Mount Hermon winter ascent (Summit at 2813 m)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 6.39 mi
- Elevation gain
- 4,081 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 4,081 ft
- Max elevation
- 9,227 ft
- TrailRank
-
57
5
- Min elevation
- 5,259 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 4 hours 4 minutes
- Time
- 7 hours 18 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1855
- Uploaded
- March 10, 2019
- Recorded
- March 2019
near El Fâqaâ, Béqaa (Lebanon)
Viewed 1744 times, downloaded 35 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
In the past years, the Mount Hermon was a military area restricted to hikers and climbers because of the war in Syria. This year, the mountain is accessible again but you will need a prior permit from the lebanese army to enter the area. Accessing the area without permit is not recommended. My first ascent here was in october 2005 and i was so excited to do it 14 years later in winter season especially the 2019 generous snowy winter. This climb was organized by 33North (Gillbert Moukheiber). After spending the night at Rachaya town (Guesthouse), we started our day at 6 am. We Crossed the lebanese army checkpoint and parked the cars around 4 km ahead where the road was closed by snow (around 1600 m). The start of the walk was on a mix of snow, grass and mud for 2 km before reaching a long snowy "couloir". The ascent from here is steady and seems endless. Don't expect any plateau or descent! The way is uphill till the summit! One needs a certain level of fitness to be able to straight climb 1300 m in 5.5 km, on a snowy tough terrain (snowshoes are mandatory). The sceneries are amazing. You can see far away the mountains of Makmel, Sannine, Kneisseh and Barouk. The final push to the summit will lead you to a point between the summit and the United Nations watchpost (UNDOF). Take your left to reach the metal cross at the summited that was totally covered by snow today. Behind the summit, you can see the syrian territories and a syrian watchpost. It was very cold and windy at the summit. Summiting Hermon is rewarding. Views are amazing from the top. We went back on the same route. The descent is also demanding because of the steep slopes. Impressive Mount Hermon!
Waypoints
Waypoint
5,260 ft
Intersection
Information point
Panorama
Summit
Comments (3)
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I've done this Trail on 9 August 2019, it is a very beatiful & challenging hike, however it ended really bad because we clashed with the Syrian Army noting that we didn't cross the borders & we had a guide with us.
The situation was messy & they started shooting in the air & they were following us to kidnap us.
The Syrian army is entering the Lebanese soil from time to time & the Lebanese Army isn't always up there to protect the land.
This hike is recommended only if you have a guide & assured by the Lebanese Army that you are protected by them, otherwise, don't ever think going up there alone.
Hello I have some small questions I would like to ask before trying this beautiful ascent. Firstly how were you able to pass the 2400m "border" without being told by the army to descend? My second question is where should I get the army permit from? Thank you in advance!
Hello Wael. This ascent was done before setting the max allowed elevation by lebanese army following many incidents with the syrian army (Ain Jrain 2400m). Check the comment of Ibrahim Mhanna above (one of the incidents) and my description of my other trail "mount hermon summer ascent". Because this area is a military zone, i recommend that you get in contact with Mehdi Fayek 9613963378 (a certified LMT mountain guide) from Rachaya who can give you all required info and assist you with the permit. I strongly advise to have a guide from the area and never hike there alone. Keep hiking and stay safe