Located southeast of Beirut, the region comprises a narrow coastal strip, notable for the town of Damour and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of Al-Barouk Mountain. The Emirs of Lebanon used to live in Shouf, most notably Emir Bachir Chehab II, who built the magnificent Beiteddine Palace during the first half of the 19th century.

Shouf is an existing testimony to the harmony between the different sects present in Lebanon.

This makes it officially the best-preserved Lebanese district. Its nature has been generally spared from the severe building trend that has spoiled throughout its neighborhoods.

The biggest forest of the Cedars of Lebanon is found on the flanks of Barouk Mountain and has an area of 550 km2 (210 sqm), which comprises nearly 5.3% of the Lebanese territory.

Another historical town is Deir al Qamar, located just below Beiteddine. Baakline, is another large and historic town in Shouf; it used to be the capital of old Mountain of Lebanon, where Emir Fakher El-Deen II was born.

Villages of Shouf: Ainbal, Ain Qani, Ammatour, Anout, Baadarâne, Baakline, Barja, Barouk, Batloun, Beqaata, Beitedine, Beykoun, Bsaba, Bourjain, Boutmeh, Brih, Chhime, Dahr El Maghara, Dalhoun, Damour, Daraya, Deir el Qamar, Dibbiyeh (Fairuz’s village), Gharife, Haret Jandal, Fouara, Jahlieh, Jba'a, Jdaideh, Jiyyeh, Joun (Nasri Shamseddine's village), Kahlouniye, Kfarfakoud, Mazboud, Mazraat el Shouf, Maasser Beiteddine, Moukhtara, Mristi, Mtolleh, Niha Chouf (Wadih El Safi's village), Serjbel, Shheem, Zaarourieh, and Wadi el Sett.

ABOUT SHOUF BIOSPHERE RESERVE

The largest of Lebanon nature reserves, Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve stretches from Dahr Al-Baidar in the north to Niha Mountain in the south. blanketed with oak forests on its northeastern slopes and juniper and oak forests on its southeastern slopes the reserves most famous attractions are its three magnificent cedar forests of Maasser Al-Shouf , Barouk and Ain Zhalta - Bmohary . These Cedar forests account for a quarter of the remaining cedar forest in Lebanon , and some tress are estimated to be 2,000 years old. The size of the reserve makes it a good location for the conservation of medium size mammals such as the wolf and the Lebanese jungle cat, as well as various species of mountain and plants.
The Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is a popular destination for hiking and trekking, with trails matching all levels of fitness. Bird watching, mountain biking and snow shoeing are also popular. From the summit of the rugged mountains, visitors will have a panoramic view of the countryside, eastward to the Beqaa Valley and Qaraoun Lake, and westward toward the Mediterranean.

For More Details:
Website: http://www.shoufcedar.org/
Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/shoufcedar.org
Twitter:https://twitter.com/CedarReserve
YouTube link:https://www.youtube.com/user/ShoufCedar
TripAdviser:Shouf_Biosphere_Reserve-Lebanon
Email:info@shoufcedar.org
Phone Number:009615350250 / 150