ROCK CLIMBING.

The organized rock climbing courses in Kalymnos.

The various crags of Kalymnos Island have all the requirements for climbing in the sun or in the shade and also a choice from slab to horizontal roof...
It's possible to climb on a sea cliff or on an excellent North-facing wall of more than 150 metres.

This magnificent area has the following to offer: mountain biking, windsurfing, trekking, tourism, visits to historical monasteries and museums and, of course, very "intense” tanning on the numerous and rugged beaches of the area!

1. Beginners:

Learning the ropes in Kalymnos Rock climbing at its best is vertical ballet performed outdoors, where the stage is a cliff far from the stifling smoke and din of the city. The choreography is an anticipation of the moves that the rock will allow without us losing our balance. What has to be achieved is a harmony between the body and the surface of the rock. The movements of the body must be in tune with the morphological melody of the cliff, and this oneness requires judgement, co-ordination, suppleness, courage and self-confidence.

The ideal is to climb the rock freely - where "freely" means using only the natural surface of the rock to pull or step up and rest on. All the equipment apart from the shoes is used not for the ascent but only as a safety measure.

Once we know our abilities and we know how to protect ourselves as we climb, the risks of injury are minimal. Many climbers emphasise that the danger involved in climbing is less than the danger involved in driving to the cliff.

2. Intermediate level:

A selected Climbing Week in the most interesting cliffs of Kalymnos, from the most famous to the new ones: All this with a large choice of difficulty, therefore good for each climber.

• Day 1: arrival in Pothia port: transfer to Kantouni, if possible with a "climbing stop" in a cliff of Kastro.
• Day 2: Archi sector (Arginonta) pitches from 4a to 7c
• Day 3: Odyssey (the main sector of Kalymnos) pitches from 4b to 8b
• Day 4: Multi-pitch climbing to sector School, pitches from 4a to 6a
• Day 5: Sector "Symbligades" an rock amphitheatre with pitches from 5b to 7a
• Day 6: Sector Kasteli, a crag next to the sea, pitches from 4a to 7b.
• Day 7: Sector Odyssey or Arhi, pitches from 4a to 8b.
• Day 8: leaving for Pothia port, if possible with a "climbing stop" in a cliff of the area

The school of Kalydna Island Hotel

The best way of acquiring the basic rock climbing skills is to join a school under the direction of a qualified, experienced and caring instructor. The best choice is the school, which is run by Aris Theodoropoulos, the main rock-climbing activist in Kalymnos.
For beginners, the objective is to provide the knowledge and experience necessary to begin to lead climbs with confidence and safety. The emphasis is on climbing freely with a good technique, following all the necessary safety measures on both the ascent and the descent.
Instruction is offered over a continuous ten-day period. 10 days concentrating on climbing in one of the most beautiful islands of Greece: "The search for climbing paradise ends at the Greek isle of Kalymnos" reportedly the famous American magazine ROCK & ICE (2/2001).
A comfortable vacation between climbing and the sea. The best way to combine sport and relax Rock climbing and a pleasant stay in our hotel.

Kalydna Island Hotel offers 10 foul days of climbing holidays in Kalymnos for climbers ranging from complete beginners to more experienced climbers wishing to develop their climbing skills and technique.
Courses are flexible and with small groups we can readily tailor the school to meet your individual requirements.
The school is well aware that what matters is not just the training but the total experience, and in this the friendly atmosphere created by the instructors counts for a great deal.
The school provides all the necessary safety equipment: ropes, harnesses, helmets, runners, nuts, etc. - everything except rock climbing shoes.
No previous experience is necessary, only a reasonable level of physical fitness, a desire for a personal challenge and a love of nature.
On the basis of the results the school awards successful students with a certificate.
The leader of the school, Aris Theodoropoulos, gained his qualification as mountain guide and climbing instructor. As both mountaineer and rock climber he has been exceptionally active both in Greece and abroad, and has been at the forefront of developments in Greek climbing.

One of his recent developments is the climbing supervision of the island of Kalymnos, the new, world rock-climbing paradise.

Go to the Kalydna Island Hotel.

For more information do not hesitate to contact us!

Back to the Top of the page!

Take me back to the previous page!

• Island tour.
• Sponge factory.
• Going for a meal.
• The Citadel
• Christ of Jerusalem.
• Monastery All Saints.
• Pera Kastro.
• The Caves.
• Diving.