Plans are afoot for a network of pilgrim trails that would follow roads traveled by Jesus and early saints.
Lebanon will soon have its own “camino,” according to the Association of Pilgrimages in Lebanon (APL).
On March 28, the group unveiled its plans for Caminos Lebanon, an innovative project designed to revitalize Christian religious tourism through a unique pilgrimage experience inspired by the renowned Camino de Santiago in Spain.
The launch event, held in Bkerké, the episcopal see of the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch of the Maronite Church in Lebanon, gathered prominent figures, including Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Tourism Minister Laura Khazen Lahoud, and Father Khalil Alwan alongside a diverse audience of clergy, religious leaders, and stakeholders.
The Caminos Lebanon project seeks to highlight Lebanon’s rich religious heritage by creating a comprehensive network of pilgrimage trails that connect historical and spiritual sites across the country.
During the launch, Father Khalil Alwan, president of the APL, articulated the project’s core mission.
“Lebanon is not just a country of natural beauty and a pleasant climate; it is a land of saints and a land of message,” he declared. Connecting the initiative to the Maronite Patriarchal Synod of 2006, which recognized the importance of religious tourism, Alwan emphasized the spiritual significance of rediscovering mountain trails and the home to numerous shrines, deeply intertwined with the liturgical calendar.
The trail network is ambitious, spanning four distinct routes that traverse Lebanon’s diverse terrain: Religious Mountain Trails will follow historic routes where saints once walked. Cross Trails will connect areas like Tartij, Qartaba, and Smar Jbeil, allowing pilgrims to walk through the Stations of the Cross. Thematic Trails will trace significant religious journeys, including the footsteps of Jesus in southern Lebanon and the Transfiguration Trail on Mount Hermon. Cultural Religious Trails will highlight regions such as Zahle, Ghosta, and Bchaaleh, offering visitors a deep dive into local traditions and heritage.
