RockKalymnos - Grande Grotta
One of the most important crags on Kalymnos lies just above the sleepy village Armeos. In actual fact this immense rock face, called Grande Grotta, is divided up into three sectors, each with different characteristics, but each with one unique quality: the exceptional rock and routes.
the routes start way on the left at the sector "Afternoon", which gets its name from the fact that it stays in the shade until after midday. The sector is marked by its enormous corner, and offers about 20 easy routes on rough rock.
The central wall, the "Grande Grotta", is perhaps the most impressive overhang on Kalymnos and definitely an obligatory stop-off point for those climbing hard routes.
To the right of the "Grande Grotta" lies the sector "Panorama", with its slightly overhanging, technical and pumpy routes... almost 30 meters of stamina supreme.
GETTING THERE
Reach Masouri and park at Hotel Filoxenia. Follow the obvious path through the olive grove and via red markers to the crag. To reach Afternoon continue on left, to reach Panorama continue right. 20 minutes.
THE CLIMBING
Technical and pumpy climbing on grey and yellow limestone.
NOTES
Panorama Grande Grotta - Matthieu Selme
Kalymnos rock climbing in Greece
GETTING TO KALYMNOS
By boat
Kalymnos can be reached by boat from the island Kos. Once you have landed in Kos, take a taxi to the port at Mastichari and catch the next boat to Kalymnos from there. Mastichari is 10 minutes by taxi from Kos airport and the taxi ride costs €12 - €15 euro in total. Regular ferries and smaller speed boats make the Mastichari – Pothia (Kalymnos) route regularly. The ferry ride takes approximately 45 minutes and costs €4; the speedboat takes approximately 25 minutes and costs €6.00. When you arrive at Pothia (the main port in Kalymnos) you will find a number of taxis waiting. A taxi ride to Massouri costs between €10-15, depending on the number of passengers and luggage. Alternatively, you can rent a scooter or car, or inquire about the public bus schedule departing in front of the City Hall. There is a tourist information kiosk at the port exit. To check the Kos – Kalymnos ferry timetable, go to www.danae.gr and enter ‘Mastichari’ and ‘Kalymnos’ in the respective fields. You can also call the Port Authority of Kos for an automated timetable message in English on the following number: +30 22420 26594. In the unlikely event that there is no taxi waiting at Pothia, call the taxi station on the following number: +30 22430 50300.
By plane
In high season Olympic Air flies Athens - Kalymnos regularly and a return ticket costs approximately euro 200.
Further info
Full info on getting to Kalymnos here: www.climbkalymnos.com/?page_id=2628
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kalymnos Rock Climbing Guide – 2016 Edition. Aris Theodoropoulos. 3000 rock climbs, English
