Ehden

Overview

Horsh Ehden is a mountainous ecosystem on the Northern Mount Lebanon chain. It ranges from 1300m to 1950m in altitude and is located 3.5km north of Ehden and 100km from the capital Beirut.

After much lobbying by the Friends of Horsh Ehden the forest was declared a Nature Reserve by the Lebanese government in March, 1992 (decree# 121). The area set aside for the reserve comprises 1000 hectares of public land of which 350 are forested. Horsh Ehden is internationally acknowledged to be the southernmost limit for the growth of the species of Cilician Fir Abies cilicica.

This unique forest is a mixture of trees. More than 35 different species notably conifers, such as the Cedars, the High Juniper broadleaves such as the maple and the endemic wild apple.

A number of water sources can be found in Horsh Ehden, the most important of which are Ain Al-Baq, Nabaa Jouït and Ain Al-Baiada.

The wilderness qualities of parts of Horsh Ehden and of the adjacent mountain areas provide the ideal setting for walks, cross country skiing and other related activities.  The summer resort of Ehden lies at an altitude of 1500m, surrounded by breathtaking mountains overlooking the timeless Kadisha valley.

Origins of the name "Ehden"

The origins of the name, Ehden are obscured by time and myth.

One explanation is that it is derived from the word "adon" reffering to the mountains. Equally Patriarch Stephane El Douaihy wrote that it was derived from biblical Eden. His work on the subject is kept in Vatican Library.

History