FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
	FROM KOUTLOUMOUSIOU TO ITS ARSANAS AT KALIAGRA
	Distance: 4 km Journey Time: 1 – 1 1/2 hours
© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2008

This walk leads over a combination of roads, tracks and paths from the monastery down to its small port (arsanas) at Kaliagra, intersecting along the way with roads and paths to Stavronikita and Iviron. There is a variety of scenery and features to enjoy along the way, including a bridge across a busy stream, open fields, and stretches of shaded kalderimi.

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	Leave Koutloumousiou Monastery and turn R down paved FP.
100	Pass through gate to leave monastery grounds and KSO downhill along concrete road.
330	Ignore FP on R signed Iviron. KSO past old bridge on R.
450	Where road bends to L, signed Karyes and Stavronikita, KSO on track that goes straight on, signed Iviron and Koutloumousiou Skete. Ignore track to R, signed Koutloumousiou Skete.
130	At junction where main track makes hairpin bend to R, KSO going L on minor track, signed Kaliagra.
360	Where track makes hairpin bend to R, KSO onto FP, signed Kaliagra.
120	At T-junction in FP, turn L (not signed).
80	At junction, turn L (not signed).
180	Pass cross fixed to plane tree on R before crossing stream.
420	Cross stone bridge and follow FP, now uphill.
510	Reach open area and rough crossroads. KSO, as FP becomes track. (Old FP goes off to R then turns L, but is very hard to find.)
90	Track reaches road at T-junction. There is a gated track almost opposite (to Kaliagra, for vehicles). Turn R along road.
210	Turn L along FP/track. (In May 2008 the entrance was marked/obscured by a pile of sand.) This becomes a pleasant shady walk, downhill.
260	FP emerges onto track. Turn R along track.
90	Turn R off track onto FP at a corner (red painted marks on tree).
440	FP emerges onto coastal track between Iviron and Stavronikita with small dwelling on L, opposite tower. Turn L for Koutloumousiou Arsanas (and Stavronikita; R leads to Iviron).
60	Turn sharp R to arrive at Koutloumousiou Arsanas.

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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.