In an exciting development for Lebanon’s Christian religious tourism, the country is set to unveil its own version of the famed Camino de Santiago.
Known as Caminos Lebanon, the initiative aims to bring new life to Lebanon’s spiritual tourism and highlight its rich Christian heritage.
Launch of Caminos Lebanon
On March 28, 2025, the Association of Pilgrimages in Lebanon (APL) held a launch event in Bkerké, the heart of the Maronite Catholic Church.
The event gathered key figures, including Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Tourism Minister Laura Khazen Lahoud, and Father Khalil Alwan from APL.
Together, they introduced this innovative project designed to create a unique pilgrimage experience that will help revitalize Lebanon’s religious tourism.
Father Khalil Alwan, president of the APL, expressed the project’s vision, describing Lebanon not only as a land of natural beauty but also as a “land of saints and a land of message.”
By reconnecting pilgrims with the rich spiritual history of Lebanon, the project aims to offer more than just hiking trails, but rather an immersive spiritual experience.
The Trail Network
The Caminos Lebanon project introduces four distinct trail routes that will span Lebanon’s diverse geography.
The Religious Mountain Trails will follow historic routes where saints walked, while the Cross Trails will link significant sites like Tartij and Smar Jbeil, walking pilgrims through the Stations of the Cross.
Other routes will include Thematic Trails like the Transfiguration Trail on Mount Hermon and those tracing Jesus’ footsteps in southern Lebanon.
Finally, Cultural Religious Trails will explore areas such as Zahle, Ghosta, and Bchaaleh, showcasing Lebanon’s unique cultural traditions.
A Long-Term Vision for Lebanon’s Spiritual Landscape
What started as a plan for a single trail has evolved into a broad initiative to explore Lebanon’s spiritual heritage in its entirety.
The APL has been working on this project for years, receiving official recognition from the Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the East in 2011.
The network will feature 24 shrines across Lebanon, with Father Alwan hoping to translate the materials into English to appeal to a wider international audience.
Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi called the project a deeply spiritual journey, emphasizing that the paths were not merely physical routes but symbols of faith and holiness.
Minister Laura Khazen Lahoud framed the trails as an opportunity for cultural exploration, reinforcing the idea that these trails offer much more than a walking experience—they are a window into Lebanon’s rich history and religious diversity.
The Pilgrim’s Passport and Interfaith Spirituality
Drawing inspiration from Spain’s Camino de Santiago, the project will introduce an innovative pilgrim’s passport system.
This will not only guide visitors on their journey but also celebrate Lebanon’s religious diversity, with over 6,000 religious sites split evenly between Christian and Muslim landmarks.
Pilgrims will walk paths that were once used by Christ and the Romans, retracing sacred routes walked for centuries by people seeking to fulfill vows or pray for personal intentions.
Father Alwan highlighted the inclusive nature of the project, inviting both Christians and Muslims to experience the trails together, fostering dialogue and unity.
The experience promises to be one of spiritual reflection and interfaith understanding.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Sacred Legacy
As Caminos Lebanon prepares to welcome its first pilgrims, it stands as a testament to Lebanon’s enduring spiritual and cultural significance.
Father Khalil Alwan closed the event by emphasizing Lebanon’s role as a land of beauty and historical importance, rich with sacred stories that are ready to be shared with the world.
This new pilgrimage project marks the beginning of a deeper exploration of Lebanon’s sacred history, and the APL is eager to see it grow as an integral part of Lebanon’s tourism and spiritual landscape.