Hima Hammana

With an important diversity of trees such as cedars and oak trees, a colorful richness of flowers, and the amazing scenery of waterfalls in spring, Hima Hammana declared in 2018 is considered one of a kind in the world of ecotourism. In addition, this area is an attraction for scientific studies due to the presence of fossils and the interesting formation of amber. Hammana, being on the main bird migration flyway, on the upper limit of Beirut River Valley declared as an IBA (Important Bird & Biodiversity Area) especially that some rare birds species are found in this region like the crested honey buzzard. Being a Hima Hammana’s resources will be sustainably used to maintain its interesting biodiversity.

14 November 2018  was an important day for SPNL welcoming Hammana’s municipal council decree to declare the village as Hima. The municipal council, led by Mr. Bachir Farhat, was proactive in declaring part of the municipal land as Hima for sustainable use such as ecotourism, responsible grazing, and responsible hunting.

The Hima will be established in coordination between the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon, and the municipality.

Hammana is a town in Lebanon, about 26 km (16 miles) East of Beirut. Hammana sits at an altitude of 1200m (about 4000ft) above sea-level. It is in the Mount Lebanon Governorate in the district (or Caza) of Baabda. Hammana is bordered by the towns of Falougha, Shbaniye, Khraybe, Bmariam, Khalwet and Mdeirej.

The village has multiple water sources like the Shaghour fall, Ain-al-Hosa spring, Al-Kadaneh spring, Ain Soltan spring, Ain Maytri spring and many more. Evergreen trees such as pines, firs, spruce as well as some cedar trees are found everywhere in the town. Hammana is known regionally for its cherries, apples, and beans. The Sohat spring water bottling plant is located nearby in Falougha.

The 19th century French poet, novelist and statesman Alphonse De Lamartine visited Lebanon and spent some time in Hammana. He described the town and its surrounding lush valley in his Voyages en Orient (1835) as “one of the most beautiful prospects ever presented to the human eye to scan in the works of God”.

Hammana is a mixture of a typical Lebanese village, where you can enjoy the magic of its nature and extreme hospitality. It is a four seasons resort, changing colors from yellow tint in autumn, to mostly white in winter, to multi-colored in spring and dark green in summer.

On 25 November 2011 Municipality of Hammana and Barcelona/Cercs Bergueda signed the agreement of the second phase for the Ecotourism Project.

  • Around 25 residents of Hammana signed on to be part of the project and received training to be able to run different activities for the project.
  • Around 5 households in Hammana signed on to have their homes serve as guest houses to receive and host visitors for the project.