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KALYMNOS

The information in this database was assembled by Nick Smith based on information from Aris Theodoropoulos, Steve McDonnell and the Municipal Tourist Organization of Kalymnos. Aris runs Kalymnos Climbing and is the area's main activist.

Kalymnos is the fourth largest island in the Dodecanese chain of Greek islands, which include Kos and Rhodes, situated close to the Turkish mainland. While small at only 40 square miles it packs in an amazing range of routes on its limestone cliffs, and it's size makes it ideal for getting around without a hire car. The best of the climbing (at the moment) is concentrated around the small tourist town of Massouri, a 20 minute taxi ride from the island capital and ferry port of Pothia. Many quality 1 and 2-pitch sport routes from fine F4+ slabs to overhanging F8b stamina fests have been developed, with some spectacular climbing available on tufas and stalactites. Autumn and Springtime are the best times for climbing, with most crags in the shade until mid-afternoon, allowing you to enjoy a well deserved siesta on the beach or a swim in the sea after a hard morning of climbing.

ROUTES
1 trad route (7c)
626 sport routes (3...9a)
50 of the Best Routes top50
Graded List of Routes
List of First Ascents

Crag (click for details) No. of Routes Grade Range Route Type Sunshine
or shade		 Approach walk Other Page
Seaside Kitchen
Known as 'Ghost-Kitchen' in the local guide. Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 23
_---
sport     windy -
Cave
Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 20
-^--
sport     windy -
Galatiani
Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 21
----
sport     windy -
Black Forest
Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 8
_--_
sport     windy -
Belgian Chocolates
Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 31
_^--
sport     windy -
Arhi
Arhi means ‘beginning’ in Greek and this was where it all started a few years...		 60
-^^^
sport sun from mid-morning uphill
5 mins		   9
Sea Breeze
Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 26
-^-_
sport     windy -
Summertime
Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 18
---_
sport     windy -
Kastelli
Kastelli has some of the best lower grade climbs on the island, with some...		 34
-^_-
sport afternoon sun up+down
10 mins		 windy 13
North Cape
This is the long wall across the hillside from Odyssey. It has a small set of...		 24
_^--
sport     windy -
Odyssey
Odyssey is the most extensive and arguably the best crag yet developed on...		 64
-^^^
sport afternoon sun level
15 mins		 seepagedry in rain 15
Ocean Dream
A slab of perfect grey rock set amidst some impressive rock scenery. The...		 18
----
sport afternoon sun uphill
60 mins		 windy -
Iliada
Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 33
_^^-
sport     windy -
Grande Grotta
Perched high over the town of Armeos, and visible from most of the apartment...		 105
-^^^
sport evening sun uphill
30 mins		 seepagedry in rain 23
Poets
The closest cimbing to most of the climber’s accommodation on Kalymnos is the...		 68
_^^^
sport afternoon sun uphill
15 mins		 windy 32
Symblegades Petres
Not included in the MiniGUIDE.		 40
_^^-
sport     windy -
Monastery
This small crag, with a good set of mid-grade routes, is situated to the south...		 19
_---
sport lots of sun! up+down
25 mins		   -
Saint Photis
This relatively recently developed crag offers a small set of good routes in a...		 15
_---
sport afternoon sun up+down
30 mins		 windy -
 What do these symbols mean?
Averages, based on the largest buttress at each crag
Latest Comments
KALYMNOS
Gladiator (Grande Grotta)
"Really quality route, 3* for sure for me. Varied pumpy climbing on tufas blobs a..." 08/Jun top50

Dafni (Seaside Kitchen)
"Easier than totenhansel" 04/Jun

Polifemo (Odyssey)
"Harder than many kalymnos 7c's, but probably ok when you've got the move sorted...." 26/Apr top50

Ektor (Iliada)
"The crux is much harder than the rest of the route which slightly spoils it in m..." 15/Apr

Rognol (Galatiani)
"Take care to a loose flake and some doubtful holds." 23/Mar

Calipso (Odyssey)
"Start now very polished. I had to slap a move with my feet threatening to pop. T..." 19/Nov

Damokles (Kastelli)
"Stay left of the bolts on the upper wall to claim the 6a." 10/Nov

Pipe Cleaner (Poets)
"Very nic tufa climbing, but over-rated: 7a+ seems right, as written on the rock...." 08/Nov

Pindaros (Poets)
"Oct 09, Lower off complete with crab and chain." 23/Oct

Ixion (Poets)
"Another great pitch. Easier than Nickel. I thought 7a was sufficient." 19/Oct

Ibria (Poets)
"Sharp at the crux." 19/Oct

Ziegen Peter (Grande Grotta)
"In the local guide book, Ziegen Peter is 18m, and the 6b Astree extension is ano..." 05/Oct

Beautiful Helen (Iliada)
"I must agree with Iain. This one is a contender for the best 6a+ route I've ever..." 11/Sep

Aphrodite (Grande Grotta)
"graded 7a+ in the guide, agree with that; the crux its quite polished" 15/Jan

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