GUNUNG · Lebanon
Qornet as Sawda
قرنة السودا (Qornet as Sawda / Kornet el-Sawda)
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Source: Open-Meteo
Information
- Elevation
- 3.088 m
- Country
- Lebanon (LB)
- Location / Range
- Mount Lebanon range, Bsharri District, North Governorate, Lebanon
- Mountain type
- Non-volcanic limestone peak — the highest point of Lebanon and the entire Levant region
- Volcanic?
- No (non-volcanic)
- Coordinates
- 34.2781, 36.0919
- Difficulty
- Intermediate trekking from the The Cedars area; a non-technical climb requiring no special equipment in summer; the snow season requires ice gear and a good map
- Best Season
- June–October (summer, snow-free trail, comfortable 10–20°C at the summit); in winter the summit is snow-covered and alpine experience is required.
- Permits & Rules
- No special permit. The area is near The Cedars ski resort in Bsharri — easiest access from Bsharri village or from the ski resort in summer. No mountain-area entry fee.
- Hazards
- Steep cliffs on the summit side; fast-changing weather at altitude (fog, sudden thunderstorms); orientation in rocky terrain with no clear trail; dangerous snow and ice in winter without gear.
Description
Qornet as Sawda (قرنة السودا, 3,088 m) — 'The Black Horn' — is the highest peak in Lebanon, the entire Levant region, and Western Asia. Located in Bsharri District, North Lebanon Governorate, this limestone summit stands above permanent winter snowfields and open boulder terrain in summer. Its location neighbours two sites of great historical significance: the Cedars of God (Arz el-Rab), where ancient Lebanon cedars mentioned in the Bible and Qur'an have stood for over a thousand years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and the village of Bqaa Kafra below, claimed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages in the world. The ascent from The Cedars area (ski resort) takes 2–3 hours across open alpine terrain and rocky ground with no formal trail. Qornet as Sawda is not a mass trekking destination — there is no formal hiking infrastructure — which is precisely its appeal to adventurers seeking to stand on the roof of the Middle East in quiet solitude.
Routes
Via The Cedars (Bsharri)
MenengahThe most common route to Qornet as Sawda, starting from The Cedars ski resort area (~1,900–2,100 m) in Bsharri. No formal marked trail exists — hikers navigate by visual reference to the summit along ridgelines and gullies. Terrain crosses limestone boulders, permanent winter snowfields, and alpine wildflowers in summer. In summer (June–October) risks are manageable; in winter and early spring the slopes can be deeply covered in snow and dangerous without crampons and route-finding experience. From the summit, views extend to the Mediterranean in the west, the Bekaa Valley in the east, and the entire Lebanon Mountain range.
SourceClimbing Experiences
Qornet as Sawda (3,088 m) is the hidden peak of the Middle East, largely absent from international hiking itineraries despite standing as the highest point in Lebanon, the Levant, and all of Western Asia. The absence of formal trails and minimal documentation makes it a true adventure. Its location beside the Lebanon Cedar Forest UNESCO site and the Bsharri ski area makes the broader area attractive year-round. The sources below gather information and real first-hand accounts from those who have hiked or explored this area.
References
The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.