The Vradeto Steps from Kapesovo

What it is

The Vradeto Steps, the Skala, are a dry-stone path that zigzags up the wall of the Mezaria ravine, on the edge of the Vikos Gorge, linking Kapesovo with Vradeto. It has about 1,100 steps and 39 bends over nearly 1.5 km, with about 250 m of ascent. It is believed to date from the 18th century, although it has not been dated with certainty; tradition says it took twenty years to build. The stones, white and black, form three lanes, to separate people from pack animals.

Until the early 1970s it was Vradeto's only way out to the world. The road that goes round the ravine was finished in 1974. In 1988 the steps and the Pera and Dothe bridges, over the ravine, were declared a historic monument.

Vradeto, at 1,340 m, is the highest village in Zagori. In the 2021 census it had 22 residents.

The route step by step

There are two ways to do it.

• Climbing from Kapesovo (the classic). You leave Kapesovo by the marked path towards Vradeto and climb the steps to the village. From Kapesovo to Vradeto allow about an hour and a half, depending on pace and photos.
• Down and up from Vradeto. If you leave the car in Vradeto, you can go down the steps, about 60 minutes, and climb back up. With stops, allow about two and a half hours there and back.

The Vikos-Aoos Geopark suggests a longer route, Kapesovo – Vradeto steps – Beloi viewpoint, of 4 to 5 hours and easy, which links the steps with the Beloi viewpoint.

Difficulty and waymarking

The path is marked and has no technical sections. It is easy in the sense that you won't get lost, but the steps are tiring: 250 m of continuous ascent. On the way down your knees notice it; poles help.

How to get there and park

Kapesovo and Vradeto are in central Zagori, east of the gorge. Vradeto is reached by car along a 9 km road from the Kapesovo junction, the only one that links it with the rest of the area. In both villages park at the entrance or in the square, without blocking the streets.

If you do the route one way, you have to sort out the return: either someone waits for you in the other village, or you go back by the same steps.

Season, water and shade

It can be done from spring to autumn. In summer set out early: the ravine wall gets a lot of sun. In winter there can be ice on the steps in the shade and snow in Vradeto. There are no reliable springs on the way; bring water from the village.

With children or a dog

With children who walk well, the descent and climb are a fun challenge, but keep them close on the bends, which have no protection. If you don't want to walk, from the top, in Vradeto, you see the whole staircase snaking up the wall. You can take a dog; keep it on a lead if you meet other walkers on the narrow stretches.

If the weather changes

In rain, the polished stones are very slippery: go down slowly or leave it for another day. In fog, the steps are still easy to follow, but the views disappear.

Where to eat and sleep

To sleep in the central Zagori area you have the Hotel Monodendri or the Archontiko Zarkada. If you combine the steps with Beloi, bring food: in Vradeto there is very little on offer.