Bloudan and Zabadani: A Winter Day Trip from Damascus

This is a guide to a one-day trip from Bloudan to Zabadani in the Damascus countryside of Syria — out and back in a day — during the winter season, for your next winter trip to Syria.

From Damascus, reaching snow takes no more than an hour. It is a fact that surprises many people who do not know the country: the capital, which rarely turns white itself, is separated from a full snow landscape by a single road climbing north-west into the eastern Lebanon mountains, where Bloudan and Zabadani sit.

The road from Damascus

The distance is relatively short, around fifty kilometres, and the road climbs gradually until it passes 1,500 metres at Bloudan. The ascent itself is part of the trip: the landscape shifts from the Damascus plain to bare highland and then to white, sometimes within twenty minutes.

It is better to set out early — between seven and eight in the morning — for two reasons: the road gets busy on snowy weekends, and you need to come back down before sunset.

Bloudan, Syria: the highest and the nearest

Bloudan is an old summer resort with a long memory; for decades it was the destination of Damascus families and Gulf visitors in summer. Its altitude of nearly 1,500 metres makes it one of the first places to turn white in every wave, and one of the last to melt.

What there is to do:

• The corniche and the view: Bloudan is built on a slope, and its view over the Zabadani valley is its most famous sight. Under snow the whole valley becomes a single white canvas.
• The cafes: a warm sitting with a view over the valley is the heart of a winter visit, and it makes up for how little time you are likely to spend outdoors.
• Playing in the snow: the slopes near the town are easy to reach and suitable for families.

Zabadani: the valley and the apples

Zabadani sits about four hundred metres lower than Bloudan, on the floor of the valley. Historically it was known for three things: its apples, its springs and its air. In the stronger waves the snow covers the entire floor of the valley, and the basin ringed by mountains looks like the bottom of a white bowl — among the finest things to see in the Damascus countryside in winter.

In fairness it should be said that Zabadani suffered serious damage during the war years, and that its tourism infrastructure is still recovering. A visit today is closer to passing through and looking than to a complete tourist experience, and it is better to confirm in advance what services are available rather than assume they are there.

Timing the trip

Timing is the decisive factor in whether this trip works:

• The day: the day after the depression ends — fresh snow, clear sky, open road.
• Setting out: early. The road gets congested after nine on snowy days.
• Coming back: before sunset. The thin ice that forms on the asphalt after dusk cannot be seen, and it is the leading cause of mountain road accidents in winter.

Eating

Apples are the symbol of the area, and their by-products are everywhere in its markets. In winter, though, the table leans towards the hot: fatteh, soups, and grills in enclosed places. One warm meal in the middle of the day is enough to set the rhythm of a whole day in the cold.

Tips

• Snow chains or winter tyres are necessary in heavy waves.
• Fill up in Damascus, not up the mountain.
• Carry water and light food in the car in case of congestion or a closed section of road.
• Bring a change of clothes for children; a single hour playing in the snow is enough to soak everything.
• Cash is safer than relying on electronic payment.

Frequently asked questions