Adia (gorge)

Nestled in a stunning, forested valley, all sectors offer a picturesque climbing experience. Depending on the time of day, you can always find routes in the shade. The approach to the furthest sector, Eiar, takes no more than 15 minutes. As the rock can be fragile, always wear a helmet and follow safe belaying practices.

Eiar is arguably the premier climbing sector on Karpathos, boasting world-class routes and a serene environment with no crowds. It features beautiful, long routes that are vertical or slightly overhanging, making it an ideal starting point for climbers visiting the area.

The valley’s lush forest cover—rare for Greece—provides ample shade for belayers. You can also drink fresh water from a pipeline channeling water down the gorge. This combination of breathtaking scenery and exceptional climbing makes it a must-visit destination.

In the nearby village of Adia, you’ll find several accommodation options and a restaurant. The charming, secluded Chickens Bay beach is also worth a visit.

✔️ Printed guidebook covering the entire island (500+ routes): KARPATHOS ROCK CLIMBING GUIDEBOOK by Artur Kraszewski
✔️ Local climbing info: ClimbingKarpathos.com
✔️ FB: /ClimbingKarpathos

Discovered in 2016, the Adia climbing area was developed by a dedicated Polish equipping team. The discovery happened by chance during a visit to the island. While staying overnight in Adia, the team explored a nearby gorge, leading to their first climbing finds. In 2016, routesetters established the Cheimon sector at the gorge’s entrance. Later that year, Artur Kraszewski ventured deeper into the gorge, uncovering the exceptional Eiar sector. In 2017, he returned to open the first route, Spring Cleaning (6a+), a ground-up trad climb, before the team completed the bolting process 😉.

All equipment was generously sponsored by their colleague, Piotr Barabaś, whose support deserves great recognition.