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FOOTPATHS OF THE HOLY MOUNTAIN |
FROM ZOGRAPHOU TO
VATOPEDI
VIA CHERA
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Distance: 7.1 km Journey
Time: 2¼ hours |
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© The Friends of Mount Athos, 2008 |
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This walk goes
deep into the heart of the Athos woods, far from any sign of human
habitation. After leaving
Zographou along a track, there is a sharp ascent by kalderimi, and then a more
gentle ascent by forest tracks, to Chera.
The route then descends by narrow paths through woods, with glimpses of
Vatopedi monastery.
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)
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And then. . . |
0
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From entrance of Zographou
Monastery, walk
diagonally up to the R, as directed by signpost to Vatopedi. |
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400 |
Where track bends,
take FP ahead (signed), to R of track down. |
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100 |
Ignore track to R. KSO up K. |
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700 |
Take forest track to L. |
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400 |
Ignore track to
L. KSO.
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50 |
Fork L and up on track
(signed).
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550 |
Turn R and down onto
narrow FP through woods.
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200 |
Arrive at Chera (‘The Hand’) – a brownstone
monument with directions. Follow
sign to Vatopedi:
straight on/R. Time
to this point, approximately 50 minutes.
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50 |
Fork L (signed). (R goes to Karyes). FP soon begins to descend, gently at
first, but later is steep and rocky in places.
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1950 |
Cross track. KSO on path.
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200 |
Cross track. KSO on path.
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100 |
Ignore FP to R and KSO down.
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700 |
Bear R on FP through
olive grove to pass man-made reservoir on R.
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500 |
Come to T-junction of
tracks and head towards sea on track.
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230 |
Track reaches the sea
and turns R along shore.
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220 |
Turn R up paved
road. (Straight on leads to Vatopedi arsanas.)
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150 |
Arrive at Vatopedi Monastery entrance.
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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.