About this Site

Welcome to Griffmonsters Great Rhodes Walks

It was 2011 when I first visited the Greek island of Rhodes. As a keen walker, Rhodes presented somewhat of a challenge to exploring places that were off the beaten track and it took some time to come to terms with the navigational limitations. The main concerns of any visiting walker to the island is a lack of any decent maps and a scant information about public accessibility. The maps remain an issue as there are virtually no definitive maps other than for the road user. For more information on what is available both as maps and as navigational aids then please read the Maps and Navigation page on this site. I would recommend anyone who wants to venture off the beaten track to use a Smartphone GPS App. These apps provide off-line maps based upon OpenStreetMap which appear to be far better than printed maps and give the confidence to explore in the more remote areas. Such an app was initially tested in 2017 with great success and has since been a constant companion on our explorations. There are many apps available offering varying degrees of sophistication. It is best to experiment with a few and choose the one that you feel most confident with.

With regard to the public accessibility of tracks and paths, after speaking with local people it would appear that few places are out of bounds to the general public. Military areas are clearly marked, and one should not attempt to stray into these areas. Local people have assured me that in other areas where military operations occasionally take place, the authorities do prevent the public from accessing the area on such occasions. If there is nothing indicating that a track is off bounds then it would appear it can be accessed by the public.

However, it would appear that there is nothing to stop a track or path being closed without announcement. If one encounters such obstacles, it is best to find an alternative route or retrace one's steps. Don't attempt to break down or traverse the obstacle. Land ownership is never totally clear in Greece (see this article in the NY Times. Remember you are a visitor to the Island and should respect and accept these quirks in the way land is claimed. It is also worth noting that wild camping is illegal in Greece in general. Dont try it.

Over the years we have attempted more and more adventurous treks. We have got lost. We have ended up at unintentional places. We have met some amazing people and places along the routes. All in all we have had a thoroughly good time and would encourage others to explore this fascinating and beautiful island.

Intention of this Site

As with the sister website, Griffmonsters Great Walks, one of the main intentions of this site is to make the experiences, routes and details publicly available in order to assist others with similar interests in getting out and about. The site also acts as a repository for any research about the various features encountered on such walks. There is also a Facebook page where you can message and interact with the author and other walkers. There is no financial gain associated with this site and any recommendations for tavernas, accommodation and navigational aids are purely from the experience of the author.

Remember that the information on the site is written from an English perspective and there are anecdotes and observations in the walk notes about the various unfamiliar characters, places and encounters. This is all written in good humour and certainly does not seek to offend or denigrate this charming Island or its hospitable people. I strongly advise that anyone visiting Rhodes to do so with the humility and honour that its people deserve and respect their traditions, their culture and their lifestyle.

The walks throughout the site are predominantly centred on the resort of Pefkos but should be accessible to anyone who is able to access the public bus service that operates down the east coast of the island from Rhodes town to Prasonisi. Do use the bus service, all the buses are modern air conditioned vehicles, well used by locals and visitors alike and driven by friendly and helpful drivers.

Walking on Rhodes

It should be noted that the climate on Rhodes will restrict walking to the Spring and Autumn months, the Summer being far too hot to have any reasonable explorations of the hills and countryside. Winter can bring rains and swell the normally dry river beds with cascading water and caution should be taken during such a season. Remember to always take plenty of water when venturing away from the towns and villages, no matter what the weather.

Public Transport

The east coast of Rhodes is well served by a regular public bus service. Buses run between Rhodes town and Gennadi on a regular basis with evening buses included. These serve most of the towns and villages of the west coast, fares are cheap, drivers friendly and helpful and the coaches employed are all air conditioned. This is the easiest way of exploring the west coast.

The west coast and central areas of Rhodes have a very limited public bus service that amounts to no more than school services in most areas. The best method to explore such areas is to stay in one of the many traditional villages. These give a true sense of Rhodian life and it is well worth seeking out places to stay for a few nights as a base to explore the surrounding area on foot.

There are links to the bus services in the sidebar on this site. It should be noted that the services change throughout the year so always seek out the latest timetable. The timetables are specific to each stop and just list the destinations, the times and the fare.

Taxis are plentiful in the principal resort areas but few and far between elsewhere.

There are plenty of Car Hire companies in the principal resort areas. Hire cars should not be taken on the rough tracks that are described on this site. There is usually a clause in the hire contract where the hirer is responsible for any damage to the underside of the vehicle. The tracks on the island can have a lot of rocky debris and ruts which can cause such damage. Always try to explore without the use of a car as you will see a whole lot more than viewing from the confines of a car interior. Having said this, a car journy can provide the inspiration for future exploration, plus there are locations on the island that are difficult to reach without such transportation.

Walk Statistics

Each walk on this site lists statistics of the distances, height gains and descents, expected time to undertake and the grade of the walk. This estimates of time taken should not be taken as definitive and should only be used as a general guide. Each person is different in their ability, agility, whether they are experienced hikers and the season in which they are walking. A good method to estimate is use TrailsNH Hiking Time Calculator which allows you to customise for your average pace, trail surface and backpack weight and then inserting the distances and height gains to return an expected time for your walk. This has been used to great effect by Griffmonster Walks by applying the values and matching against walks already undertaken to get the best fit, then applying this to future planned walks.

It should be noted that the climate on Rhodes will restrict walking to the Spring and Autumn months, the Summer being far too hot to have any reasonable explorations of the hills and countryside. The golden rule on any walk is to take sufficient water. We allow 750ml for each person for every 10km up to 30°C. For temperatures above this more water is required. A few simple tips can make the water more palatable in the heat; freeze the water bottle overnight to keep it cooler throughout the day; add a little lemon juice or flavouring to take the harshness of the water away; store the water within the confines of the backpack to insulate it from the heat.

On the western side of Rhodes there are springs and these can be used to replenish water bottles.

Travel Insurance

When travelling to Rhodes it is important to check travel insurance details if you intend to hike to make sure this is covered. Most insurance allows for this. Note that straying away from paths and trails, climbing rock faces, or undertaking other pursuits that are not strictly hiking may result in no insurance payout if you injure yourself and need medical attention. Such activities may be classed and dangerous sports. If in doubt check with your insurance company. All walks on this site follow recognised paths and trails.

Site Roadmap

Unfortunately only a few walks are added to this site each year, limited by the authors visits to the island. Even so, the site will seek to expand with further information, experiences and notes concerning the island of Rhodes. Anything I find useful, links, information and resources, will be added as and when it is found. It is hoped this will be a veritable resource of information for anyone who visits Rhodes with the intention of exploring further than their hotel or beach. Hopefully, you will find it useful, and if so, then please spread the word and share the link.

And, by the way, the little man in the photo, that is The Creature who accompanies us on all of our walks.