Geological & ecological
El Qaleh Geosite
A karstic limestone geosite above Jezzine at 1,150 m, with 360° views over eroded rock and old wheat terraces. Rich in wildlife — oak woodland, badgers, jackals and at least eight bat species.
Aspiring geopark · South Lebanon
Shouf Jezzine Geopark
Four remarkable geosites where geology, biodiversity and heritage are deeply intertwined — from karstic highlands and waterfalls to cliff fortresses.
Our geosites
El Qaleh, Jezzine Cliff, Chir el Joube and Niha Fortress — each with its own geology, wildlife and story.
Geological & paleontological
Jezzine Cliff
The "Falaise de Blanche" (locally "Chalouf") — ~74 m limestone cliffs above Jezzine, crowned by the town's famous waterfall. Type locality of the "Jezzinian" stage and the only known source of Lebanese amber with biological inclusions.
Geological & ecological
Chir el Joube
A dramatic cliff at Azour sculpted by the Roum Fault, part of the Dead Sea Fault System. Active seismicity, two mountain chains around a central syncline, and habitat for endemic flora, wildcat, rock hyrax and eight bat species.
Cultural & geological
Niha Fortress
The troglodytic fort "Chqif Tayroun," carved into a cliff above the Jezzine Valley and layered with Jurassic–Cretaceous limestone. Home to Lebanon's largest rock hyrax population and a notable Indian crested porcupine presence.
Towards an international geopark
Geoparks pair protection with education and sustainable development, with local communities at the centre. Learn what the initiative is working towards — and the science behind it.
Our partners
The organisations working with us on the Shouf–Jezzine geosites.
European Union
This project is funded by the European Union
BioConnect
Shouf Cedar Society
Implementing partner
ACE — Association for Community & Environment
Implementing partner
ADR — Association for the Development of Rural Capacities
Implementing partner
SPNL — Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon
Implementing partner