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) |
| Walk (m) | And then . . . |
|---|---|
| 0 | On leaving the gate of Vatopedi Monastery
turn R to pass kiosk on L, and KSO down paved road which descends
steeply to the shore. Note: Turning R after the kiosk leads down to the arsanas. If this route is preferred, leave the arsanas with the sea on the R to join the route below in 120 m. |
| 150 | On reaching the shore, turn L along track beside sea. |
| 200 | Track crosses stream. |
| 30 | Follow the track when it turns L, inland. |
| 230 | Turn R where track bears L with lesser track on R, KSO on small FP steeply uphill through olive grove (signed on trees). Views appear back L to man-made reservoir and Vatopedi. |
| 500 | At top of olive grove, FP continues more distinctly, through trees. |
| 800 | Cross forest road and KSO. Track initially continues parallel to FP on L. |
| 200 | Cross forest road and KSO, uphill. FP is steep and rocky, with remains of K. |
| 2000 | FP flattens out and enters woodland to join ridge FP (signed Karyes) coming from back L. |
| 40 | Arrive at Chera (‘The Hand’)
– a brownstone monument with directions (altitude 350m)
marking the crossing of the ridge.
(Approximate time to this point: 1½ hours.) Ignore FP on to Zographou to L. KSO/R following signs to Hilandar and Esphigmenou. |
| The FP continues roughly along the ridge for a long distance, through varying terrain, mainly wooded, sometimes open. There are a few very good views in both directions, especially of the coast and Vatopedi Monastery, and back towards Mount Athos. | |
| 3200 | FP ends at forest track. Turn L onto track which turns R in 20m and starts to descend. |
| 400 | Pass to L of old stone water cistern. KSO on track. |
| 600 | At a small open plateau (good views of Mount Athos), turn R, downhill, still on track that becomes K. |
| 750 | At junction with K to L, turn L, downhill (views back L towards Zographou). |
| 70 | FP bends R. |
| 20 | FP crosses stream to end at road (marked with orange tape). Climb bank up to road and turn L along road. |
| 100 | Turn R off road onto FP which begins to climb (marked with orange
tape). Note: Continuing along the road leads to Zographou (signed) after 7.5km. This route is very isolated and without sources of water. |
| 400 | At top of hill KSO past large stone monument with marble cross (Marmarenios Stavros in Greek) on R and descend hill (good views behind monument). |
| 350 | Arrive at the point where the paths to Hilandar and Esphigmenou divide. |
| For FP to Hilandar, turn L through gap and over bank (signed Hilandar and marked by orange tape), and then immediately turn R. (FP straight on leads to Esphigmenou.) | |
| 350 | Pass stone obelisk on L of FP. (This has inscriptions on each side and is a frontier marker between Hilandar and Esphigmenou territory). |
| 40 | Cross stream. |
| 400 | Cross another stream. |
| 1100 | FP ends at road. Descend steep and difficult bank and turn L along road. |
| 30 | Turn R off road onto FP (marked with orange tape and red-and-white waymark). |
| 300 | FP descends, sometimes steeply, to road. (Monastery is now in view.) Turn L along road. Ignore roads to R and L. Pass graveyard and ossuary on R. |
| 140 | Arrive at the main entrance to Hilandar Monastery. |