FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
	FROM PANTOKRATOR TO KARYES
	Distance: 5.5 km Journey Time: 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 hours
© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2008

This route climbs from sea level to over 300m; the initial and final sections are quite steep, but not difficult. A fairly rough path ascends from the harbour below Pantokrator across open terrain, until it reaches the road. There follows a longish and fairly level stretch around a headland along the road. A fine kalderimi path then descends to the road again before continuing up to Karyes.

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	Leave Pantokrator Monastery by main gate by kiosk and zigzag down to harbour. KSO past well-house and over bridge.
200	Reach rough crossroads (L to Stavronikita, R to Profitis Ilias). KSO uphill (signed Karyes). Ignore tracks branching off to L. Keep bearing R; FP becomes track.
470	Ignore track to left.
220	Track joins road at T-junction. Turn L along road. 1150 Ignore signed track to left.
2220	Road bends around to R. KSO (L off road) along signed track that soon becomes K (signs here to Pantokrator and Profitis Ilias but not to Karyes).
570	K emerges onto road. Turn L along it then immediately R at T-junction. Cross bridge.
180	20 m past track off to R, take FP uphill to R (signed Karyes but easy to miss). FP becomes K after a few metres.
250	At T-junction, turn R (signed Karyes one way, Pantokrator, Iviron and Stavronikita the other).  Bear R along wall past skete on L. Stay on track; ignore new paved road which leads into the skete.
70	At fork, KSO along K. Water pipe on R.
670	FP crosses track at staggered junction: turn L along track then R back onto K. Signed back to Pantokrator, but not on to Karyes. FP becomes stony path then K again.
160	Join track at T-junction. Turn R, then after 20 m turn L along FP signed to Karyes.
40	Ignore FP off to R. Correct way is signed Karyes.
60	Ignore track on L. Kiosk is on R. Descend to Karyes.
30	Arrive at T-junction with road. Turn R along R then immediately L at next T-junction onto road into Karyes.
20	Arrive at Karyes Main Square.

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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.