Kaftoûn-Kfar Hilda waterfalls-Nahr El Joz-Kaftoûn Monastery

“A balcony” trail overlooking Nahr El
joz (Walnut river) and then on ur way back u descend down towards the bottom of the valley to switch to “chasing the river” kinda trail.
Very beautiful and diversified trail.
First of all, the last 2 kms were on asphalt to return to my car. If i wasn’t solo, it would’ve been better to use two cars. If we weren’t amid this Covid crisis i could’ve hitch-hike, but it was definitely fine.
Better to do this trail in winter or in early spring to enjoy more the waterfalls and seasonal cascades along ur path, the river flow and sound would be more extravagant.
I rated it moderate bcz its very clear wiz moderate ascents. But its a long trail that takes all day. For people looking for shorter trail length, i suggest two different options.
One: start from Kfar Hilda waterfalls and put another car at my waypoint named “End of trail”
Or Option Two: you can make another loop starting at my trailhead and when reaching a bench under a tree next to the aqua duct start descending towards the river as shown in my trail at a waypoint named rest spot, in this option u will miss the mighty waterfalls but it can be a very nice and diversified trail.
There are yellow signs all along ur trail, recently marked to make ur path clear but until today there no signposts and apparently there r too many bifurcations/exits for the trail. So u cant follow them blindly. When i reached the Small shrine (check my waypoint) i followed the yellow signs and noticed that i was leaving the trail as u can see me going up and getting back.
Crossing the river was very easy without dumping my feet.
When i reached the monastery there was a closed gate after the bridge, i crossed it by going slightly left and jumped over the handrail in front of the toilets. Not the right move i know, it wasnt very safe, dnt do it if u are a big group pls. The monastery has an official entry:p from the asphalt, better to enter from there.
Enjoyyyy