FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
	FROM KARYES TO IVIRON VIA KOUTLOUMOUSIOU
	Distance: 4.5 km; Journey Time 1 ½ - 2 hours
	(5 km with detour to Kellion Panagoudes)
© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2009 -- v. 0.21

This route descends from 350m to sea level. Apart from a possible detour, almost the entire route is along a fine, broad kalderimi path which for much of the way follows the course of a river, initially on the right bank, latterly on the left bank. The route is through trees until the valley broadens to give views of, Mount Athos, Iviron and the sea.

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	From the Main Square in Karyes, follow the main street, passing the fountain, bar, Epistasia and Protaton on the R. Bear R following main street.
210	Ignore lane/K up R; KSO/L past bakery, down out of town.
170	Pass through gate into the grounds of Koutloumousiou monastery. KSO through second gate.
310	Entrance to Koutloumousiou Monastery on R, KSO.
100	Pass through gate to leave monastery grounds and KSO downhill along concrete road.
200	At track to R just before buildings –
	To visit Kellion Panagoudes, former home of Fr Paisios, turn R along track and follow detour described at ‡ below.
	Otherwise, KSO along concrete road.
100	Turn hard R onto FP (kalderimi) signed Iviron.
570	Cross stream and KSO with river on L. Ignore FP on R.
† 220	Ignore second FP on R, signed Panagoudes. (Detour to Kellion returns to main path here.)
180	Cross bridge over stream and bear L, now uphill.
930	Pass fountain on R as path turns L.
90	Cross bridge over river; path continues with river now on R.
520	Pass chapel on R.
280	Cross track; KSO, signed Iviron.
390	Valley widens; Iviron now visible ahead.
260	At approach to monastery, bear R at fork, past kiosk (on L).
40	Arrive at entrance to Iviron Monastery.
Detour to visit Kellion Panagoudes, former home of Fr Paisios
‡ 0	Turn R off concrete road onto track and pass behind buildings to L. Ignore FP to L.
290	Bear L through gate & pass kellion on R.
500	At next gate track joins from back R. KSO on track which soon becomes FP and goes downhill.
200	At T-junction, turn R downhill, signed to Panagoudes.
100	Turn R across bridge over stream. FP begins to climb.
50	Fork R (signed).
20	At T-junction, turn R uphill.
30	Path ends at Kellion Panagoudes. After visit, retrace steps.
30	Ignore FP to L (= outward route); KSO downhill. At following three junctions, fork R.
220	Turn hard L at kellion gate, downhill.
50	At T-junction, turn R onto main FP (K) to Iviron (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.