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Mezyara, A spartan marathon!

Miziara

Miziara is a town located in the Zgharta District in the Northern Governorate of Lebanon. The village is home to the Mother of Mercies Miziara, St Elias Shrines, and to Hotel Miziara, the village's first hotel. The populated area called Miziara consists of four villages: Miziara, Harf Miziara, Houmeis and, Sakhra.

Miziara sits on a hilltop at 800 m above sea level, and it is home to some of the most unusual houses in the country, including one constructed out of an old airplane. The village also overlook some areas like Morh Kfarsghab, Jdeideh, Zgharta, Tripoli and, the Mediterranean Sea. The road that leads to it goes through Zgharta, Kfarhata, Iaal and, then to Miziara. The inhabitants are from Miziara, and the road that leads to it goes through Zgharta – Kfarhata – El Khaldiyeh - Sakhra. The distance from Zgharta is 5 kilometers.

-Miziara village brief history

Miziara was not inhabited before the end of the 17th century. In its place was a dense forest full of wild boars. The part of the country where Miziara is located today was part of the Shiite Sheikh Hamadeh baker, ruled by Jebbet Bsharri from 1654 to 1761.

Houmeis, also belonging to Hamadeh Baklik, seemed to be inhabited before the 18th century because there were some ruins of an earlier settlement.

 

 -What you can do

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve

Nature lovers will have a field day in Miziara. Do not miss the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, located just 10 minutes from the city center. It is known to have more than a thousand species of plants, which make up almost half of all native plants in Lebanon. If you are there, be sure to check out the Lebanese cedar, the country's iconic symbol. The reserve is also full of wild animals, and if you are lucky, you will see jackals and foxes. If you want to go hiking, you must book a local guide in advance.

 

Bnachii Lake

If you want to go for a relaxing walk or jog in the early morning or afternoon, a trip to Bnachii lake will satisfy your longing. The trail surrounding the lake provides the perfect setting for a leisurely walk or an intense jog if you wish. When you are tired of walking, you can rent a pedalo or boat to spend a quiet time on the water.

 

               

 

Wildlife Taxidermy Museum

After a boat ride at Bnachii Lake, you can visit the Wildlife Taxidermy Museum, home to over 3,000 stuffed wildlife. It's a great place to learn about the animals endemic to Miziara and Lebanon, such as reptiles, birds, marine life and mammals. If you stay in the area around Christmas time, you should be able to catch a huge festival on the museum's grounds.

 

Our Lady of Miziara, Mother of Mercies

If you are a lover of history and religion, a trip to Miziara wouldn't be complete without visiting its famous shrine of Our Lady, Our Lady of Miziara. It's right at the entrance to the village so you won't miss it. Even if you're not a Catholic or a Christian, you will certainly appreciate the stunning architecture as well as the intricate and almost lifelike statues of Mary, Jesus, angels and other saints.

 

To get here, you will need to go north headed towards Tripoli via the coastal highway. Then follow the road to Miziara after taking the Chekka-Amioun exit.

-What you can eat

Established in 1996, La Crepinette Restaurant is in the heart of Miziara. It is famous for its signature delicious dishes and crêpes.

Mezyara's Hannibal race was an epic marathon course filled with obstacles and adventure!
Trip Overview
  • Trip profile
    Hiking
  • Budget Required
    USD
  • Type
  • Available Activities
    Hiking, Parkour, Biking, Sightseeing
  • Time to Arrive (from Beirut)
    2 hours
  • Adventure Duration
    4 hours
  • Difficulty (for a non-athlete)
    Easy
  • How to Arrive
    Car

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