douma, Bcheeleh, Assia, Chabtine: Douma, a typical Lebanese village with beautiful narrow streets, old souks and historical churches. After strolling in the old street of Douma we can take Bcheeleh direction to pass by the impressive century old olive tree. In Bcheeleh there is also nice hiking trail to discover and historical dozen of churches. After Bcheeleh, 10 minutes’ drive will take you to Assia to discover the traditional pottery workshops .
From there you only need 15 mn road to reach Dar Nour in Chabtine and enjoy a Yummy lunch under the vines trellis.
Mini Hikes in Chabtine: village will invite you to explore the old monastery of SS Serge and Bacchus, go to an area called Bawali' or enjoy green hills overlooking the area.
Go East to Bchaaleh: and explore well blazed and organised trails in the area. Trained local guides are available.
Go North to Nahr El Joz area: beautiful trails by the river are to be explored in Kfarhelda, Beit Chlala up to Tannourine Tahta.
Go South East to Ghalboun and Bejjeh: where a very active hiking club is organising hikes in the area, Droub Ghalboun.
Dar Nour can organize for you Tours and Hikes upon request
Touring & Hiking in rural Batroun can offer so many itineraries and options . Many tracks, programs and tours are available and can be organized with site visits, activities and hikes for half days or full days. All kind of tourism can be found in the area (Wine Tourism, Religious Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Ecotourism….). We guarantee that each one of you will find attractions and experiences that correspond to your interests, priorities and budget. We Can suggest to you some itineraries, experiences and visits but please note that a lot more can be offered! Do not hesitate to contact us to tailormade your stay in the area.
Cultural discoveries just few kilometers away from Dar Nour
Rachana & Edde: Modern and Medieval Art: In Rachana ( 10 mn away from Dar Nour) you can visit many art workshops as the one of Anashar, Samir and Nabil Basbous and have the chance to see an artist from Basbous family at work. Visit the open air museum of sculptures, the Symposium in the end of the village. The small historical medieval church of Mar Saba in Edde village Batroun (7 mn away from Dar Nour) is noted mainly for its fine wall paintings dating from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Mar Mema medieval church is also to be visited.
Smar Jbeil: A village worth the visit: Smar Jbeil ( 8 mn away from Dar Nour) is known as one of the oldest Lebanese villages. It contains many remains dating back to the Canaanites and Phoenicians, such as catacombs, sarcophagi, mills, wells…. The village, and especially the fortress, is built on a rocky cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its churches are historical and miraculous. Mar Nohra is a Lebanese Saint, the patron saint of the eyes and the sense of sight. The blessed water in the church and at his well in front of the fortress is renowned for its miraculous virtues for healing the eye problems. The old church of Saydet El Maounat just behind Mar Nohra have a century old oak as a ceiling.
Kfifane & Jrabta: Benedictions, graces & Miracles: The Saints Route project aim to link villages in Batroun and Byblos governorates, to link Batroun, Edde, Jran, Derya, Douk, Mayfouq, and Annaya, going through the saint’s sanctuaries of Charbel, Rafqa and Hardini. The two major sanctuaries in the area of Saint Hardini and Saint Rafqa are only 5 minutes away from Dar Nour. The famous monastery of Mar Cyprianos wa Justine (Saints Cyprian and Justina Monastery) Sanctuary of Saint Hardini and the beatified Estephan Nehme is Iocated In the deep “wilderness” east of Batroun. Surrounded by vineyards, olive and fruit trees, the monastery lies at the heart of a beautiful green landscape. The monastery of Kfifane has become famous, a unique place of national pilgrimage with its saint and saint-to-be, Saint Hardini and the beatified Estephan Nehme. It has become a national pilgrimage site for Christians as well as Muslims, who have noted that many miracles take place after visits to the sanctuary.
The Monastery of Mar Youssef Al Dahr at Jrabta is surrounded by ancient trees and olive fields. The monastery lies at the heart of a lonely region notable for its savage beauty. The monastery offers a lot of attractions as the church hosting the tomb of the saint, the Museum of the saint, a beautiful esplanade and an ethnographic museum.
Cultural Routes leading to Dar Nour
Gharzouz, Maad, Ain Kfaa, Sghar, Chabtine: Visit the historical Orthodox Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Gharzouz, Continue toward Maad to visit St Charbel Maad with its medieval frescos and walk toward the church of St Rafqa enjoying the rural landscape.In Ain Kfaa you will discover the beautiful House Museum of the Lebanese Poet Maroun Abboud. Continue to Sghar through Olive Trees groves to arrive to the Rocky miraculous sanctuary of Our Lady of the beast ( Saydet Qattine- Saydet El Bzaz), an old abandoned hermitage but a lively sanctuary still visited by Women in need of children. From Sghar you need half an hour to reach Dar Nour in Chabtine and enjoy a Yummy lunch under the vines trellis Ijdabra, Ibrine, Kfiane to Chabtine: Benedictions, graces & Miracles. The route will begin in IJdabra where you will be able to admire the biggest inhabited Cross in the world (an impressive project still under construction). Continue to Ibrine to visit the Deir El Ayleh El Moukadassah (Holy Family Monastery), Sanctuary of the Patriarch Elias El Howayek. Ibrine is a beautiful village in rural Batroun. The mother convent of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family is located on a hill northwest of Ibrine village. The great value of the monastery comes from the presence of blessed sanctuary of the Patriarch Elias El Howayek. The domain of the monastery is also very nice, including the church, the crypt with the tomb of the Patriarch, the museum, the gardens….
Kfifane is only 5 kilometer far from Ibrine, where we will visit the famous monastery of Mar Cyprianos wa Justine (Saints Cyprian and Justina Monastery) Sanctuary of Saint Hardini and the beatified Estephan Nehme . In the deep “wilderness” east of Batroun, some distance from Jrabta where Saint Rafqa lived, is the monastery in Kfifane. Surrounded by vineyards, olive and fruit trees, the monastery lies at the heart of a beautiful green landscape. The monastery of Kfifane has become famous, a unique place of national pilgrimage with its saint and saint-to-be, Saint Hardini and the beatified Estephan Nehme. It has become a national pilgrimage site for Christians as well as Muslims, who have noted that many miracles take place after visits to the sanctuary. From there you only need 5 mn road to reach Dar Nour in Chabtine and enjoy a Yummy lunch under the vines trellis.Douma, Bcheeleh, Assia, Chabtine: Douma, a typical Lebanese village with beautiful narrow streets, old souks and historical churches. After strolling in the old street of Douma we can take Bcheeleh direction to pass by the impressive century old olive tree. In Bcheeleh there is also nice hiking trail to discover and historical dozen of churches. After Bcheeleh, 10 minutes’ drive will take you to Assia to discover the traditional pottery workshops .
From there you only need 15 mn road to reach Dar Nour in Chabtine and enjoy a Yummy lunch under the vines trellis.
Hiking trails around Dar Nour
From hard to easy:Mini Hikes in Chabtine: village will invite you to explore the old monastery of SS Serge and Bacchus, go to an area called Bawali' or enjoy green hills overlooking the area.
Go East to Bchaaleh: and explore well blazed and organised trails in the area. Trained local guides are available.
Go North to Nahr El Joz area: beautiful trails by the river are to be explored in Kfarhelda, Beit Chlala up to Tannourine Tahta.
Go South East to Ghalboun and Bejjeh: where a very active hiking club is organising hikes in the area, Droub Ghalboun.
Batroun Wine Route: Towards Dar Nour
Discover 8 wineries around Batroun has it own wine route "La Route des Vins du Nord". The route and wineries include Atibaia, Coteaux de Botrys, Clos de Phoenix, IXSIR Winery, Aurora Winery, Domains Najm, Chateau Sanctus and Batroun Mountains. Visits of wineries and wine tasting experiences can be organised for few hours, half day or a full day.