Tips When Hiking In Kalymnos
HIKING ACCESSORIES
- Water bladder — you’ll need a water bladder/bottles that can hold at least 2L of water. See our safety tips below.
- Sunscreen — it should have no less than UPF 50 rating. Apply before you get started but bring it along so you can reapply along the way.
- Head Covering – Essential in the Greek climate: a wide brimmed canvas hat, or a ‘Legionnaire’ style with back of the neck covering.
- Sunglasses — invest in polarised lenses to cut out the glare and protect your eyes from UVA, UVB and UVC rays.
- Electrolytes — we sweat on hot days to help cool down our bodies. But prolonged sweating can mean we lose a lot of important electrolytes in our system. Take some oral rehydration solutions to pop in your water bottle when you’re feeling a little tired and dehydrated.
- First-aid kit are carried by our Guides— accidents happen, even to the most safety-conscious hikers.
- Walking poles — typically taking the load off your legs, walking poles can help reduce your energy expenditure, and support your joints.
- Smart Phone – for emergency contact & photographs.
- Footwear – Hiking boots or shoes with woollen inner sox.
- An emergency, lightweight, shell rainjacket — even on bluebird days, the weather can change quickly, so be prepared.
Hiking Clothing
MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGY
Here are a few things to look out for to keep cool and comfy on the trails in Summer:
Synthetics: Materials like nylon and polyester are light, loose and breathable. Nylon and polyester are also durable and dry quickly — essential when you’re sweating uphill.
Merino wool: It might be wool, but this natural temperature regulator will also keep you cool when it’s hot outside which makes it a great choice all year round. It’s worth learning a bit more about the benefits of merino wool.
Moisture-wicking: Clothing with moisture-wicking technology will help move moisture away from your skin so you can stay drier for longer.
Polygiene: It might not be labelled as such exactly, but technology that fights odour is useful for obvious reasons. It’s particularly useful in garments made of nylon and polyester, which are great for lightweight hiking gear, but have a hard time managing odour on their own. Keep an eye out for clothing labelled with Polygiene or driMOTION.
UPF 50+: Most clothing will help block the sun from your skin, but UV rays have been known to penetrate some fabrics. Make sure you’re fully protected with clothing that offers UPF 50+ sun protection.
Ventilation panels: Concealed mesh ventilation panels will improve airflow on a hot day. Look for clothing that will allow you to unzip ventilation panels on either your shirts or shorts.
Outer Layer
The outer layer is the layer that protects you from the elements like wind, & rain.
It should be made of a waterproof and breathable lightweight material like Gore-Tex.
As it will be packed most of the time in your rucksack, in Greece, it needs to be the lightest weight, easily taken on and off, & pack down to a small size so that it can fit in your rucksack.
SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HEAT OF SUMMER
- Our Walks are programmed for rest & refreshments at the hottest part of the day, avoiding the burning, middle-of-the-day sun.
- Bring enough water. A good rule of thumb for a hot weather hike is 500ml per hour for each person. However, this can depend on a few things like how hot it is, and how much you sweat. Make sure you account for all the variables, and if in doubt, bring more rather than less.
- Pay attention to your body. If you experience dizziness, nausea, disorientation or strong headaches, don’t push on advise your Guide who will find shade, help cool you down, provide water, food, and rest for as long you need.
- Pick a smart Walk. If you haven’t been hiking in a while, don’t pick a long, demanding Walk, instead, select a Walk to suit your level of fitness. If you are unsure, then please contact us in advance for advise.
- Stops for breaks. Tiring yourself out by racing to the finish line isn’t what we are about. Our Walks allow you to stop & admire your surroundings & take photographs, giving time for your muscles to rest, stretch, and cool down before getting on your way again.
As long as you are prepared, a summer hike can bring the kind of memories that stay with you forever.
attending any of our Guided Walks please make sure you follow the advice above, which will make your time on the trail much more enjoyable and safe.
Check out our full calendar
We have a wide selection of different walks and hikes running throughout the whole season . Click the below link to view our Monthly calendar of guided walks we currently have planned.
