FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN

 

FROM PANTOKRATOR TO VATOPEDI

 

Distance – 8.5 km.  Journey time 2½ – 3  hours

 

© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2007

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This is an attractive journey, with some fine views and scenery, for the most part along historic kaldirimi or paved mule tracks.  The first section involves a steady climb from Pantokrator, at sea level, to the ridge at around 450m, initially with views back to the monastery and along the coast, with Mount Athos in the background.  From the ridge it then joins the path from Karyes to descend through forest to Vatopedi, near sea level, crossing or joining the main road on occasions.   

 

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 Pantokrator Monastery by main entrance by kiosk.

          40     Ignore turning L down to harbour; bear R on level.

        170     Ignore road joining from back R.

                  Ignore track to R, signed Vatopedi.  [This is an alternative route to Vatopedi by track, which the FP rejoins near the top of the ridge – see ‡ below.]

        460     Turn R off road, signed Vatopedi, climbing steeply up bank onto FP.

        130     Keep to R along K, ignoring FPs to L.

          40     KSO over open area. Ignore track to R.

          70     Bear R, ignoring FP to L.  Take care – easy to go wrong here.

        300     KSO over barbed wire/stile.

      2190     At T junction, FP becomes track.  KSO along track.

          50     At T-junction, turn L onto track.  [‡ The route from Pantokrator  along track rejoins here, from R.]

        740     At white pole gate, reach T junction with road.  Turn L (South, towards Karyes).  [Turning R leads to Vatopedi along the main road.]

  [c.150*]     Turn hard R onto FP (signed Vatopedi).

        160     Turn L onto road. Immediately turn R off road onto FP (signed Vatopedi).  Path begins to descend more steeply

[c.2300*]    FP emerges onto road. Cross over road to track opposite (signed Vatopedi)

          50     Turn R onto FP (signed Vatopedi)

  [c.800*]     Arrive at T junction with road. Turn L along road. Ignore sign for FP sharp L.

        300     T junction. Bear L.  KSO past and ignoring 2 turnings to L.

        100     At T junction take R onto K (signed Vatopedi)

        200     At T junction turn R.

        100     Arrive at the gate of Vatopedi Monastery.

[* approximate – to be validated]

 

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