The magical Qozhaya Valley, trail from Hawqa

The magical Qozhaya Valley, trail from Hawqa

The view you get to see from the top of the valley at Ehden village is beyond imagination. Once there, you get the feeling of peace and tranquility. The spiritual atmosphere reigns over the entire valley.

HIKE LOCATION :

Qadicha Valley – Wadi Qozhaya/Bane – Mazraet el Nahr / Becharre and Zgharta Districts, in the north
, 1200 meters above sea level, 18 km from Tripoli.

WHEN :

Sunday, September 22, 2024

ENCOUNTER PLACE :

Mar Maroun Church Parking, Dora @ 7:30 AM

Driving directions to Mar Maroun https://dalecorazon.com/contact/
Or Martyrs Square at Al-Nahar Bldg., Beirut Downtown @ 7:10 AM

FEES:

20 $ /person or equivalent including transport (comfortable air-conditioned Pullman), professional guides, 5 minutes of warming up, stretching, and pictures.
Children 18 years old and younger will have a discount of 10%. (18 $/person)
Make your group of 5 persons (& more) and get a 10% discount (18 $ per person).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT:

Qadisha, one of the deepest and most beautiful valleys in Lebanon, is indeed a world apart. “Qozhaya” is of Syriac origin and means “the treasure of Life”. The Monastery of Qozhaya (Deir Mar Antonios Qozhaya – دير مارانطﻮنيوﺱ ﻗﺰحيا) sits on the opposite flank of the Qadisha from Qannoubin Monastery; it was first built at the beginning of the fourth century. It was several times looted, set on fire and razed to the ground, but there still remain vestiges dating back to the seventh century.
The Monastery is truly a national center of prayer, pilgrimage and tourism. It comprises a corridor, meeting room, museum and chapel, with a mill and a number of hermitages cut into the rock nearby. The story of the Monastery is the story of the Christians in Lebanon and in the Middle East, the story of cultural, economical, social and political development in the Lebanese society and in the region.

After about 1700 years, the Monastery continues to be a sign of faith and an expression of behavior.
It must be mentioned here that the Monastery of Qozhaya possesses a library containing archives, scholarly compendia and Syriac manuscripts. The first printing press in the Middle East (1584) was placed in this Monastery which still has the Scepter of St Louis, the King of France (1226-1270).

All the above-mentioned wealth, whether natural or cultural, pushed the UNESCO to register Monastery of St. Anthony Qozhaya on the list of International Patrimony under the number 850.

HIKING LEVEL. 1 to 3 for easy, 4 to 6 for intermediate, 7 to 9 for strenuous.
LEVEL 4 (around 7 km) will start from the village of Bane. After the visit, you will take a downhill easy trail for about 300 m. From there, you will continue our path of 3 km downhill to the valley, cut the path of a thick forest, and cross the beautiful waterfalls in the River of the Qadisha, and many of the ruins of old houses, stone bridges and hermitages until we reach the Monastery of Qozhaya where the lunch break will take.

From there you will take the bus to visit the historical “St. Michael’s Church”. There shrine the mortal remains of the parish priest Yousef Abi Maroun Maatouq (1847-1929), a Godly priest whose remains are still whole, knowing no decay until now.

After the visit you will take the bus to join the level 6 in the village of Fraydis.
LEVEL 5 (around 13 km) After the visit to the Monastery, you will have a long downhill hike for about 200 meters, seeing old cave churches. The trail will continue to Fraydis where you meet the other group at the village and continue together. The trail goes a bit further downhill, then it becomes straight all the way to Mazraet El-Nahr, seeing the water dam, Qadisha river, some old shacks and wonderful views.

WHAT TO TAKE:

Healthy snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits, lunch, water, cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Wear comfortable walking shoes (Professional brand is recommended) and don’t forget to get a light jacket. DC members get a 20% discount on sports equipment in Sports 4 Ever branches.
==There will be a breakfast stop along the way==

FOR RESERVATION AND INFO:

Please Call 03422 493 and by sending SMS, or WhatsApp mentions your name, surname, and the event you wish to join us on.