Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA)

What Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA) does

Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA) is a Lebanese nonprofit association, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Baabda, that manages the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) — a 450–470 km national long-distance hiking corridor extending from Andqet in the north to Marjaayoun in the south, transecting 75+ villages, 5 protected nature reserves, and 6 Important Bird Areas at altitudes ranging from 570 to 2,011 meters. The trail is organized into 27 sections plus side trails (108 km), network trails (16 km), and geo trails (27.2 km), navigated via a standardized color-coded waymarking system (white/purple main trail, yellow/purple side trails, green/purple network/geo trails) and Google Earth KMZ/KML GPS files updated monthly. LMTA also operates the 24 km Baskinta Literary Trail, side trails including Bchaaleh and Hammana-Falougha, four Jbeil geo trails inaugurated in December 2024, and is consultant/contractor for the 130 km Darb Mar Charbel pilgrimage trail launching in 2026.

The organization's product portfolio spans trail access and infrastructure, education programs (Trail to Every Classroom with Water Awareness curriculum in Arabic, English, and French), annual publication of the Voices of the LMT magazine, accessible tourism via Joëlette chair integration across 5 nature reserves, and signature events including the April Thru-Hike and October Fall Trek. LMTA derives revenue from tiered memberships (Supportive $100/yr, Active $40/yr, Adrian Life $750 one-time), donations (preset $10–$1,000 plus custom), merchandise (full map set $25, section maps $4), and — most significantly — restricted grants from international development institutions including USAID, KfW, AICS, EU, GEF, GIZ, Swiss Cooperation Office, UNDP, and ILO. Distribution occurs through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store, a network of 25+ trained local guides, 40+ recommended guesthouses, 8+ partner eco-tour operators, and a US-based support entity (American Friends of the LMT) with international ambassadors in 10 countries.

LMTA's customer base splits between individual hikers and outdoor enthusiasts (25,000+ annual users), international tourists requiring guided and visa/security-clearance-supported experiences, rural mountain communities benefiting from micro-entrepreneurship and trail-related employment, and institutional grant providers. Co-founding memberships in the Med Trails Network (Sept 2023), World Trails Network, UN Mountain Partnership, and five international Friendship Trail partnerships (Canada, South Korea, Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica) extend the organization's reach beyond Lebanon. LMTA has no disclosed AI, no proprietary software beyond basic GPS files, and operates with a board and executive unit whose individual headcount is not publicly stated.

Name

Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA)

Legal name

Lebanon Mountain Trail Association

Website

https://lebanontrail.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA) manages Lebanon's only national long-distance hiking trail — a 450 km corridor crossing 75+ villages and 5 nature reserves — serving individual hikers, international tourists, and rural mountain communities via membership, donations, merchandise, and donor-funded projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation and Trail Tourism

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Mountain Guiding (THAJABAA)

Keywords

• Trail management services
• Long-distance hiking trails
• Outdoor recreation tourism
• Trail conservation programs
• Eco-tourism association

Headquarters

HQ city

Baabda

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual and lifetime membership fees providing supporters access to LMTA activities and contributing to trail conservation efforts.
2. Donations: Individual donations supporting trail sustainability and conservation efforts, with various preset amounts available.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling publications (maps, guidebooks), clothing, gear, water bottles, and membership gift items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The LMTA manages, maintains, and promotes the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT), a 450-km national long-distance hiking trail crossing 75+ villages and five nature reserves in Lebanon. The association sells trail maps and publications, runs tiered membership subscriptions, organizes annual Thru-Hike and Fall Trek events, coordinates a network of trained local guides and recommended guesthouses, and delivers environmental education programs such as Trail to Every Classroom.

Product overview

The Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA) manages a unified platform centered on the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT), a 450km national hiking corridor. The product portfolio includes trail access (main trail, side trails, network trails, and geo trails), publications (maps, Voices of the LMT magazine), membership subscriptions, educational programs (Trail to Every Classroom), accessible tourism initiatives, and event organization (Annual Thru-Hike). LMTA also provides local guide services and maintains a network of recommended accommodations along the trail.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) A 450-km national long-distance hiking trail extending from Andqet in northern Lebanon to Marjaayoun in the south, transecting more than 75 towns and villages at altitudes ranging from 570 meters to 2,011 meters. Open to individual hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and guided tour groups.
• Trail Publications and Maps Printed LMT map packs and section-specific trail maps available for purchase through the LMTA online store. Full set of printed maps costs $25; individual section maps are priced at $4 each. Targeted at hikers and outdoor enthusiasts planning trips on the trail.
• Membership Program Tiered membership subscriptions including Supportive Member ($100/year), Adrian Life Member ($750 one-time), and Active Member ($40/year). Members support trail conservation and gain access to LMTA activities, with active membership requiring one prior year of supportive membership and board approval.
• Voices of the LMT Magazine Annual magazine publication documenting trail activities, conservation efforts, community stories, and environmental education across the Lebanon Mountain Trail. Published since 2012 with Issue #13 released in 2025.
• Annual Thru-Hike Event Annual end-to-end hiking event organized in April, typically spanning 27 sections over 31 days and attracting over 85 hiking enthusiasts. The 12th annual Thru-Hike took place in April-May 2022 with 5 participants completing all 27 sections. Open to individual hikers seeking a guided group thru-hike experience.
• Local Guide Services Network of trained local guides for all 27 LMT sections and side trails, with boot-rating accreditation system indicating training completion level. Guides can be booked by individual hikers and tour operators for guided hikes.
• Accommodation Network Curated network of 40+ recommended guesthouses, hostels, monasteries, and small hotels along the trail, managed independently but vetted and recommended by LMTA for various sections from Andqet to Marjaayoun.
• Darb Mar Charbel Trail A 130-km pilgrimage trail modeled after Spain's Santiago de Compostela, covering significant sites related to Lebanon's patron saint Mar Charbel. LMTA serves as consultant and contractor overseeing field scouting, trail development, and mapping. Scheduled for official launch in 2026.
• Side Trails and Network Trails Six side trails (including Douma, Bchaaleh, Ehmej, Bkassine, and Hammana-Falougha) and four network trails (Menjez, Ain Ebel, and others) extending the main LMT experience. Includes newly inaugurated trails such as the 2023 Bchaaleh Side Trail (ILO/KfW project) and the Hammana-Falougha Side Trail.
• Geo Trails Geological trails including Jaj Nature Reserve Geo Trail, Jord el Aaqoura Geo Trail, Ehmej Baatara Sinkhole Geo Trail, Ehmej El Aaqoura Geo Trail, and Mechmech Akkar Geo Trail, plus the four-trail Jbeil Geotrails network inaugurated in December 2024.
• Baskinta Literary Trail A 24-km thematic literary trail passing through Baskinta, marked with renovated information panels and directional signs, highlighting local literary heritage. Established as part of the original LMT project (2006-2008).
• Jbeil Geotrails A trail network of four geotrails in the high mountains of Jbeil: Jaj Nature Reserve, Ehmej-Balouaa Baatara, Ehmej-El Aaqoura, and Jord El Aaqoura. Inaugurated in December 2024.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Shouf Biosphere ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner managing the Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve which LMT sections 18-21 traverse. Coordinates access and guided hikes for trail portions within the reserve.
• Horsh Ehden Nature ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nature reserve partner with trails intersecting the LMT route, offering protected area access for hikers.
• Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtected area partner hosting portions of the LMT trail with cedar forest ecosystems.
• ECODITcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal project developer that led establishment of the LMT (2006-2008) with $3.3M USAID funding. Continued partnership in trail development.
• Ministry of Environment (Lebanon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry coordinating on accessible tourism project and environmental protection initiatives along the trail.
• Ministry of Tourism (Lebanon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry partner supporting LMT promotion and tourism development along the trail.
• UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner for Accessible Tourism Project funded by AICS, supporting inclusive trail experiences.
• Fédération Française de la Randonnée PedestrecoreTechnology or IntegrationFrench hiking federation partnership (MOU signed Sept 2024) for trail development, waymarking, and capacity building. Provides expertise in trail management.
• Bruce Trail Conservancy (Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriendship Trail partner - twinning of trails as mark of international cooperation between trail organizations.
• Jeju Olle (South Korea)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriendship Trail partner - international trail twinning partnership.
• Trilha Transcarioca (Brazil)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriendship Trail partner - international trail cooperation.
• Crans Montana (Switzerland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriendship Trail partner - new partnership announced Sept 2019 for international trail exchange.
• Sendero Pacifico (Costa Rica)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriendship Trail partner - twinning with LMT Section 2 (Tashea-El Qemmamine) formalized Feb 2020.
• Med Trails NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst network of Mediterranean long-distance hiking trails launched Sept 2023 with LMTA, AFRAT, TETRAKTYS, Region Sud, JTA (Jordan), PHTU (Palestine) for regional trail cooperation.
• AFRATminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Med Trails Network launch for Mediterranean trail development.
• Jordan Trails Association (JTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Med Trails Network - regional trail network development.
• Palestine-Holy Land Trails Union (PHTU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Med Trails Network - regional trail network development.
• ICRCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Committee of the Red Cross partnership for trail development and community support.
• EcoConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education partner collaborating on Environmental Championship Program (Abtal el Bi'a) for youth.
• Collège MelkartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner for environmental education and school programs.
• Darb Mar Charbel ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLMTA serves as consultant and contractor for 130km pilgrimage trail project modeled after Santiago de Compostela, covering sites related to Saint Mar Charbel. Official launch slated for 2026.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bruce Trail Conservancy: Canadian nonprofit managing the 900km Bruce Trail. Direct friendship trail partner with LMTA; comparable nonprofit trail management model with membership and conservation programs.
• Pacific Crest Trail Association: US-based nonprofit managing the 4,265km Pacific Crest Trail. Identical operating model to LMTA: trail management, volunteer engagement, long-distance hiking, and member-supported conservation.
• Jeju Olle: South Korean trail organization managing the 425km Jeju Olle Trail. Direct friendship trail partner with LMTA; comparable mission, scale, and operating model.
• Bibbulmun Track Foundation: Australian nonprofit managing the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track. Same membership and trail management model as LMTA at larger scale, with volunteer-maintained waymarking and accommodations network.
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: US-based nonprofit managing the 3,500km Appalachian Trail with membership, volunteer trail maintenance, and thru-hike culture. Closest conceptual peer to LMTA: same business model, mission, and operational structure, at much larger scale.
• Jordan Trails Association (JTA): Manages the 650km Jordan Trail. Founding member of Med Trails Network with LMTA; comparable regional scale and long-distance trail management mission.
• Te Araroa Trust: New Zealand nonprofit managing Te Araroa, a 3,000km long-distance trail. Directly comparable long-distance trail nonprofit with similar membership and conservation model.
• Hayduke Trail: Volunteer-managed long-distance backcountry trail in Utah/Arizona. Comparable concept of a long-distance trail with community-led stewardship and waymarking.

Emerging players

• Palestine-Holy Land Trails Union (PHTU): Founding partner of Med Trails Network with LMTA; comparable in mission and regional long-distance trail concept but smaller in scale and trail mileage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lebanon-mountain-trail-association-lmta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (LMTA)