FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN

 

FROM PHILOTHEOU TO KARYES & KOUTLOUMOUSIOU

 

Distance:  9.2 km       Journey Time:  2½ – 3 hours

 

© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2007

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This route mostly follows the contours of the mountain, although there are one or two steep places.  While the initial and final sections are mainly along traditional kaldirimi paved stone paths, there is a long middle section along a road.  But there are fine views from the road down to Iviron and along the adjacent coast.

 

 

Notes:  Be aware that, while the paths themselves do not move, over time it is possible for other details to change (eg, signposts disappear, 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         Turn L out of Philotheou Monastery entrance, with monastery wall on L.  At the end of the wall, KSO on K between buildings ahead.

   110         Cross track and KSO, passing chapel on R.  Then turn R and immediately L on K to descend into valley.

   250         Cross bridge with waterfall and fountain on R.  Continue on K, now climbing steadily.

   560         Emerge at broad track and turn L.

   160         Fork R to join major road.

   600         At next fork, ignore track up L.  KSO on road.

   160         Cross watercourse and bear R, uphill.

   500         KSO at crossroads on major road.

   300         At T junction, turn L, uphill (R, downhill, signed Iviron).

1200         Ignore track to kellia down R.

1000         Ignore FP on R before building signed Iviron.

   400         Ignore track to kellia down R.

   700         At major junction, fork R off main road, signed Prodromos; then immediately L onto FP (K).

   380         With gate ahead, bear L, uphill.

     50         Descend path to join track and turn L along track towards kellion, passing kellion on R.

     70         Fork R down K, passing kellion entrance on R.

   110         Pass fountain on L.  Cross river (CAUTION)

   540         FP emerges at track with building to R ahead.  Turn L onto track.

     40         At road, turn R along road.

   140         Ignore two adjacent tracks on R.  Ignore further tracks up L and down R.  KSO along road until É

1080         As road bends R, take FP (K) straight ahead.

   150         At buildings, KSO with buildings on R.  Monastery of Koutloumousiou becomes visible ahead.

     50         Reach monastery wall and turn L to follow wall.

     80         At Junction:

 

For Koutloumousiou Monastery, bear R and follow monastery wall.

     50         Arrive at monastery entrance.

 

For Karyes, KSO along K.

   270         FP joins path from Koutloumousiou to Karyes, beside gates into Koutloumousiou grounds (on R).  KSO away from monastery.

   170         Ignore K FP up L opposite bakery.  Bear R along K, with Protaton ahead and, keeping it on L, continue along Karyes main street, past bar and fountain to ...

   210         Arrive at Karyes main square.

 

 

 

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