Things to Do in Kobayat, Akkar: Heritage, Walks and Stars 🧭
Things to do in Kobayat and Akkar from a local operator: heritage sites, summer festivals, orchards, walking and stargazing, plus where to stay in Kobayat.
Things to Do in Kobayat: Heritage and History
A quick disclosure: we run Horizon Pines, a glamping and camping site in Kobayat, Akkar. We are an operator, not a tourist board, so this is a short list of things to do in Kobayat that we know about, not a complete guide. Opening times and access change, so please check locally before you set out, especially for churches, monasteries and walking routes.
Kobayat, also spelt Qoubaiyat, is one of the largest villages in North Lebanon. It has a strong Maronite heritage and a long history, with Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine traces, Roman tombs, and old churches and monasteries. The name is linked to the Aramaic “Qbayya”, meaning large water pools.
The Temple of the God Ban and Saint Artimos-Challita. In Helsban Valley are the ruins of the Temple of the God Ban, a site that later became the monastery of Saint Artimos-Challita.
The convent of Mar Doumit. The historic convent of Mar Doumit is another of the village’s notable heritage sites.
Old churches and monasteries. Beyond those two, the village has a number of old churches and monasteries, and many of Kobayat's churches can be visited. Mar Gerges Chwita is right next to us, so it is the easiest one to reach from the site. Our history and heritage of Kobayat post goes into more depth.
Kobayat's welcome sign, a historic monastery at night and a village church.
Things to Do in Akkar: Farms, Festivals, Walks and Stars
Orchards and farms. The land around the village is farmed, with olive groves, vineyards, apple orchards and cherry farms. Driving the roads around Kobayat in the growing season is part of the pleasure of being here.
Summer festivals. In summer, the Kobayat Festival brings music and culture nights to the village, and Saydet el Ghessaleh, a religious and cultural landmark with panoramic views, hosts its own celebrations. Dates change each year, so check locally. Our post on Kobayat as a summer escape has more on the season.
Walking. The easiest walking is on the forest paths around our site. For longer walks in Akkar, the Qammouaa area and the Beino reserve are names you will hear locally, but always ask locally about current access and conditions before you go. For Lebanon Mountain Trail routes, the source is the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association. We do not publish routes of our own. Our walking and hiking guide covers what to expect from a Kobayat base.
Stargazing. The night sky above the site is dark, which makes stargazing good. At about 1,100 metres, nights are cooler than on the coast, so bring a warm layer and give your eyes time to adjust.
A day trip to North Lebanon, or a night? Kobayat is about 30 minutes from Tripoli and about two hours from Beirut, roughly 135 to 140 km via the Tripoli highway and Halba. From Tripoli, a day trip is easy. From Beirut it is possible, but four hours of driving leaves less time for the village, so staying the night makes more sense.
The Kobayat Festival in summer, and the mountains of Akkar.
Where to Stay in Kobayat, and Practical Notes
If you are wondering where to stay in Kobayat, here is what we offer. Horizon Pines is just below Mar Gerges Chwita, built inside existing pine forest without cutting trees. All of our current stays are open.
Premium yurts, $120 per night for stays of two nights or more, or $150 for one night. They have a private bathroom with a hot shower, a kitchenette with a fridge, and a private terrace. A yurt sleeps 4 adults, or up to 6 when two of the guests are children.
Lotus Belle tents, $60 per tent per night. These are furnished canvas tents with a private porch and beds made on arrival, and each has a private bathroom next door.
Family and friends camping, for 2 to 6 people, is $10 per guest per night with your own tent, or $15 with a tent and mattress provided. Group and scout camping takes 20 to 120 people, from $10 per guest per night.
We are also building chalets. They are not open yet; ask us on WhatsApp if you would like to know when they open.
Practical notes for Akkar. We are open in spring, summer and autumn, roughly April to October, and closed in winter. Assume smaller businesses are cash-only. Do your main food shop before the mountain road, because guests cook their own food here, and fill up with fuel on the way. Download offline maps, because signal is weaker away from the village. The last stretch of road to us is a little rough, but an ordinary car manages it. Our tap water is not drinkable, so bring drinking water. There is no Wi-Fi, but 4G coverage is good. Check-in is from 3:00 PM, with late arrivals possible until 10:00 PM, and check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Book directly by WhatsApp or phone. A 50% deposit reserves the stay, and cancellations are accepted at least 7 days before arrival. If this is your first trip to the region, our first-timer’s guide to camping in Akkar is a good next read.
Planning a stay? See where to stay at Horizon Pines or ask us about availability on WhatsApp.
Somewhere to stay among the pines: a Premium Yurt at Horizon Pines.