FOOTPATHS
OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
FROM VATOPEDI TO KARYES
Distance – 11 km. Journey
time 3 – 3½ hours
This is an attractive journey,
with some fine views and scenery, for the most part along historic kaldirimi or paved mule tracks. The initial section involves a steady
climb through the forest from Vatopedi, near sea level, to the ridge at around 450m,
crossing the road to Karyes at a number of places.
The route then roughly follows the contour of the mountain, often with
views down to the sea, before decending gradually to Karyes.
Notes: Be aware that, while the paths
themselves do not move, over time it is possible for other details to change
(eg, signposts disappear or 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
Leave Vatopedi Monastery entrance and turn L along paved road.
50 At
fork with covered well on L, bear L along walled K (signed Karyes)
100 At T-junction, turn
L (signed Karyes)
150
At crossroads bear L
along road.
100 At T-junction, bear
L. Ignore minor tracks to R.
70 At
T-junction bear R, uphill on road.
300 As road bears L,
fork R onto
FP to Karyes
(and Pantokrator). (Closeup of Footpath to Karyes )
[c.800*] FP
emerges at track. Turn L along
track.
50 At
T junction of track with road, KSO on FP which continues across road.
[c.2300*] Turn
L onto road and immediately R off road onto FP.
160 FP emerges at
road. Turn R along road.
230 Fork R onto FP.
720 Ignore path back R
(by small cairn). KSO.
420 FP emerges at
road. Turn R along road.
50 Fork
L off road onto wide track past cement works (on R); fine views down to Pantokrator and the sea soon appear
to L.
1180 Track
becomes FP; KSO on K.
210 Pass fountain with
large plane tree on R.
520 Pass second fountain
(dry) on R.
170 Cross road; KSO on
level path. Fine views ahead to
Skete of St Andrew, Karyes and Mt Athos appear.
(Note: later parts of this section may become
seasonally overgrown.)
900 Emerge at road: turn
R along it, uphill.
240 At 3-way junction
where main road hairpins R, KSO/L (signed Karyes).
410 At T-junction, turn
R on track signed Karyes. Track shows
evidence of K.
230 Ignore track up R
and KSO.
170 At large ruined
building on R, turn hard L onto concrete track downhill.
80 At
cross roads with large metal cross (on L), turn R onto track signed Karyes.
160 Ignore track L
through gates (to Kellion Pateritsa).
270 Ignore tack back L
to kellion; KSO over bridge and past water works (on R).
440 Cross main Karyes-Daphni road; KSO on K, signed Karyes.
330 Ignore FP (K) up R.
110 Arrive at Karyes
Main
Square.
[* approximate – to be validated]
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