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Rock climbing in Kalymnos
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Rock climbing guidebooks for Greece & Kalymnos
 

Rock Climbing in Kalymnos

It is said that Kalymnos has the highest concentration of sports routes anywhere in the world. Quite a bold statement but it is certainly true there is a colossal amount of rock to climb here. The current guidebook (available from our shop) describes 43 sports crags, mainly west and south facing, with over 800 routes ranging from F4a to F8c. The existing routes only cover a tiny portion of what is available to climb here. There are some quality crags still waiting for their first route - all they demand is a little longer walk-in.

The rock is top quality solid limestone, which is a little sharp in places. The style of the rock climbing has everything from stalactites and tufas on steep and overhanging wall to delicate slabs and pumpy walls with pockets and smaller tufa features. The majority of the routes are single pitch of around 20 to 30m. However there are a few longer routes reaching 3 to 5 pitches. The limestone at Kalymnos is as yet almost unpolished, and this will be slow to change given the particular rough surface of the rock.

Kalymnos is only a short ferry ride from Kos, and flying here and then getting the boat is the easiest and quickest way of getting to Kalymnos.

 
Popular Rock Climbing Areas of Kalymnos
 
Rock Climbing Crags of Kalymnos
No Crag Name
Total No of Routes
Grade Range
1 Styx
14
5c to 6c
2 Kastri
25
5a to 7b
3 Palace
34
4c to 7b+
4 Skalia Pillar
13
5b to 7b+
5 Ghost Kitchen
25
5b to 7b
6 Cave
19
4b to 7c+
7 Noufaro
38
5a to 7c
8 Arhi
65
4c to 8b+
9 Sea Breeze
21
4b to 6b+
10 Kasteli
36
4b to 7b
11 Odyssey
68
3c to 8c
12 Grande Grotta
15
6a+ to 8a+
13 Kalydna
20
6b to 8a
14 Poets
31
5a to 7a+
15 Ourania
17
5c to 8a
16 Symplegades Rocks
28
5c to 7a
17 Monastery
20
5b+ to 7a
 

The majority of the rock climbing sectors are situated above the villages of Myrties, Masouri and Armeos. All of these sectors can be reached from Masouri on foot, and the approach takes between 20 and 35 minutes. To reach the other sectors the best thing is to rent a scooter.

Masouri is the main place where rock climbers stay in Kalymnos, as the most popular crags are situated above this village. It is not unheard of to go to Kalymnos on your own and hook up with other rock climbers at the Glaros bar in Masouri.

 
All of the above information has been extracted from the new 2008 edition of the rock climbing guidebook for Kalymnos, which details 43 separate crags and over 800 routes. This guidebook can be bought from our shop.
Click on the images opposite to view a larger photograph, showing the excellent rock climbing to be found on the island of Kalymnos.
   
     
 
The new 2008 edition of the Kalymnos Guidebook
 
     
 

The new 2008 revised edition of the Kalymnos rock climbing guidebook is now available from our shop
 
     
 
 
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