FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
	FROM KARYES TO VATOPEDI
	Distance: 11 km Journey Time: 3 – 31/2 hours
© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2009 -- Version 0.4.2

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This is an attractive journey, with some fine views and scenery, for the most part along historic kalderimi or paved mule tracks. The initial section involves a gradual climb out of Karyes to around 450m. The route then roughly follows the contour of the mountain, often with views first back towards Karyes and Mount Athos and later down to the sea. It then descends from the ridge through forest to Vatopedi, near sea level.

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 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 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 Karyes main square, facing down main street towards Protaton, turn R, uphill, before fountain (on R).
20	Pass WC on L; KSO uphill.
90	Ignore FP (Kalderimi) up L by fountain on R; KSO on K.
330	Cross Daphni-Karyes road; KSO on track, signed Vatopedi & other monasteries, with Skete of St Andrew on R.
440	After ford, then bridge, KSO uphill on concrete, ignoring gated track R to kellion.
270	Ignore track R through gates (signed to Kellion Pateritsa).
160	At cross-roads with large painted metal cross (ahead, L), turn hard L uphill on concrete track. (FP (K) straight on used to be a lower path to Vatopedi , but is now overgrown and difficult to follow).
50	At junction, turn R onto FP (K) uphill, signed Vatopedi and elsewhere (note remains of fountain in wall to L of FP) Alternatively, KSO for a further 30m to junction (signed), with large ruined building ahead and turn hard R onto track, which FP joins from L in 100m (see next direction.)
90	FP joins track from back L. KSO on track
90	Ignore track up to L; KSO on track (now K in places).
230	At junction, fork L, signed to Vatopedi and various kellia.
410	At fork in tracks, turn R, downhill, signed Vatopedi by footpath (monopati) (NOT L, uphill, also signed Vatopedi, which leads to main road).
240	Where main track begins to descend steeply to R, KSO on level onto narrow FP, with white building visible ahead/R; signed Vatopedi. FP soon bears R down into small gully. Note that early sections of this path may become seasonally overgrown, but it becomes K.
900	Cross road; KSO on K.
170	Pass ruined fountain on L.
470	Bear L at fork, away from hillside. (Caution: FP may be overgrown & difficult to spot.)
50	FP bends R just before second fountain (dry) on L, and there turns 90° R.
210	Footpath becomes forest track; fine views down R to Pantokrator and the coast.
1180	After passing cement works, emerge at road and turn R.
50	Fork L up forest track.
420	Pass small cairn on L. (Small FP down L, now obscured by logging, leads to Skete of Agios Dimitrios.) . )
720	Turn L onto road.
230	Turn L onto FP (signed Vatopedi).
160	Turn L onto road; solar panels opposite to L. Immediately turn R off road down bank onto FP (signed Vatopedi).
1300	FP emerges onto road. Cross over road to track opposite (signed Vatopedi).
50	Turn R onto FP (signed Vatopedi).
970	Arrive at junction with road. Turn L down road. Ignore sign for FP sharp L.
300	At T-junction bear L. KSO past and ignoring 2 turnings to L.
100	At junction fork R onto K (signed Vatopedi).
200	At T-junction turn R.
100	Arrive at the gate of Vatopedi Monastery.

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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.