Arz Ehmej - Wadi el Siyyar - Tellaj - Wardiet - Wadi el Ghbar

Another hiking day in beautiful Ehmej. Starting from Arz Ehmej camping, we soon left the dirt road to enter "Wadi el Siyyar". This forest trail here is pleasant and well-marked in blue without technical difficulty. The only inconvenience is car engines' noise coming from Ehmej-Laklouk road not far from here. Qornet Hafroun is clearly seen from this part of the trail. After 2 km, you will reach the road going to Moukhada. Cross it and go up to the ponds "Jouwar el Naas". Enjoy amazing panaroma of Hafroun, Namroud and "El Zagh" mountain. Keep following the yellow signs until you see "purple and yellow" signs. This is where the "Tallej trail" intersects with LMT side trail from Aqoura to Ehmej. Follow the LMT side trail that goes up to Tellaj Ehmej. Once you reach Tellaj area, you will find metallic chains securing narrow passage. This part is not dangerous nor technical but people who fear heights may have hard time crossing this zone. Metallic chains are here to make you feel more secure. After Tellaj area, you will reach a kind of mountain pass with amazing sceneries all around. Best place to have lunch or coffee. From here, you start the descent following the well-maintained "purple and yellow" trail. "Ain bou Hmar" is on your way, where you can see water coming from rocks and a kind of stone well close to it. Soon after, you will reach again an asphalt road (the same that goes to Moukhada). Go right and continue on the road for 1 km. This small road is not busy and you will rarely encounter cars on your way. Take your left after "Wardiet campsite" and enter "Wadi el Ghbar". The upper part of this valley is beautiful, a real forest walk, particularly amazing in spring and autumn, but still attractive in winter. The end of "Wadi el Ghbar" is not nice, leading to a factory. You will have to walk then next to Ehmej- Laklouk main road to reach back "Arz Ehmej" (not pleasant walk, check the last part of one of my other trails in the area- Ehmej/Moukhada/Laqlouq/Aqoura/Charbineh). To avoid this part, we decided to leave "Wadi el Ghbar" at some point and we caught a footpath that goes up to a beautiful plateau then down to intersect with "Wadi el Siyyar" close to Arz Ehmej. This part of the trail is amazing and I'm glad i found it to replace my "old" way back to Arz Ehmej camping. I highly recommend this stunning loop in Ehmej. Enjoy and stay safe!