On July 20, 2025, on the Feast Day of Saint Charbel, Lebanon took a historic step toward honoring one of its most beloved spiritual figures. The first section of Darb Mar Charbel (Saint Charbel Trail), a long-distance pilgrimage route, was officially inaugurated in Annaya.
Held at the Saint Maron Monastery in Annaya, the inauguration was presided over by His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic, and marked by a blessing of the “Kilometer Zero” monument by His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rai, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.
The event gathered high-level spiritual and diplomatic figures, including Bishop Paolo Borgia, Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon; Abbot Hady Mahfouz, Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order; and Abbot Tannous Nehme, Superior of the Saint Maron Monastery. Together they celebrated the launch of Section A1 connecting Annaya to Mayfouq in the heart of the Jubilee Year 2025 Pilgrims of Hope.
Darb Mar Charbel is Lebanon’s first official long-distance pilgrimage trail. Inspired by global spiritual routes such as Spain’s Camino de Santiago, this initiative weaves through sacred and historic landscapes closely tied to the life of Saint Charbel. The full trail will eventually span from the northern mountains to Harissa in the south, connecting monasteries, churches and rural villages rich in religious and cultural heritage.
Here’s what’s planned so far:
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Section A1: Annaya to Mayfouq — now open
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Section A2: Mar Yaacoub El Hosn to Mayfouq — coming soon
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Section A3: Wata Houb to Mar Yaacoub El Hosn — coming soon
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Southern extension to Harissa — expected in 2026
Launched by Darbessama in partnership with the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA), the project stands as a beacon of faith, unity and rural revival. It encourages hikers, pilgrims and heritage lovers alike to explore Lebanon’s hidden landscapes while fostering sustainable tourism.
The trail’s development has been made possible through grassroots fundraising and community involvement. Each step taken on the path is also a step toward preserving Lebanon’s natural beauty and sacred heritage.
Whether you’re walking in prayer, for reflection or simply to reconnect with nature, Darb Mar Charbel offers a uniquely Lebanese pilgrimage that speaks to the soul, the land and the legacy of a saint who continues to inspire across generations.
If you enjoyed reading this, check out our article on accessible nature on the LMT.
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