FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
	FROM PHILOTHEOU TO KARYES and KOUTLOUMOUSIOU
	Distance: 9.2 km Journey Time: 2½ - 3 hours
© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2008

This route mostly follows the contours of the mountain, although there are one or two steep places. While the initial and final sections are mainly along traditional kalderimi paved stone paths, there is a long middle section along a road. But there are fine views from the road down to Iviron and along the adjacent coast.

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, 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 L out of Philotheou Monastery entrance , with monastery wall on L. At the end of the wall, bear L on K between buildings ahead.
110	Cross track and KSO, passing chapel on R. Then turn R (signed Koutloumousiou) and immediately L on K (signed Karyes and Koutloumousiou) to descend into valley.
250	Cross bridge with waterfall and fountain on L. Continue on K, now climbing steadily up the opposite side of the valley.
560	Emerge at broad track and turn L.
160	Fork R to join road.
600	At next fork, ignore track up L. KSO on road.
160	Cross watercourse and bear R (uphill for a short while).
500	KSO at crossroads of tracks to L and R.
300	At T-junction, turn L, uphill (R, downhill, signed Iviron).
1200	Ignore track to kellia down R.
1000	Ignore FP on R before building signed Iviron.
400	Ignore track to kellia down R.
700	At major junction, turn R off main road, signed Prodromos; then immediately L onto FP (K). Excellent view of Karyes.
380	With gate ahead, bear L, uphill.
200	Descend path to join track and turn L along track towards kellion, passing kellion on R.
70	Turn L downhill from the kellion gate.
110	Pass fountain on L. Cross river (tricky - care needed)
540	FP emerges at track with building to R ahead. Turn L onto track.
40	At road, turn R along road.
140	Ignore two adjacent tracks on R. Ignore further tracks up L and down R. KSO along road.
1080	Just before road bends to R, take FP (K) ascending to L.
150	At buildings, KSO with buildings on R. Monastery of Koutloumousiou becomes visible ahead.
50	Reach monastery wall and turn L to follow wall.
80	At Junction:
For Koutloumousiou Monastery, bear R and follow monastery wall.
50	Arrive at monastery entrance.
For Karyes, KSO along K.
270	FP joins Koutloumousiou – Karyes path, beside gates into Koutloumousiou grounds (on R). KSO away from monastery.
170	Ignore K lane that goes up L opposite bakery. Bear R along K, with Protaton ahead and, keeping it on L, continue along Karyes main street, past bar and fountain.
210	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.