If you are either an avid or an aspiring climber and have found a vacation rental in the South Aegean, then a trip to the island of Kalymnos is an absolute must. It is said to have the highest concentration of sport routes anywhere in the world with 66 crags and 3,400 different routes to choose from, though this is only a tiny portion of possible climbs that have been marked and explored. One of the best climbing destinations in the world, it combines a wide range of types of crags and levels of challenge with the most extraordinary setting and views, making the whole thing a rather magical experience overall.
The climbing at Kalymnos is set in four different areas on the island, the largest concentration of crags and routes are above the villages of Myrties, Masouri and Armeos, the area around the villages of Arginonta, Skalia, and Emporios is also well-established, the routes on the island of Telendos are newly explored, while the southern part of the main island is the least developed.
The climbing at Kalymnos is set in four different areas on the island, the largest concentration of crags and routes are above the villages of Myrties, Masouri and Armeos, the area around the villages of Arginonta, Skalia, and Emporios is also well-established, the routes on the island of Telendos are newly explored, while the southern part of the main island is the least developed.
There are also three main styles of climbing to be found in Kalymnos including extremely overhanging routes with blobs, tufas, and stalactites, slightly overhanging or vertically smooth white and orange walls with pockets and smaller tufa features, and sharp grey slabs full of water pockets with little iron knobs cemented into the wall, though the best routes combine all three styles. However, the most important feature of the climbing at Kalymnos is that there is a wide range of grades that are suitable for climbers of all abilities. Local shops and schools offer equipment, buddy schemes, and classes so that both those first beginning and well-versed and everyone in between can all partake. For lots of more information on the routes, facilities and more, check out this website.
It is best to visit in the Autumn, between September and November, or in Spring, between March and May, as it won't be unbearably warm, as it can be in Summer, or wet, as it can be during the Winter. Come visit this world famous climbing destination in Greece and see for yourself why it attracts climbers from all over the globe.
It is best to visit in the Autumn, between September and November, or in Spring, between March and May, as it won't be unbearably warm, as it can be in Summer, or wet, as it can be during the Winter. Come visit this world famous climbing destination in Greece and see for yourself why it attracts climbers from all over the globe.
Photo credit: Hlohning / CC BY-SA 2.5