Tourists walk in the forest of cedars, located north of Mount Lebanon, July 24, 2008. (Jamal Saidi/Reuters)

Lebanese discover their own backyard

An eco-tourism venture is opening up a whole new world for locals and foreigners alike.

By Ben Gilbert - GlobalPost
Published: November 18, 2009 06:42 ET
Updated: November 18, 2009 06:43 ET

BEIRUT, Lebanon — A new trail that traverses Lebanon may dodge minefields and Hezbollah bunkers, but it, and a budding ecotourism business, is getting Lebanese out of the city and into the woods.

At least 12 ecotourism companies offer weekly or monthly hiking tours in a country that some have dubbed the “Switzerland of the Middle East” because of its topographical and...

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