The river emerges from two sources: The Roueiss grotto in Aaqoura that provides two thirds the flow of the Nahr Ibrahim and from a huge cavern, the Afqa Grotto, that provides a third of the flow, nearly 1.5 km above sea level before it drops steeply through a series of falls and passes through a sheer gorge through the mountains.

[1] It passes through the town of Nahr Ibrahim before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea north of Beirut.

[2][3] The ancient city of Byblos stood near its outlet and was a site for the veneration of Adonis, the god of love, rebirth, and beauty in Phoenician mythology.

Indeed, the river flows red each February due to the volume of soil washed off the mountains by heavy winter rains, making it appear that the water is filled with blood.

[1][2][3] Due to the river's mythological connections, it was revered in ancient times and its valley contains the remains of numerous temples and shrines.