Trekking the Kalymnos trail in Greece

Flight to Kos and meeting at the Kos Airport. Transfer to the Marina and accommodation on the boat. The skipper will give a safety briefing. Sailing from Kos to Kalymnos, We will have to sail about 16 miles to the village of Pothia the main town on Kalymnos, a first contact with sailing that will be more or less exciting depending on the weather. Arrival in Pothia. Dinner in a taverna and sleeping on the boat.

We will warm up with a short hike, starting directly from the port in direction South. We will walk about 1 km on the road before turning to the path following the coast to the small church of Agios Georgios and from here to the bay and village of Vichadya where we will have dinner and find our boat for the night.

A more strenuous day, double distance of the first day, about 8 km along the coast at an altitude between 150 and 200 meters. From Vichadya we will target the churches of Aghia Ekaterini, Aghios Andreas, the climbing wall of Pytari and one more church Aghios Costantinos. From here continue hiking until we reach the cliff of Saint Photis. We will find the boat and the skipper in the bay of Linaria. After a rest and a late lunch we will sail to the Island of Telendos where we are going to have dinner in a typical Greek tavern.

We will walk around the island of Telendos and reach the top. After a big breakfast we start walking through the small village and follow the South coast of the island walking below impressive cliffs. This is a goal for climbers from all over the world. From here we will climb down, passing next to the church of Aghios Kostantinos, all the way to the sea level and close the loop reaching the village an about 4:30 hours. Snack, relax and a short sailing to the village of Emborios and the Island of Kalymnos. Dinner in one of the best restaurants of the island.

We will walk from Embrios to Sycati Bay. From the village we follow the trail taking us next to the climbing cliffs and later we continue following shepherd trails, sheep folds built in natural caves, stone stairs cut in the rock allowing us to pass where sheer walls would have stopped our way. We will climb to the highest point of the Patela peninsula (441 m) and from there down to the amazing Sikati Cave, a huge limestone hole formed when the ceiling of the cave collapsed. We can descend into the hole using some fixed ropes that are on the spot. From here to Sikati Bay where we will find the boat and the skipper waiting for us. It will be a 4:30/5 hours walk. With a short sailing we will go to the Palionisos Bay to a dinner on a balcony overlooking the sea. The rocking of the boat will not be needed to fall asleep.

The day starts with a short sailing to the Bay of Pezonda. From here we will walk to the village of Vathi, a tiny, beautiful natural harbour carved between steep walls and a green back country green of agriculture and citrus trees, an oasis in the barren island. We will walk partly by the sea and partly on higher ground but always surrounded by beautiful sights. Reaching the small village will be a great pleasure as well as trying the local specialties in the local tavernas. A deserved night sleep will follow.

A comfortable, short walk on the Italian Path, the beautiful paved mule-track built by the Italian soldiers in 1912 during the Italo-Turkish War. We will leave the port following the easy track and reach a saddle just below Agati Peak, and we will descend with a stunning view of Pothis, were we have started walking a week before. Once in the town we reach the port and board the boat. We will then cross to Kos where we will arrive in the evening, just in time for dinner. Small party to celebrate the end of the trekking. We will sleep in Kos Marina on the boat.

Breakfast and transfer to the Airport. There are many interesting classic Greek ruins in Kos if your flight is in the afternoon.