FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
	FROM PANTOKRATOR TO VATOPEDI
	Distance: 8.5 km Journey Time: 2½ - 3 hours
© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2008

This is an attractive journey, with some fine views and scenery, for the most part along historic kalderimi or paved mule tracks. The first section involves a steady climb from Pantokrator, at sea level, to the ridge at around 450m, initially with views back to the monastery and along the coast, with Mount Athos in the background. From the ridge it then joins the path from Karyes to descend through forest to Vatopedi, near sea level, crossing or joining the main road on occasions.

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	Turn R out of Pantokrator Monastery main entrance.
40	Ignore turnings L downwards; KSO.
170	Fork R off K; path is level, then goes up onto road. At end of bend in road, ignore track to R, signed Vatopedi. [This is an alternative route to Vatopedi by track, which the FP rejoins near the top of the ridge, at the point marked ‡ below.]
460	Turn R off road, signed Vatopedi, climbing steeply up bank onto FP.
130	Continue on FP, ignoring FPs to L.
40	KSO over open area. Ignore track to R.
70	Bear R, ignoring FP to L. Take care – easy to go wrong here.
2500	Continue through woods. Towards end, after stone fountain (dry) on L, FP widens to track.
‡ 50	Where path meets forest track, turn L onto track. [The route from Pantokrator along track rejoins here, from R.]
740	At white pole gate, reach T-junction with road. Turn L (South, towards Karyes). [Turning R leads to Vatopedi along the main road.]
110	Turn hard R onto FP (signed Vatopedi).
160	Turn L onto road. Immediately turn R off road onto FP (signed Vatopedi). Path begins to descend more steeply.
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	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.