KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: Skalia to Sikati Cave and back via a ridge walk.

Explore quiet northern Kalymnos. Discover a tiny sandy bay, a huge cave adorned with tufa and stalactites and another view-laden ridge walk through fragrant, spiky garrigue and vibrant spring flowers. This walk is accessible by public bus. Distance: 9.2km Height gain: 470m (for optional extension to Emborios add 2.5km, minimal extra height gain and loss) Continue reading KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: Skalia to Sikati Cave and back via a ridge walk.

KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: The Italian Path from Pothia to the Vathys Valley and back to Hora

A classic Kalymnian walk with a wiggle. Wind your way out of the noisy port town of Pothia for a meditative ascent of the paved Italian path. Glide through a broad pass and descend to the flower scented farming valley of Vathys. Follow the bees and grasshoppers along a quiet farm track to a church then thread back up through the ridge and descend below the ancient castle to rejoin the bustle at Hora. Continue reading KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: The Italian Path from Pothia to the Vathys Valley and back to Hora

KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: The Arginonta Valley and the Italian Emplacement.

A circular walk in the north of the island around the Arginonta valley. This walk is accessible by public bus and has an optional extension to a viewpoint, the Italian Emplacement. This walk mainly uses marked paths and includes a short section of the Kalymnos Way. Distance / height gain: 11.5km and 600m ascent / descent (including optional extension). Continue reading KALYMNOS FLOWER WALKS: The Arginonta Valley and the Italian Emplacement.

GEAR GUFF: Alpine kit list (Summer day walks)

You’ve booked your first guided walking holiday in the European Alps. Fantastic! But what kit do you need? Don’t worry, assuming you’re a UK hillwalker you should have most of the equipment already. Walking in the Alps in the summer though can take you into a harsher environments at a higher altitude than you might be used to. Even in the summer late lying (or fresh!) snow may also be encountered. Continue reading GEAR GUFF: Alpine kit list (Summer day walks)