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. |
|
If time allows, it is recommended to KSO
to visit Chera,
in view 40m ahead, as described below.
Otherwise, turn hard L onto ridge FP, signed Karyes, and continue at † below. | |
| To visit Chera | |
| 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.) |
|
Then retrace steps (signed Vatopedi and Karyes)
back to the ridge/Vatopedi FP junction.
Note: Beyond Chera, the FP to the L leads to Zographou while bearing R is the ridge FP towards Hilandar and Esphigmenou. |
|
| 40 | At junction with ridge FP, take R fork, signed Karyes, onto ridge FP and continue at † below. (L is the FP back to Vatopedi.) |
| Continuing to Konstamonitou: | |
| † 120 | Pass large covered well (disused) on L. KSO, climbing gently on FP with good stretches of K. |
| 1400 | Shortly after FP crosses from west side to east side of ridge, with views down towards Vatopedi, FP to Konstamonitou leaves ridge to R through gap in stone wall (signed). Turn R, downhill, starting a steep descent. |
| 360 | Cross stream-bed. FP now runs on the L side of the stream or in the stream-bed itself. |
| 280 | Emerge at little-used track. KSO/L on track (signed Konstamonitou after 10m). |
| 460 | Turn L off track onto descending FP (noting but ignoring sign to
Konstamonitou along the track). FP descends very steeply. Note: Continuing along track also leads to Konstamonitou but by a much longer route. |
| 250 | At fork, turn R. |
| 400 | Cross stream-bed and climb bank to reach empty area. KSO. |
| 20 | Take FP (marked with orange tape) uphill at the foot of the cliff (ignoring large track to R). |
| 300 | Arrive at Konstamonitou Monastery entrance. |