Supporting Responsible & Sustainable Tourism
The Lebanon Mountain Trail Foundation supports responsible and sustainable tourism as a means of protecting Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage while creating opportunities for rural communities.
Through fundraising and strategic grant-making, the Foundation can support organizations and initiatives that strengthen trail conservation, environmental education, local livelihoods, inclusive access to nature, and responsible tourism. The Lebanon Mountain Trail Association is an important strategic partner and eligible grant recipient whose work closely aligns with these objectives.
The initiatives below illustrate areas of work that contribute to this broader public-benefit mission.
Trail Conservation
The LMT Association is dedicated to the protection, development, and promotion of the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT). Managing a 600 km network is a complex, year-round commitment to environmental conservation and heritage site preservation.
The LMT Association’s work in trail conservation includes four key areas:
- Protection
- Education
- Maintenance
- Development
The LMT is the national hiking trail for all Lebanese and a major destination to visitors. It is a symbol of a country united, and we are proud to share it with the global trekking community.
Trail Maintenance - Blazing
Adopt-a-trail-program
1. Objectives
2. Expected Impact
Research and Knowledge
Research and evidence help strengthen responsible trail management, environmental resilience and the economic opportunities associated with nature-based tourism. The Foundation supports public-benefit objectives in these areas and highlights relevant research and initiatives undertaken by its strategic partners and other organizations.
Hiking Trails Economic and Social Impact: The case of the Lebanon Mountain Trail
Economic impact analysis helps measure how hiking trails and nature-based tourism contribute to local and regional economies. Visitor spending on lodging, food, transport, gear, and services generates direct economic benefits, while additional indirect and induced effects support local businesses, jobs, household income, and broader economic activity. Such analysis helps stakeholders assess the value of investments in trails, guide tourism and development policies, support sustainable growth, and promote equitable economic benefits while preserving natural environments and community wellbeing.
A detailed research report has been produced and can be viewed by clicking on the following link:
Assessing Climate Vulnerability: A Framework for Mediterranean Trail Resilience
In collaboration with the AUB Nature Conservation Center and Agency RED, the LMTA is proud to present a rigorous, multidisciplinary study on climate change impact and adaptation within the Med Trails Network. This research employs a participatory, science-based framework to analyze pressing environmental threats and resilience capacities across Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine—with a localized focus on Baskinta, Ajloun, and Jericho. By synthesizing high-level technical expertise with community-based insights, the study delivers a strategic blueprint for sustainable adaptation, equipping trail stakeholders with the essential tools to safeguard Mediterranean landscapes and the rural economies that depend on them.
Boosting Rural Economies Through Sustainable Hiking Trails
A 2024 benchmark study by the Med Trails Network (MTN), supported by the consulting firm AGEG, reveals that well-managed hiking trails are far more than just paths through nature: they are powerful catalysts for rural territories in the Levant area and beyond. While many Trail Management Organizations face shared hurdles like financial instability and a lack of visitor data, the study highlights that success lies in a diversified strategy. By combining high-quality trail infrastructure with “soft” services-such as authentic gastronomy, thematic guided tours, and local sponsorships-communities can turn outdoor tourism into a resilient source of income for families, youth, and women entrepreneurs.
The research emphasizes that economic impact is driven by three key factors: the number of visitors, their spending habits, and the length of their stay. Interestingly, the data shows that hikers prioritize quality food and a warm place to sleep over luxury, seeking authentic local immersion. To help trail organizations capitalize on these trends, the MTN has developed specialized monitoring tools and a performance checklist designed to improve visitor services and signposting. This study serves as a practical roadmap for Mediterranean regions to innovate their tourism offerings while preserving their natural and cultural heritage.
Hikers Behavior Study: Transforming the Mediterranean Through Sustainable Trails
Hiking is surging across Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, evolving from a local pastime into a significant driver for regional tourism. Within the framework of the Med Trails Network (MTN), a strategic study conducted by a French consultancy firm (Vianova) provides the roadmap for turning this foot traffic into lasting rural economic development.
A Cross-Regional Study with a Local Focus
While the comprehensive survey gathered data from hikers across Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon, the results shared on our website focuses specifically on the case of Lebanon.
These insights are critical for the continued preservation and promotion of the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT).
Key Pillars of the Study
The survey identifies three areas essential for strategic planning and donor impact:
- Hiker Demographics & Behavior: Identifying exactly who is on the trail, what services they require (lodging, guiding, transport), and what motivates their journey.
- Economic Impact: Understanding how hiking tourism can be harnessed to directly support local communities and rural mountain economies.
- Climate Resilience: Assessing hiker awareness regarding environmental degradation and developing strategies to mitigate the escalating risks of climate change.
The Goal: Data-Driven Development
By understanding the habits and expectations of both national and international hikers, the LMTA can implement a shared framework for sustainable management.
This ensures that the natural beauty and cultural richness of Lebanon are protected while providing a world-class experience for hikers enthusiasts.
Trail Protection & Advocacy
The long-term protection of the Lebanon Mountain Trail depends on appropriate recognition, mapping and protection of the landscapes and heritage through which it passes.
The Lebanon Mountain Trail Association and its partners are working to address challenges including land-use pressures, infrastructure encroachment, environmental degradation and the lack of a comprehensive legal framework for the trail.
The Foundation supports public-benefit initiatives that contribute to the protection of Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage and the long-term sustainability of the LMT and other hiking networks.
The LMTA’s advocacy efforts focus on three key areas:
- Cadastral Mapping of the LMT: Delineate public & private land
- Push for the legislation of a Mountain Protection Law
- Push for a decree to protect the trail itself within a legal framework through advocacy
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