LMT 3 Qemmamine - Kfar Bebnine

Trail length 10,1 km

North to South
From Qemmamine to Kfar Bebnine
Total ascent 918m 
Total descent 568m
Level of difficulty Very Difficult (4h30)

The trail in this section of the LMT is mostly made of footpaths along forested hillsides. It is accessible all year long, but you might not meet many people along the way, except in el Qemmamine at the start and Kfar Bebnine at the end of the section, this area being remote; it is very likely though that you find some shepherds on the way. The dramatic Jehannem valleys (وادي جهنم) with its deep gorges and high peaks, oak, juniper and brutia pine forests are the main highlights. There's one permanent spring at the middle of the trail. Walk from Ain el Qemmamine spring along the dirt road towards the pine forest and then start the climb on the footpath until you reach the cliff which overlooks the village. From there, take the footpath to the right towards the dirt road. Before you pass by a concrete water reservoir start climbing towards a juniper forest. After the forest, continue until you reach a dirt road and walk along it for a short distance before leaving it on your left as you go towards Tell Chima plain. Continue on the cleared footpath toward Ouadi Sirri until you reach Nabaa Ras el Ain spring. Then walk along the water canal and start your climb towards Tallet Hankoufa hill with its abandoned ruined site. From this point, walk downhill along a cleared footpath until you reach the paved road to Kfar Bebnine village. At the info panel, you can either leave the village or continue on towards Bqaa Sefrine.
 

South to North
From Kfar Bebnine to Qemmamine
Total ascent 568m 
Total descent 918m
Level of difficulty Very Difficult (4h30)

From the info panel location, follow the narrow street and walk about one kilometer and a half along the paved road. At a certain turn, go straight on a cleared footpath toward the valley and follow it as it climbs toward a ruined farm. From this point, take a cleared path toward the valley which reaches a dirt road. Walk a few meters and then go left along an uncleared water canal.  At Ras el Ain spring, find the path and continue toward Tell Chima, flat ground surrounded by juniper forest. The trail goes around the edge of it and then follows a dirt road that connects with another one. Go right and walk along the dirt road. After a few hundred meters, make a sharp left turn and walk along the edge of the wheat field. Follow an uncleared path towards a dry stream and continue walking on a cleared footpath with ups and downs until it reaches a dirt road. Walk downhill and go past a concrete water reservoir following a dirt road. Then turn left and climb up again into a dense, mixed forest. From there, take a footpath which descends steeply downhill and leads you to el Qemmamine village. This section ends at the spring.

Important to know
- There are some difficult passages on this section; the trail consists of paved roads, dirt roads and footpath
- This section is completely blazed.
- If you plan to walk alone, please inform the LMTA about the dates of your trip at info@lebanontrail.org and ask for the GPS track.
- For your stay and your hike, contact the guesthouse or the guide few days before you start your trip.

Getting there
Take the coastal highway northbound from Tripoli. At el Abdeh, take the fork on the right to Bebnine. When you reach Bebnine, turn right on the road towards Berqayel and Qabaiit.  Once in Qabaiit, descend into the valley towards el Qemmamine. The trail starts at Ain el Qemmamine spring. To reach Kfar Bnine, exit Tripoli on the road to Sir ed Danniyeh and Sfire.  Continue north from Sfire to Kfar Bnine. All the roads are paved.  Public transportation is available from Tripoli to el Qobbayat, Sir ed Dannieh and Kfar Bebnine. The LMT is accessible from el Qemmamine and Kfar Bnine.

Source: Lebanon Mountain Trail Association