FOOTPATHS
OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
FROM VATOPEDI TO ESPHIGMENOU
Distance – 10 km. Journey
Time 3 – 3½ hours
This attractive journey, with
fine views and scenery, divides into three roughly equal sections. The first section is along the coast;
for the second, the route turns inland and climbs up a wooded valley to the
pass. Both these sections are
mainly along historic kaldirimi or paved mule tracks. For
the final section, the path has been superseded by a forest road which descends
steadily, partly along a ridge, to the Monastery of Esphigmenou and the sea.
Notes: Be aware that, while the paths
themselves do not move, over time it is possible for other details to change
(eg, signposts disappear and 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 On leaving the gate
of Vatopedi Monastery turn R.
40 After
passing kiosk on L, fork L down FP with old olive trees.
(R
fork goes down to arsanas and the sea.
If this route is preferred, leave the arsanas with the sea on the R
to join the route below in 120 m.)
110 On
reaching the shore, turn L along track beside sea.
240 At
point where track turns L inland, KSO along shore with wall on L.
310 Where
shingle ends, bear L away from sea, below a small chapel (now on R). FP becomes K.
200 Cross
track coming from back right (olive grove on L and cypresses beyond). Continue
on K, ignoring paths on R.
660 Pass
fountain (dry). FP bears R.
730 After
intermittent views back to Vatopedi and along coast to N, pass
fountain (dry) set back to L.
320 Path
turns sharp left and begins hairpin for descent to shore
160 Reach
shore and continue above shingle to pick up path opposite between shore and
headland.
390 Path
emerges at wide valley. The
original FP curved left here but has become blocked. Instead, continue along shore to find forest road running
inland. Turn L onto wide track.
[Approx
time to this point – 1 hr 10 mins]
276 Fork
right onto FP – difficult to spot
244 Cross
first of several rivers
470 At
sharp L turn, begin to climb more steeply
330 Cross
forest road and KSO, with large rock on left
930 Reach
clearing with bend in forest road on L; Mt Athos peak now visible behind; path
continues R (signed)
610 Pass
stone pillar on L – the boundary between Vatopedi and Esphigmenou land. KSO
360 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.
390 Cross
fence over road. KSO
510 Ignore
tracks on right. KSO/L (signed).
380 Ignore
track on R
320 Pass
shrine with flag on L
320 Join
another track entering from L.
160 Ignore
track to R; KSO through gate (signed)
100 Fork
L (signed)
600 Reach
junction with agricultural buildings; turn R before buildings (signed) with
cultivated valley on left; view of Esphigmenou monastery soon appears.
240 Reach
monastery wall; turn L and follow wall round to main gate.
100 Arrive
at main gate of Esphigmenou
Monastery.
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