FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
	FROM IVIRON TO KARYES VIA KOUTLOUMOUSIOU
	Distance 4.5 km Journey Time 1½ – 2 hours.
	(5 km with detour to Kellion Panagoudes)
© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2008 -- v. 0.21

This route ascends from sea level to over 300m; the climb is well-graded since almost the entire route is along a fine, broad kalderimi path which for much of the way follows the course of a river, initially to the left of the path, latterly to the right. Once the path leaves the broad valley in which Iviron lies, it is almost entirely through trees.

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)	And then. . .
0	Leaving Iviron entrance, KSO, slightly uphill, with kiosk on R. Ignore paved path R down to arsanas and sea.
40	At fork, with gate and steps ahead, bear L up K, with valley to L (views back to monastery as FP climbs).
650	Cross track. KSO on K.
280	Pass chapel on L. KSO on K.
520	Cross bridge over river which is now on R.
90	Fountain ahead/L as path turns to R.
930	Cross bridge over stream, keep L following wall.
180	Note FP to L signed to Kellion Panagoudes.
	To visit the kellion, former home of Fr Paisios, turn L along path and follow detour described at ‡ below.
	Otherwise, KSO along K.
220	Ignore second FP to L signed to Kellion Panagoudes and KSO to cross stream.
50	Buildings ahead across valley. Bear L on K.
520	FP ends at concrete road. Turn hard L, uphill along road.
† 100	After buildings on L, track meets road from L. (Detour to Kellion Panagoudes returns to main route here.)
200	Concrete road ends. KSO through gates with Koutloumousiou monastery ahead.
100	Entrance to Koutloumousiou is on L. For Karyes, KSO.
310	KSO through gates out of Koutloumousiou grounds.
170	Ignore K up L opposite bakery. Bear R along K, with Protaton ahead/L and, KSO along Karyes main street.
210	Arrive at Karyes main square.
Detour to visit Kellion Panagoudes, former home of Fr Paisios
‡ 0	Turn L off main Iviron – Karyes path onto FP. Go uphill, bear L at fork.
50	Turn hard R at kellion gate. Then ignore all paths joining from R until L turn towards gate signed Panagoudes. Follow path R round boundary, then L up hill.
250	Path ends at Kellion Panagoudes. After visit, retrace steps.
30	At first junction, turn L.
20	Path joins from R. KSO.
50	Descend to bridge across stream, then L up zig-zag path.
100	At junction, turn L.
200	FP levels & becomes track. At fork, bear R through stile.
500	Up track, pass kellion on L and then pass behind buildings on R. Ignore FP off R.
290	At T-junction with concrete road, turn L onto road (at point marked † above).

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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.