The Friends of Mount Athos

President:

Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia

© Copyright 2007-2013 The Friends of Mount Athos. All rights reserved.

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The Footpaths of
Mount Athos

The Footpaths of Mount Athos: From Pantokrator to Karyes

Distance: 5.6 km      Journey Time: 1½ - 2 hours      Version 1.2

Language Switcher: to Greek

This route climbs from sea level to over 300m; the initial and final sections are quite steep, but not difficult. A fairly rough path ascends from the harbour below Pantokrator across open terrain, towards the main road. There follows a longish and fairly level stretch along the main road which roughly follows the line of the coast. A fine kalderimi path then descends to the road again before continuing up to Karyes.

Note: All distances given (in metres) should be taken as approximate. The route described is liable to unpredictable change: for example, forestry work, road or track construction and plant growth may alter the route, or its appearance. Signposts may disappear or new ones appear. The Friends of Mount Athos strives to keep this description correct and up to date but cannot take responsibility for its accuracy.

Abbreviations: L = Left;      R = Right;      KSO = Keep straight on;
FP = Footpath; K = Kalderimi (stone-paved FP or mule track)
Description of Route:
Walk (m) And then . . .
0 Leave Pantokrator Monastery by the main gate (facing the kiosk). Turn immediately R and R again following K road.
40 Turn L to follow zigzag paved road down to the harbour. KSO with boat house on L and past well house on R.
160 Cross bridge to reach junction of paths (L to Stavronikita and Iviron). KSO uphill on rocky FP, signed Karyes.
350 FP ends at track. Turn R onto track which after 100m merges with another track coming from back L.
450 Track joins main road at T-junction. Turn L along road.
1600 Ignore FP to L and track which forks L. (FP descends to coastal FP between Pantokrator and Stavronikita.)
250 Ignore track from back L (the FP route from Stavronikita to Karyes joins via this track).
300 Ignore road uphill to R (signed Skete of Profitis Ilias).
200 Road bends around to R. KSO (L off road) along track that soon becomes K, downhill (signs here back to Pantokrator and Profitis Ilias but not on to Karyes).
600 K emerges onto road near major road junction. Turn L along road then immediately R at T-junction. Cross bridge, ignoring track and paths to R.
180 Ignore track to R.
20 Turn R onto FP uphill (signed Karyes but easy to miss). FP becomes K after a few metres.
250 At T-junction, turn R (signed Karyes). Bear R on K along wall past Skete of Bourazeri (on L). Ignore new paved road L into the Skete. FP soon becomes stony path, then K again.
700 FP crosses track at staggered junction (turn L and then immediately R).
160 Cross track and KSO on FP.
70 Ignore FP off to R. Bear L following sign.
80 Ignore small FP on L and FP up to kiosk on R. KSO on main FP, now descending.
250 FP emerges at main Daphni - Iviron road at junction. Cross main road and follow FP beside road ahead into Karyes.
120 Arrive at Karyes square where the buses arrive.

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, in a number of places on or associated with the Holy Mountain, as well as by download from this website.