FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY
MOUNTAIN
FROM KOUTLOUMOUSIOU ARSANAS AT KALIAGRA TO KOUTLOUMOUSIOU MONASTERY
Distance – 4 km Journey Time 1 – 1½ hours
This walk
climbs from the small port (arsanas) of Koutloumousiou at Kaliagra up to the monastery itself. Much of the way is along shaded paths,
but there are higher stretches along tracks and roads. There are a handful of junctions along
the way where it is possible and easy to take a wrong turning and where
particular care should be taken.
Notes:
Be aware that, while the paths themselves do not move, over time it is
possible for other details to change (eg, signposts disappear or appear, new
roads or tracks appear). Distances
(in metres) have been measured by GPS and thus are horizontal measurements,
without allowance for ascents or descents; they are normally accurate to within
around 10 metres.
Abbreviations:
L =
Left; R = Right; KSO = Keep straight on;
FP = Footpath; K = Kaldirimi stone path
Description of Route:
Distance (m) Directions
0 Leave Koutloumousiou
Arsanas and turn L to
reach coastal path, with the sea to the L.
60 Immediately after small dwelling on R, turn R up FP (Take Care – easy to miss).
440 FP emerges onto track. Turn L along track.
90 Turn L off
track onto FP (Take Care – easy to miss).
260 FP emerges
onto R (possibly past pile of sand).
Turn R along road.
210 Turn L onto
track approximately opposite gated track.
90 KSO at rough crossing of tracks. Track becomes FP.
510 FP descends
to cross stone bridge. KSO
420 After
crossing stream, pass cross fixed to plane tree on L.
180 At
junction, turn R.
80 At
junction, turn/bear R (Take Care – easy to go wrong).
120 At rough
cross-roads on open ground, KSO.
FP becomes a track.
360 At
junction, turn R.
130 Track
emerges at concrete road, on bend.
KSO/L along road. Ignore
track to L signed Koutloumousiou Skete.
450 Pass FP on
L signed Iviron and old
bridge on L. KSO on road.
330 Road ends
at gates into Koutloumousiou grounds with monastery in view ahead. KSO through gates and along paved path.
100 Arrive at Koutloumousiou
Monastery entrance.
This description has been produced by The Friends of Mount Athos, a charitable organisation which, among other activities, works with monasteries to keep this, and certain other footpaths on the Holy Mountain, open. Copies of this and similar descriptions are available, free, from the Friends website, www.athosfriends.org and in a number of places on or associated with the Holy Mountain.
May 2007