Routes
Tested itineraries, from half a day to a full week.
33 Routes
From al-Shaykh Badr to Hawat al-Jubab: the town of the 1918 revolt, two hill castles and a sinkhole
A day by car in the hills of Tartus: al-Shaykh Badr, where Saleh al-Ali declared revolt in 1918, the castles of al-Kahf and Qadmus, and a sinkhole 35 metres deep.
9 hours · 37.5 km · 4 stops · Moderate
Safita to Jabal al-Nabi Matta: a hill town, the Dreikish reservoir and a planted chestnut forest
A day trip by car from Tartus: Safita’s houses built from castle stone, the springs of Duraykish, a lake behind a 41-metre dam and a chestnut forest at 1100 metres.
8 hours · 36.9 km · 4 stops · Moderate
From Masyaf to Wadi al-Uyun: Rusafa Castle and the valley of springs
A 68-kilometre mountain day southwest of Masyaf: its Ismaili castle, tree-covered Rusafa, the waterfalls of Wadi al-Uyun and the Roman temple at Husn Suleiman.
8.5 hours · 67.8 km · 4 stops · Moderate
A day from Qamishli to Amuda: two cathedrals, Urkesh, Mor Elias and Chagar Bazar
A 104-kilometre day from Qamishli: two city cathedrals, Urkesh, holy city of the Hurrians, Mor Elias in Amuda, reopened in 2017, and Mallowan’s mound, Chagar Bazar.
7.5 hours · 103.9 km · 5 stops · Easy
Hama to Salamiyah day trip: Riba fortress, Shmemis Castle and the Ismaili town
An 87-kilometre day east of Hama: the dry-stone basalt ring at Riba, Shmemis Castle on its extinct volcano, and Salamiyah, the town the Ismailis rebuilt in 1849.
8 hours · 86.9 km · 3 stops · Moderate
A day on the edge of the Ghab: Bourzey Castle, the theatre of Apamea and Suqaylabiyah
A long 185-kilometre day from Hama: Bourzey 450 metres above the Ghab, lived-in Qalaat al-Mudiq, the theatre of Apamea and the Hagia Sophia copy in Suqaylabiyah.
10.5 hours · 184.9 km · 5 stops · Hard
Tartus to Baniyas: Maraclea, Burj al-Sabi, Margat and Qalaat al-Qawz
A day’s drive north from Tartus: the sunken base of the Maraclea tower, the Burj al-Sabi lookout, Margat Castle, Bronze Age walls in Baniyas and a coastal khan.
7 hours · 45 km · 6 stops · Easy
A day in the kingdom of Ugarit: Ras Ibn Hani, Ugarit and Gibala
The Bronze Age kingdom of Ugarit in one day from Latakia: the palaces of Ras Ibn Hani, the capital, the museum and Tell Tweini, its southern port. 45 km by car.
8 hours · 44.5 km · 4 stops · Easy
South of Tartus in a day: Amrit, Chastel Rouge, Tell Kazel and Areimeh
A day’s drive south of Tartus: Phoenician Amrit, the Crusader Chastel Rouge, Tell Kazel (ancient Sumur), a monastery rebuilt in 1806 and Areimeh Castle.
8 hours · 43.6 km · 5 stops · Moderate
Damascus to Muzayrib: a day drive along the first stages of the Hajj road
The Hajj caravan’s first stages south of Damascus in one day: Qadam station, Khan Dannun of 1376, the temple at As-Sanamayn, Muzayrib and Daraa’s railway junction.
8 hours · 122.6 km · 5 stops · Easy
Aleppo day trip: four Dead Villages of southern Jebel Sem’an
Four Dead Villages west of Aleppo in one day by car: a basilica dated 602, a 4th-century church, the standing colonnade of Batuta and a chapel with its stone roof.
7.5 hours · 72 km · 4 stops · Moderate
From Shahba to Umm al-Zaytoun, Shaqqa and Mushannaf: a day in the Roman Hauran
Three Roman villages on the edge of the Lajat: a kalybe dated 282, Shaqqa, a city from 287, and the temple at Mushannaf. 69 kilometres; not drivable today.
7 hours · 69 km · 3 stops · Easy
