FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN

 

FROM KARYES TO IVIRON,

VIA KOUTLOUMOUSIOU

 

Distance 4.5 km                  Journey Time 1 – 1¼ hours.

(5 km with detour to Kellion Panagoudes)

 

© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2007

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This route descends from over 300m to sea level; apart from the detour, almost the entire route is along a fine, broad kaldirimi path which for much of the way follows the course of a river, initially on the right bank, latterly on the left bank.  The route is through trees until the valley broadens to give views of, Mount Athos, Iviron and the sea.

 

Notes:  Be aware that, while the paths themselves do not move, over time it is possible for other details to change (eg, signposts disappear and 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       Directions

 

              0           From the Main Square in Karyes, follow the main street, passing the fountain, bar, Epistasia and Protaton on the R.  Bear R following main street.

          210       Ignore K path up R; KSO/L past bakery and out of town.

          170       Pass through gate into the grounds of Koutloumousiou monastery.

          310       Entrance to Koutloumousiou Monastery on R, KSO

          100       Pass through gate to leave monastery grounds and KSO downhill along concrete road.

200              track on R before buildings –

                       To visit Kellion Panagoudes, former home of Fr Paisios, turn R along track and follow detour described at ‡ below.

                       Otherwise, KSO along concrete road.

          100       Turn hard R onto FP (kaldirimi) signed Iviron

          570       Cross river and KSO with river on L.  Ignore FP on R.

         220       Ignore second FP on R, signed Panagoudes (Detour to Kellion returns to main path here).

          180       Cross bridge over stream and bear right, now uphill.

          930       Pass fountain on R as path turns L.

            90       Cross bridge over river; path continues with river now on R.

          520       Pass chapel on R.

          280       Cross track; KSO, signed Iviron.

          390       Valley widens; Iviron now visible ahead.

          260       At approach to monastery, bear R at fork, past kiosk (on L).

            40       Arrive at entrance to Iviron Monastery.

 

Detour to visit Kellion Panagoudes, former home of Fr Paisios

‡            0       Turn R off concrete road onto track and pass behind buildings to L.  Ignore FP to L.

          290       Pass kellion on R.

          500       Track joins from back R.  KSO on track which soon becomes FP and goes downhill.

          200       At T-junction, turn R, signed to Panagoudes.

          100       Cross stream.  FP begins to climb.

            50       Fork R (signed).

            20       At T-junction, turn R.

            30       Path ends at Kellion Panagoudes.  After visit, retrace steps.

            30       Ignore FP to L (= outward route); KSO/R.  At following three junctions, fork R.

          220       Turn hard R at kellion gate.

            50       At T-junction, turn R onto main FP(K) to Iviron (at point marked   above).

 

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