The trail, known as the Karavolades Stairs, is one of the island’s most recognizable access routes, with hundreds of travelers walking it daily to reach Fira, Santorini’s capital and one of Greece’s most visited destinations. Island authorities closed the trail following a rockfall and ordered cruise excursion arrivals and departures to be redirected through Athinios Port, Santorini’s main commercial harbor. This led to long queues at the cable car station, a common occurrence during the busy summer season. Authorities also suspended a previous cap on the number of visitors passing through Athinios Port to help accommodate the redirected traffic. Santorini’s Old Port known as Skala traditionally offers visitors three ways to reach Fira: the historic stairway, mule rides, or the cable car.