Between the villages of Vradeto and Kapesovo in Zagori, the Vradeto Steps, perhaps the most beautiful stone-paved path in Epirus, offer a spectacular hiking route with views of the surrounding area that captivate.
One of the most beloved mountain destinations in Greece, the Zagorohoria cast a spell that captivates every visitor. Picturesque villages with well-preserved traditional architecture, unique landscapes, and authentic flavors offer powerful thrills to lovers of tradition and nature.
One of the experiences worth having when you find yourself in this place is hiking the famed Vradeto Steps, perhaps the most impressive cobbled path in Epirus. Between Vradeto and Kapesovo, this wide stone-paved path, an outstanding example of local architecture, was until 1973 the only means of communication between the two villages. The almost one-hour route is enchanting, with views over the surrounding area that impress.
Vradeto: The highest village in Zagori with the famed Steps
Quiet, serene, and remote, 50 km from the city of Ioannina, Vradeto sits at an elevation of 1,340 m and is the highest village in Zagori - you will hear it called the "balcony" of Zagori. The village has boundless views in every direction, while nearby is Beloi, from where you have the entire Vikos Gorge at your feet.
Between the village and neighboring Kapesovo lies the famed Vradeto Steps, whose construction dates to the early 18th century. This broad, serpentine cobbled path, with its massive stone walls and successive hairpin bends, was up until 1973 the only road to the village. Today it is indisputably one of the most beautiful hiking routes not only in Epirus but across all of Greece.
As you walk along the path, you pause to admire the impressively engineered work that is said to have taken 20 years to build. In fact, the steps were designed with three traffic lanes, two for people and one for animals. Its more than 1,000 stone-paved steps smoothly cover an elevation difference of 250 meters. The route is easy and much less tiring than you might imagine, while the view it offers over the surrounding area is enchanting.
