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 120m. |
| 150 | On reaching the shore, turn L along track beside sea. |
| 250 | At point where track turns L inland, KSO along shore with wall on L. |
| 350 | Where shingle ends, bear L away from sea, below and to the L of a small chapel. FP becomes K, with wall on L. |
| 100 | Cross track coming from back right (olive grove on L and cypresses beyond). Continue up K, ignoring paths on R. |
| 650 | Pass fountain (dry) on L. FP turns 90° R. Note (1): Some 700m later, there is a second fountain set back from path on L, but this is now obscured by bushes. Note (2): As of May 2012 it was necessary to climb over a large pile of earth deposited across this stretch of the FP. |
| 1100 | K bears R towards sharp bend starting descent to shore. |
| 200 | K ends at beach (signed Esphigmenou). FP continues across river-bed and beach. |
| 100 | Reach track descending from L. KSO/R along track which winds along cliff. |
| 400 | Track reaches wide valley and bears L, inland, with river-bed on R.
(Approx time to this point: 1 hr 10 mins.) |
| 250 | Fork right onto FP. Caution: May be difficult to spot. |
| 300 | Cross first of several rivers. |
| 500 | At sharp L turn, begin to climb more steeply. |
| 350 | Cross forest road and KSO, with large rock on left. |
| 900 | Reach clearing with bend in forest road on L; Mt Athos peak may be visible behind; path continues R (signed). |
| 700 | Pass stone pillar on L (the boundary between Vatopedi and Esphigmenou land). KSO. |
| 400 | FP ends at broad track. (Approx time to this point: 2 hrs 15 mins.) Turn R down track which continues all the way to Esphigmenou. |
| 400 | Cross fence over road (opposite direction signed Vatopedi). KSO. |
| 350 | Ignore tracks on right. KSO/L (signed). |
| 550 | Ignore track on R (signed twice back to Vatopedi). |
| 350 | Pass shrine with flag on L. |
| 350 | Join another track entering from L (signed). |
| 200 | Ignore track to R; KSO through gate (signed). |
| 150 | Fork L (signed). |
| 600 | Reach junction with buildings (motor pool); turn R before buildings (signed) with cultivated valley on left. View of Esphigmenou Monastery soon appears. |
| 300 | Reach monastery wall. Turn L and follow wall around to main gate. |
| 100 | Arrive at main gate of Esphigmenou Monastery. |