6-Hour Hiking Tour in Central Zagori with Stone Bridges and Villages

The starting point is Kipoi village, whose name translates to "gardens." It is built on a hill at an altitude of 750 m. The village's main distinguishing characteristic is its gardens, which are surrounded by a river embellished by stone bridges.

We continue to the most popular three-arched stone bridge, "Plakida or Kalogeriko." It was first built as a wooden bridge and was later reconstructed in stone in 1814 AD by Abbot Serafeim. The bridge is 54 m long, 3.15 m wide, and 6.7 m at its highest point. It connects the villages of Kipi, Dilofo, and Koukouli.

An easy hiking route towards Dilofo village leads us to the second bridge, the single-arched stone bridge of "Kapetan Arkoudas" (Captain's Bear Bridge), built in 1806 AD. Its first name was "Xeropotamos Bridge." On August 6, 1906, the Ottoman army killed Captain Bear, a Macedonian chieftain, and from that time the bridge was named after him. This bridge connects the villages of Kipi, Dilofo, and Vitsa.

The third stone bridge is the single-arched "Kokkoris or Noutsos" Bridge, the most well-known bridge in the Zagori area. It was built in 1750 AD, and its length is 35 m, its width is 2.5 m, and its highest point is 13 m.

At the same time, there was another use associated with the bridge as a form of punishment. In order to find out if a suspect was a zooist, they forced him to cross the bridge carrying a goat on his back. If he passed or admitted his act, he was acquitted. Otherwise, his punishment was drowning in the river. This bridge connects the villages of Kipi, Dilofo, and Koukouli.

At the side of the bridge, there is an amazing climbing field for advanced climbers.

We walk beside the river banks and find the next bridge, the double-arched stone bridge of "Misios," built in 1748. It connects the villages of Koukouli, Vitsa, and Monodendri. The bridge is 37 m long, 3 m wide, and 10 m at its highest point. It is located at the entrance to the main part of Vikos Gorge. From here, the route follows the stone steps towards the villages of Vitsa and Koukouli.

We hike to the traditional village of Koukouli through its stone steps and explore this settlement, which dates from the 13th century. In the village, there are many traditional houses, the complex of the old school, arches, fountains, and the Church of Virgin Mary, one of the best churches in the Zagori area. We relax with a refreshment or a coffee and then continue through the stone steps between Koukouli and Kipi villages.

The last bridge of our hiking tour is the single-arched stone bridge of Lazaridis, which was built in 1753, beside another climbing field for advanced climbers. The name Lazaridis comes from a local trader who owned a watermill beside the bridge. At this place, the first part of Vikos Gorge ends, and we observe the cliffs beside the river. This stone bridge connects the villages of Kapesovo and Koukouli with Kipoi.

At the end of the tour, we walk to Kipoi village and taste local recipes.