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FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY
MOUNTAIN
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FROM VATOPEDI TO ESPHIGMENOU
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Distance – 10
km. Journey
Time 3 – 3½ hours |
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© The Friends of Mount Athos,
2009
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This attractive journey, with
fine views and scenery, divides into three roughly equal sections. The first section is along the coast;
for the second, the route turns inland and climbs up a wooded valley to the
pass. Both these sections are
mainly along historic kalderimi or stone paved paths. For
the final section, the path has been superseded by a forest road which descends
steadily, partly along a ridge, to the Monastery of Esphigmenou and the sea.
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)
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And then. . . |
0
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On leaving the gate of Vatopedi Monastery turn R. |
40
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After passing kiosk
on L, fork L down FP with old olive trees.
(R fork goes down to arsanas and the sea. If this route is preferred, leave the
arsanas with the sea on the R to join the route below in 120 m.) |
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110 |
On reaching the shore, turn L along track
beside sea. |
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240 |
At point where track turns L inland, KSO
along shore with wall on L. |
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310 |
Where shingle ends,
bear L away from sea, below a small chapel (now on R). FP becomes K. |
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200 |
Cross track coming
from back right (olive grove on L and cypresses beyond). Continue up K,
ignoring paths on R.
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660 |
Pass fountain
(dry). FP turns 90° R.
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730 |
After intermittent
views back to Vatopedi and along coast to N, pass stone fountain (dry) set back
to L.
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320 |
K bears R towards
hairpin for descent to shore.
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160 |
K descends to
beach. At just before bottom, FP
starts to skirt around the beach.
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390 |
Path emerges at wide
valley. The original FP curved
left here but has become blocked.
Instead, pick up gravel track/riverbed running inland. Fork L onto wide sandy path.
[Approx time to this point: 1 hr 10 mins.]
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276 |
Fork right onto FP
(difficult to spot).
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244 |
Cross first of
several rivers.
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470 |
At sharp L turn,
begin to climb more steeply.
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330 |
Cross forest road and
KSO, with large rock on left.
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930 |
Reach clearing with
bend in forest road on L; Mt Athos peak may be visible behind; path continues
R (signed).
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610 |
Pass stone pillar on
(the boundary between Vatopedi and Esphigmenou land). KSO.
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360 |
FP ends at broad track.
[Approx
time to this point: 2 hrs 15 mins.]
Turn R down track which continues all the way
to Esphigmenou.
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390 |
Cross fence over
road. KSO.
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510 |
Ignore tracks on
right. KSO/L (signed).
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380 |
Ignore track on R.
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320 |
Pass shrine with flag
on L.
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320 |
Join another track
entering from L.
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160 |
Ignore track to R;
KSO through gate (signed).
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100 |
Fork L (signed).
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600 |
Reach junction with
agricultural buildings; turn R before buildings (signed) with cultivated
valley on left. View of Esphigmenou monastery soon appears.
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240 |
Reach monastery wall;
turn L and follow wall around to main gate.
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100 |
Arrive at main gate
of Esphigmenou 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.