Kali Limni

Overview

Kali Limni 1215 m

Kalì Limni 1215 m is a wild summit, the highest point of the mountain range that crosses Karpathos, an island located in the Southeastern Aegean Sea, between the islands of Creta and Rodi. Karpathos has a slender and elongated shape and is the second largest island of the Dodecanese archipelago (Δωδεκάνησα in Greek), whose literal meaning is "twelve islands". This archipelago is situated amongst Turkey, the island of Crete to the South, the Cyclades to the West and the island of Samos to the North and includes more than 163 islands and islets, of which only 26 are inhabited.

A significant part of the island of Karpathos consists of mountains and traditional villages, often connected by trails. The Northern sector of Karpathos is quite mountainous and the northernmost tip of the island is separated from Saria Island by a narrow stretch of sea. With an altitude of 1215 meters Kali Limni mountain is the highest summit not only in Karpathos, but in the entire Dodecanese. There are different routes to the summit of Kali Limni and all are a truly special experience. 

The starting point of the standard route is the small mountain settlement of Lastos in the middle of Karpathos island. This hike is not difficult, with a vertical gain of about 500 meters, and gives stunning panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the surrounding Greek islands. On clear days, the views even extend to the islands of Crete and Rhodes. The second route described is much wilder and more challenging due to its length, but always rewarding. 

Getting There

The highest peak of the Dodecanese is often climbed from the Lastos plateau at about 700 m of altitude. This is the starting point to summit Kali Limni along the standard route, the shortest and fastest way to reach the summit.

From Pigadia you must drive to Lastos by car (approximately 30 minutes). At first follow the road to Aperi, pass Aperi and at the crossroad take to the left the road to Volada. Pass Volada and before the Othos viewpoint and the village of Othos leave the main road and take to the right the narrow road to Lastos (signposts to Lastos Taberna). Follow this road with some signposts for "Kali Limni" for several kilometers until the small settlement of Lastos. Park the car at the end of the asphalted road.

The second itinerary starts from the village of Lefkos on the West coast of Karpathos. 

Kali Limni standard route from Lastos plateau

Difficulty: EE
Difference in level: 500 m from Lastos plateau (at about 700 m of altitude)
Time required: 1 and a half hour to the summit

Fine and profitable itinerary in a wild environment to reach the summit of the highest peak of the island of Karpathos, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view across the island. The path is clear enough, with some red marks, in a wild, uncrowded and isolated environment. 

In the immediate vicinity of the free parking it starts an obvious path marked with two red arrows, heading NW and reaching soon a big isolated tree, where the two itineraries diverge. Continue straight on, following the path marked with rare red dots rising at first gently then steeper on partly rocky terrain, but without difficulty.

The path runs alongside a rocky outcrop on the left and climbs for a long time on arid and dry terrain, where the only vegetation present is represented by cushion-shaped thorny shrubs (phrygana).

Once you reach an area of ​​small trees near a crest, turn right and on steeper but still easy rocky terrain.

You reach a large saddle with a characteristic isolated tree, where a magnificent view opens up over the Northern sector of Karpathos with a very short stretch of sea separating it from the islet of Saria, which belongs to Karpathos from a geographical and administrative point of view.

Just before the tree, turn left and in a few minutes reach the characteristic summit cross with the summit book.

It appears a wide and wonderful panorama of the nearby island of Kassos, the West coast of Karpathos and again its mountainous Northern tip. On clearer days it is also possible to see the island of Rhodes.

Descent: reversing the same itinerary

Route from Lefkos

Difficulty: EE
Difference in level: 1200 m
Time required: 3 and a half hour to the summit

Wilder and more adventurous route than the standard one, very long. Well marked. 

In Lefkos (on Karpathos West coast) take the dirt road near the restaurant with red and black marks and follow it for about 10 minutes, soon ignoring the deviation for the church of Aghios Georgios on the right. Here it begins the path across a small wood, following the water pipe. The path crosses the dirt road again and starts to climb steeply, then exits on a plateau. With fine views the path reach a little church and the ruins of another ancient one. Continue on the orographic right of the valley crossing a wood burned by fire and then following a more comfortable mule track that goes around the head of the valley and reaches the unique spring along the itinerary. Still through woods, some of which burned, up to a hill where you descend onto another valley, cross a watershed with boulders and go up until you intersect an upper mule track. Here you turn sharply to the left as indicated by the arrows, go up a steep gully under a rock face and continue for a long time in sight of the summit. On the summit there is a very wide panorama of Karpathos and of the opposite Prophiti Ilia, the second peak of the island.

Descent: reversing the same route 

Alternatively you can descend along the "normal route" towards Lastos and then deviate when you find the signs for Spoa. This very long stretch is less frequented and not easy to identify. When you reach Spoa, take the small road and then the path to Mesohori passing next to the characteristic windmills. For the high path on the coast with beautiful views you cross to Lefkos. For the entire route count about 10/12 hours with short stops

Red Tape

No fees no permits required

When to Climb

Possible all year round. However the best periods are spring, late summer and autumn. 

Accomodation

Wide possibilities of accomodation in Pigadia, Amoofi and various villages.

Meteo forecast

Meteoblue Karpathos