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FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY
MOUNTAIN
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FROM ESPHIGMENOU TO VATOPEDI
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Distance: 10 km Journey
Time: 3 - 3½ hours |
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© The Friends of Mount Athos,
2008
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This attractive journey, with
fine views and scenery, divides into three roughly equal sections. For the first section, the traditional
path has been superseded by a forest road which climbs steadily up a valley and
along a ridge. The remainder of
the route is almost entirely along historic kalderimi or stone paved paths. The second section leaves the road near
the top, crosses into the next valley and descends to the sea. The final part of the route follows the
coast to the Monastery of Vatopedi.
Notes:
Be aware that, while the paths themselves do not move, over time it is
possible for other details to change (e.g., 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 should be taken as an
indication, rather than an exact measurement, of distance.
Abbreviations: L = Left; R = Right; KSO = Keep
straight on;
FP
= Footpath; K = Kalderimi (stone-paved FP or track)
Description
of Route:
Walk (m)
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And then. . . |
0
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Turn L out of Esphigmenou Monastery gate and L again round monastery wall. |
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100 |
Take main track R opposite monastery wall
and follow side of cultivated valley. |
|
240 |
Take track first L (signed) by buildings
(on R) |
|
550 |
Fork R where
track turns L. |
|
100 |
KSO on track through gate,
ignoring track to L.
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160 |
Bear
L on track; ignore track straight on/R. |
710
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Bear R on main track at fork and continue
along ridge with sea below on L |
500
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At crossroads go R (signed) |
370
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Cross fence across track which continues
along R side of ridge |
390
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Turn diagonally L off track onto FP (signed
Vatopedi, but
easily missed) |
360
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Pass Esphigmenou-Vatopedi boundary stone on R. Continue on; at open clearing, FP
drops L (signed). |
1600
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Cross forest
track. KSO along FP. Lower down FP crosses several rivers. |
1200
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Turn L onto
track/sandy path/riverbed. (Ignore
original FP continuing straight on – now impassable.) |
200
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At shore turn
R. Follow shoreline to pick up FP just above beach. |
300
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Cross riverbed
to pick up K climbing diagonally R at next headland. |
300
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After zigzag
bends upwards FP levels out and continues with sea below on L. |
500
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Pass stone
fountain (dry), set back, behind and to R. |
730
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At second
fountain (dry) on R, FP turns 90° L. |
660
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Cross track; olive grove to R; KSO on FP;
passing chapel above on L. |
180
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Reach shore soon after passing the above chapel and continue beside sea with wall on R. |
330
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Join track and continue KSO. |
220
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Turn R up paved road. (Straight on leads to Vatopedi arsanas.) |
150
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Arrive at Vatopedi Monastery entrance. |
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.