About

About Hima Hammana

Nestled in the heart of the Lebanese mountains along the historic Beirut-Damascus Road, Hima Hammana is a living sanctuary where nature, heritage, and adventure come together in perfect harmony. Lebanon's first officially recognized birdwatching site, the Hima is designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and proudly aligned with the UNESCO and the Biosphere Program, a testament to its exceptional ecological significance.

Mountain landscape with forested slopes and rocky terrain
Perched above the Hammana valley and stretching along the Beirut River Valley corridor all the way to the capital, it safeguards ancient migratory bird pathways, cedar and oak forests, endangered endemic wildflowers, and 120-million-year-old amber outcrops that place it firmly on the world's paleontological map.
Birdwatching Observatories: SPNL & ANAHITA

2

Birdwatching Observatories: SPNL & ANAHITA

2

Different types of species recorded

25+

Different types of species recorded

25+

Hammana's Altitude above sea level

1,200m

Hammana's Altitude above sea level

1,200m

A year's count Recorded Birds

500,000+

A year's count Recorded Birds

500,000+

Whether you come to hike, snowshoe, paraglide, canyon, or simply breathe in the mountain air, the Hima offers some of Lebanon's most dramatic and unspoiled landscapes. Educational visits, fossil walks, birdwatching tours, and school programs make every outing a discovery. Just beyond the Hima's wild embrace lies the enchanting village of Hammana, a jewel of traditional Lebanese stone architecture, cobblestone streets, and centuries-old churches and monasteries steeped in history. Each spring and summer, its legendary cherry orchards burst into colour, welcoming visitors from across Lebanon for the timeless pleasure of cherry picking.

What is a Hima?

A Hima is a traditional community-led conservation system that has existed in the Arab world for over 1,500 years. Meaning “protected place,” a Hima empowers local communities to conserve natural resources, protect biodiversity, and preserve cultural heritage while supporting sustainable development. Hima Hammana is Lebanon’s first SMART Hima, combining the ancient Hima approach with modern conservation practices, technology, scientific monitoring, sustainable tourism, and community engagement to protect the unique landscapes and biodiversity of the Beirut River Valley.

What is a Hima?

A Hima is a traditional community-led conservation system that has existed in the Arab world for over 1,500 years. Meaning “protected place,” a Hima empowers local communities to conserve natural resources, protect biodiversity, and preserve cultural heritage while supporting sustainable development. Hima Hammana is Lebanon’s first SMART Hima, combining the ancient Hima approach with modern conservation practices, technology, scientific monitoring, sustainable tourism, and community engagement to protect the unique landscapes and biodiversity of the Beirut River Valley.

Who are Homat al Hima?

Homat Al Hima (Guardians of the Hima) are local volunteers, youth, guides, and community members dedicated to protecting and promoting the Hima. They help conserve nature, welcome visitors, raise environmental awareness, and inspire others to become stewards of their natural and cultural heritage. Together, Hima Hammana and its Homat Al Hima demonstrate how tradition, innovation, and community action can work hand in hand to create a sustainable future, ensuring that nature, culture, and people flourish together.

Who are Homat al Hima?

Homat Al Hima (Guardians of the Hima) are local volunteers, youth, guides, and community members dedicated to protecting and promoting the Hima. They help conserve nature, welcome visitors, raise environmental awareness, and inspire others to become stewards of their natural and cultural heritage. Together, Hima Hammana and its Homat Al Hima demonstrate how tradition, innovation, and community action can work hand in hand to create a sustainable future, ensuring that nature, culture, and people flourish together.