Leonidio Climbing Retreat
A few hours from Athens there's a little village called Leonidio. It's hard not to fall in love with this idyllic town on the Aegean Sea, surrounded by the most beautiful limestone crags.
What can we say? Climbing tufas, sunrise swims in the Mediterranean, meeting the incredibly warm and generous locals, eating savory spinach pies, sipping freddo cappuccinos, sharing delicious traditional Greek dinners: we are eager to show you our favourite places and routines. This retreat is all about spending an unforgettable time together and making some new friends along the way.
Our coaching sessions are highly personal, with only 3 to 6 people per guide. This allows our coaches to give each participant plenty of individual attention and tailor the experience to the needs of the group. We will focus on:
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Building a solid foundation in outdoor climbing and belaying
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Gaining confidence with lead climbing
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Learning to manage the fear of falling
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Improving your climbing technique
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Breaking through your plateau
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Mental aspects of confident climbing
This rock climbing retreat is for beginners and more experienced climbers. We recommend a minimum level of 5c to get the most out of this week. Only 9 spots are available.
INCLUDED
- 7 nights stay in our seaside villa
- 2 dinners: welcome and closing dinner
- 4 coaching days with a professional and certified guide. Groups will be 3 to 6 persons per guide.
- Daily healthy breakfast
- Basic picnic lunch on guided climbing days
- All group climbing gear on guided climbing days: rope, quickdraws, helmet. We strongrly recommend to bring your own climbing shoes and harness.
- Transport to and from the climbing areas
- Other activities and excursions
- A warm welcome to our climbing communit
NOT INCLUDED
- International flights to Athens
- Airport transfers from Athens International. Busses are available; rental cars are rather affordable and practical.
- Alcoholic beverages
- 4 dinners that we go into town to dine out
- Snacks
- Personal expenses
- Personal travel and climbing insurance
- Rock climbing gear on optional independent climbing
The 8-Day Journey
A taste of what a week with us could look like. Nothing is set in stone: plans may change depending on the group and conditions
DAY 01
Arrival Day: Welcome to Leonidio
Take a bus or take your rental car to Leonidio, check into our seaside villa, meet the group, take some time to unpack, unwind and acclimatise to the surroundings. You're free to have dinner at the villa or in town. Late check-in is also possible.
DAY 02
First Climbing Day
We start with a hearty breakfast and time to get to know each other before meeting our guide(s) and heading out for our first day of climbing on Leonidio. Hot Rock is a great example of the kind of crag we may visit. Its beautiful red limestone cliffs offer stunning views over the town and the sea.
After a full day on the rock, we'll return to Leonidio and fresh up for our first welcome dinner in the villa together. In the evening, we'll toast to the start of the week with our welcome dinner at the villa.
DAY 03
Second Climbing Day
We'll start the day with breakfast and a stop at our favourite cafe to prepare ourselves for another full day of coaching at one of the area's classic sectors. The area has a great variety of styles: from easy slabs to spectacular tufas and caves. After climbing, we'll head back to freshen up. Evenings are free but we invite you to join dinner at our favourite restaurant in Leonidio.
DAY 04
Rest Day: Beach or Hike
This is a great day to enjoy a slow pace and regain some strength. Spend the day at the beach, go for a hike in nature or visit a monastery. Climbing is optional, but we recommend taking one rest day during this week to prevent injuries and explore the beautiful region.
The evening is yours to enjoy as you please. Go out for dinner, meet other climbers at the bar or relax at the villa and get a good night’s rest.
DAY 05
Third Climbing Day
Batteries recharged. After breakfast, we're back to it again. We'll pick the best sector depending on the conditions and objectives of the day.
In the evening, feel free to join us to Poulithra, a nearby coastal village, for dinner at one of our favourite taverna's there.
DAY 06
Fourth Climbing Day
We'll start with breakfast before heading out to the crag. Mars is a great example of the kind of crag we may visit this day: a mythical tufa paradise known for its high-quality limestone and sculpted walls. A great place to explore a different type of climbing and work on body positioning.
As this might be the last evening we spend with the whole group, we'll make it a special one with a farewell dinner and drinks.
DAY 07
Optional Independant Climbing Day
For those who still have some energy left, the final day is an optional independent climbing day,. You’re welcome to return to a favourite crag, work on a project, or explore somewhere new without our guide. If you don’t have all the necessary equipment, rental can be arranged locally.
For those catching a flight, there’s also the option to head back to Athens today. For everyone else, we’ll spend a last evening together, looking back on the week, exchanging contact details, and getting ready for check-out the following morning.
DAY 08
Departure Day
Everything comes to an end. Enjoy one last sunrise over the Aegean and a leisurely Mediterranean breakfast before you head back to Athens.
The Villa
Together we'll stay at the beautiful seaside villa close to the Crags and a 10 minute drive from the center of Leonidio.
You can start the morning or end the day with a swim in the Aegean Sea at our private beach.
The villa accommodates 10 guests and has 5 rooms (equipped with 2 single beds) and 4 bathrooms. There is a kitchen space, swimming pool (not heated) and wi-fi. The perfect home base to meet fellow climbers and making new friends. Note that the rooms will be shared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Leonidio Climbing Retreat
Contact us
Hans van Wijk
Steps Adventures
Jacob van Lennepstraat 73, 1v
1053HE Amsterdam
KVK: 90687876
hello@steps-adventures.com
+33 6 98 37 28 16 (whatsapp)