Missiou Bridge as seen from the village of Koukouli

To reach the start point from Ioannina, take the road to Konitsa, pass the airport and, about fifteen kilometres further on, turn right just after the metal arch spanning the road in the village of Metamorphosis. Continue along the road to Monodendri until you see the sign for Kipi on the right. After a few kilometres, stop off at the superb Noutsos Bridge and, a little further on, turn left to head up to Koukouli. (You can also go straight on first for about 500 metres to see the three-arched Plakida Bridge (1865), before turning back).
Park in the car park.

Red markings

(S/E) Do not enter the village but turn immediately onto the small path leading down to the left. (Red markings). There are public toilets a little further down.

(1) Cross the road diagonally, following the upside-down red arrows on the ground. Turn right and walk alongside the River Bikoç. You’ll come to a fork in the path.

(2) Carry on straight ahead to reach the Missiou Bridge.

(3) If you wish, you can climb up to the Vitsa steps (Skala Bitsas) – it’s signposted – to view the bridge from above, towards the Agios Nikolaos Chapel.
Retrace your steps back to the fork you passed on the way there.

(2) Take the path that climbs to the left and crosses a road twice. Pass a car park and continue towards the village of Koukouli.

(4) On arriving in Koukouli from the west, head up to the left to cross the village. The end of the route is beneath a two-hundred-year-old plane tree, in whose shade the tables of the village kafeneio welcome walkers (S/E).

Hikers using walking poles would be well advised to fit rubber caps to them, as many sections of the route are stony and the tips can get stuck between the stones!

Water point near a kiosk, just before reaching Koukouli (shortly before the end of the route).

The Missiou Bridge (in Greek: Missios) is situated between the villages of Vitsa and Koukouli. It spans the Vikos Gorge at its southern end and marks the start of the great gorge. It was built by Alexios Missios of Monodendri in 1748, next to the watermill he maintained. The bridge linked the staircase at Vitsa to the staircase at Koukouli and served as a link between the two villages.
It has two arches: the larger one has a span of 19 metres and the smaller one 4.5 metres.