Rock Climbing Crete, Greece

Rock Climbing Crete

KALATHAS

Rock climbing by the sea in Kalathas, in the Chania Province. These rocks don't exceed 15 meters, but all of them have a difficulty level of IV - VII. There are about 30 routes and variations. Kalathas is located 10 km outside of the city of Chania on the Akrotiri peninsula. All routes have permanent anchors for top-roping.

STAVROS

The beach of Stavros is located in the Akrotiri peninsula, 14 km outside the city of Chania. The crag rises behind the beach. There are 6 routes ranging in height from 60 to80 metres and difficulty levels from V to VII. There are no intermediate permanent anchors before the top.

THERISSO

Just outside Chania lies Crete's rock climbing paradise: the Therisso gorge. Along the road leading to the village of Therisso, there are several V-VIII routes many of which bolted. Therissos is 14 miles southwest from the city of Chania.

GIGILOS

The most impressive rock climbing terrain in Crete. Right above the SAMARIA GORGE. To reach the routes you need to follow the mountain trails for an hour or follow the Gigilos peak trailhead at the Xyloskalo gorge entrance. About 15 routes have been established and there are many parallel ones to them. The difficulty level ranges from V to VII, at the most. Due to the particularities of the climbing location, there are few intermediate permanent anchors before the top. The height ranges from 400m to 800m. This site is for those who are passionate for challenging routes.

PALIOKASTRO

The beach of Paliokastro is situated right below the bridge of the Heraklion-Rethymnon National Road. On the right hand side there is a 15 metre rock which has 3 routes with a difficulty level ranging from V to VII. There are also parallel routes of similar difficulty. The permanent anchors on the routes allow for top-roping.

KOPSIAS

These rocks are located above the Iraklio - Agio Nikalaos National Road in the KOKKINI CHANI area. Kopsias encompasses a climbing field where rocks don’t exceed 60 meters in height. About 20 routes have been established with difficulty levels ranging from IV to VIII.

AGIOFARAGGO

Agiofaraggo is located beside the KALOI LIMENES bay in the southern part of the Iraklio province. Six 50 metre high routes have been established . The difficulty level ranges from V to VII.

KAPETANIANA

In the ASTEROUSIA mountain range, in southern part of Iraklio province, the village of Kapetaniana lies beside the tall summit of KOFINAS. Apart from the locals, an Austrian couple of permanent residents have bolted the entire rock climbing area. The climbing routes are not very high, 15m to 60m, but the difficulty ranges from IV to VIII. To climb the routes just a single length of rope (50m) is necessary.

ALMYROS

Very close to the city of Iraklion heading west lies the gorge of the Almyros river. In the entrace of the gorge on the right wall, two routes have been established which are of about level VI difficulty. Access to these routes is difficult and complicated.

DIKTI

The second most impressive crag in Crete after GIGILOS. It is situated above the LASITHI high plateu at the LIMNAKARO plain, expanding on the hillside of SPATHI. 14 routes have been established on the rock ranging from IV to VI+ difficulty. None of the above are equiped with permenant anchors. Only competent climbers with proper gear should attempt this.