The Baatara Gorge Waterfall, one of the most incredible corners of our planet

The Baatara Gorge Waterfall is located near Tannourine in Lebanon. It is one of the most fascinating and spectacular natural wonders in the world. This geological marvel, also known as the "Three Bridges Chasm", features a waterfall that flows through three breathtaking limestone arches. The gorge was formed over millions of years through Jurassic-era erosion, a process that carved deep caverns and tunnels within the region's mountains. The waterfall plunges about 255 meters into a deep chasm, and during the spring thaw when meltwater flows through the three overlapping arches, it offers one of the planet's most impressive spectacles.



The Baatara Gorge Waterfall, discovered and documented in 1952 by French explorer Henri Coiffait, was later mapped and extensively studied, revealing the complexity of its limestone structures and surrounding geological formations. The waterfall is fed by the Baatara stream, which swells during the spring snowmelt and reaches the karst fracture. Here, the water plunges about 90 meters before threading through the tunnels that make up the cave, reaching a depth of 250 meters. A fluorescent dye test revealed that, after just over ten hours, the water from the cave reemerges at the spring of a village located six kilometers away and about 800 meters lower.



The Tannourine region is known for its biodiversity and cedar forests, which represent one of the country's most important natural habitats. The Baatara Gorge Waterfall and the surrounding areas are protected to preserve the ecosystem and the natural beauty of the site. Local authorities and environmental organizations work together to ensure that tourism does not harm this delicate environment. Reaching the waterfall requires a hike starting from the village of Balaa. The trail is fairly accessible and offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. As you approach the waterfall, you can hear the roar of the falling water, a sound that grows louder as you near the edge of the chasm.

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