Author
Travis Perkins, Graham Hiemstra
Lead photo courtesy Mohonk Mountain House
Imagine you're on vacation in a beautiful Colorado mountain town. On your drive through a remote canyon, you see a group of people, young and old, dangling off an exposed cliff face above a raging river... and yet still somehow having a good time?
You've just witnessed your first via ferrata.
But what does is a via ferrata? In this guide, we'll answer this question and many others—including what gear to bring for via ferrata—and suggest 11 epic courses to visit across America. Read on for the full expert-written rundown, then get planning for your own adventure!
What Is Via Ferrata?
Not to be confused with a frittata, which is a whole other experience, via ferrata is an adventurous activity that combines hiking, climbing, and mountaineering following routes consisting of metal cables, ladders, and steps fixed to the rock face, allowing adventurers to safely traverse steep terrain and experience verticality in the mountains without Alex Honnold level expert climbing experience.
The origins of the via ferrata date back to World War I, when networks were built to transport troops in the rugged Dolomite mountains of Italy—loosely translated, via ferrata means "Iron Path" or "Iron Way" in Italian. The clever designs allowed Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops to gain high ground and move soldiers efficiently through the steep terrain.
Modern day via ferrata routes leverage steel cabling and rungs (typically made of anodized steel rebar) drilled into the rock wall that allow users to climb otherwise challenging vertical terrain in sneakers with a smile. Participants wear helmets and harnesses clipped into a quarter-inch to half-inch steel cable at the waist or chest, with feet and/or hands using steel rungs to move just as one would navigate a ladder.
"Via ferrata is a human-powered endeavor that results in a sense of thrill or adventure but is also safe for the whole family."
Via ferratas vary in difficulty, from beginner-friendly paths suitable for families to challenging routes designed for experienced climbers. They offer breathtaking views of mountain landscapes and opportunities to conquer fear and push personal limits.
Long story short, moving through a via ferrata route feels like something between hiking and rock climbing, and it's an increasingly popular adventure offering for mountain towns and summer mountain resorts all over the American West.
Top 11 Via Ferrata in the US
- Ouray Via Ferrata and Gold Mountain Expedition — Ouray, CO
- Telluride Via Ferrata — Telluride, CO
- Via Ferrata at Mohonk Mountain House - New Paltz, NY
- Via Ferrata at NROCKS - Nelson Rocks, West Virginia
- Tahoe Via Ferrata — Palisades Tahoe, CA
- Mammoth Mountain Via Ferrata — Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Above Zion Via Ferrata — Zion National Park, UT
- Jackson Hole Via Ferrata — Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
- Taos Via Ferrata — Taos Ski Valley, NM
- Ausable Chasm Adventure Trail Via Ferrata — Ausable Chasm, NY
- Red River Gorge — Campton, KY
Logan Tyler, the owner of Basecamp Ouray has a theory on why via ferratas have become so popular. "The key with climbing a via ferrata is that it is a human-powered endeavor that results in a sense of thrill or adventure but is also safe for the whole family, regardless of previous climbing experience," he says. This approach has offered a new level of adventure for the folks he and his team guide in the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. "We built our new via ferrata here in Ouray with that in mind along a historic mining operation offering an immersive and earned experience that clients can be proud of and learn from."
Although no previous climbing experience is required, it certainly helps. Many via ferratas are open to public use, while others offer access to routes on private land via guiding companies. If you don't have previous climbing experience, we highly recommend hiring a guide from the local guiding company. Although climbing via ferratas is very safe compared to typical rock climbing, accidents can and do happen.
Via ferratas are often built within existing infrastructure at mountain and ski resorts. Due to the seasonality of these resorts, most via ferratas are only open for public or guided usage within specific timeframes. Be sure to do your research beforehand to ensure a safe day out!
11 Best Via Ferrata Routes in the USA
Ouray Via Ferrata and Gold Mountain Expedition Via Ferrata — Ouray, CO
There are now two world class via ferratas in the small mountain community of Ouray. The Ouray Ferrata is open to the public and guided parties and can take anywhere from 2-4 hours to complete depending on group size and speed. The majority of this via ferrata consists of traversing, but recent route extensions now include more vertical work (and more fun!). The newer Gold Mountain Expedition Via is the second option in this Colorado town—it opened in Spring 2022 and will be accessible only with a guided trip from local outfitter Basecamp Ouray.
Tahoe Via Ferrata — Palisades Tahoe, CA
Developed and operated by Adrian Ballinger of Alpenglow Expeditions, this newly developed via ferrata sends climbers high above the Olympic Valley floor through the rocky peaks of Palisades Tahoe Resort (formerly Squaw Valley). Climbers can book two, three, or four-hour trips on several different introductory and intermediate routes.
Taos Via Ferrata — Taos Ski Valley, NM
This via sits at 11,500 feet above the Taos Ski Valley Resort and features a 100-foot sky bridge, double-cable catwalk, and stellar views of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. This via is another that's guide-access-only and takes around three hours to complete.
Mohonk Via Ferrata - New Paltz, NY
Newly opened in Fall of 2023, the via ferrata at Mohonk Mountain House brings a new style of climbing to the Hudson Valley and the Shawangunk Mountains (aka "The Gunks"), one of the most important areas in American rock climbing history. This new via ferrata opens up terrain in the world famous trad climbing region previously unaccessible to average outdoor lovers, and includes a mixture of aerial bridges, sky ladders, and routes traversing some of the most beautiful vertical walls on the Mountain Houses's expansive property (family owned and operated since 1869). The roughly three hour via ferrata experience is professionally led by local guide service Alpine Endeavors with reservations costing $250 per person.
Telluride Via Ferrata — Telluride, CO
This publicly accessible via ferrata is unique as it traverses one long section of cliff face (as opposed to a traditional via that involves more vertical movement). This via takes around 2-4 hours to complete and offers some of the best views of Telluride and Bridal Veil Falls. Go on your own, or book a guide if you're low on experience.
Above Zion Via Ferrata — Zion National Park, UT
A guided-only via ferrata through the north side of Zion National Park, this via gives hikers a whole new perspective on Zion Canyon. Its ledge walk rises above the popular Angels Landing, and is accessible for all with an easy difficulty (the Utah Adventure Center site claims), "If you can climb a ladder and hike two miles, you can do this!"). Even though it's only a two-mile journey, hikers should plan for a roughly four-hour trip to allow sufficient time to soak in the views.
Jackson Hole Via Ferrata — Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
As a guided experience at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, this via sends climbers high above the valley floor along granite cliff faces and exposed suspension bridges, cable ladders, and Tyrolean traverses (a method of crossing the space between two high points on a rope or cable). The routes range in difficulty from beginner to advanced, bringing fun for all levels of climbers and allowing for either a quick outing or a full afternoon.
Mammoth Mountain Via Ferrata — Mammoth Lakes, CA
With six climbing routes that progress in difficulty from easy to difficult and set on cliffy mountainside beneath Caldera Overlook, Mammoth's via ferrata has enough to occupy a full morning or afternoon. The routes ascend roughly 180 feet and extend 300 feet across the cliffs, providing a range of maneuvers and views. This via is open roughly from June through September (conditions depending) and trips are booked through the mountain resort's Adventure Center, which will provide a guide. All trips start with a scenic ride up the Panorama Gondola, which is worth a trip in itself.
Ausable Chasm Adventure Trail Via Ferrata — Ausable Chasm, NY
Opened in 2013, this low-elevation via ferrata in Upstate New York's Adirondack Park winds its way along ledges and across a series of six cable bridges above the roaring waters of the Ausable River. The property this via is on is privately owned, so this is another guide-only experience that includes gear. Tickets can sell out and are first-come, first-served, so the outfitter recommends planning accordingly and arriving early.
Red River Gorge Via Ferrata — Campton, KY
Opportunities to experience via ferrata aren't limited to mountain towns—in fact, the first commercially operated via ferrata route in the country is located in eastern Kentucky's Red River Gorge, a legendary rock climbing destination just an hour from Lexington. Its location means its open for a longer period throughout the year (from roughly March through November), and provides a unique setting for the .75-mile course on a sandstone rock faces that jut out from the surrounding forest. Owned and operated by Southeast Mountain Guides, this via ferrata is self-guided, but supervised from the ground. All participants are taken through a 45 min orientation prior to setting out, and provided with all the necessary gear (unless someone wants to bring their own).
Via Ferrata at NROCKS - Nelson Rocks, West Virginia
Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, NROCKS Via Ferrata opened in 2002 as only the second of its kind to be established in the United States. The unique property offers a mile of fixed-anchor, professionally-guided rock climbing. Climbs at NROCKS typically take between 3-5 hours and gain 1,085 feet in elevation, crossing a 150-foot-high, 200-foot-long suspension bridge, with 280 feet of max exposure. Known as the best via ferrata in West Virginia, NROCKS Via Ferrata is open year-round, weather permitting, and now includes a Welcome Center, lodging, and a zip canopy tour.
Essential Gear for Via Ferratas
If you're booking a via ferrata trip with a guide, they'll likely provide technical gear like harnesses, carabiners, helmets, and more, so check with them before purchasing anything. Otherwise, here's what you'll need for the full ferrata climbing experience:
La Sportiva TX4 Evo Approach Shoes $169
You don't need climbing shoes to take on a via ferrata, but close-toed shoes are a must. Hiking boots or hiking shoes will work, but approach shoes like these are ideal with their sticky climbing rubber and nimble design.Petzl Sama Climbing Harness $145
Yes, you'll need a climbing harness to tackle a via ferrata. This one is reliable, comfy, and affordable.Black Diamond Half Dome Climbing Helmet $65
A climbing helmet is another crucial piece of via ferrata safety gear that'll protect your noggin from falling debris and other unplanned bonks. This one is light and low-profile.Camp Kinetic Gyro Rewind Pro Lanyard $220
These lanyards are designed specifically for via ferratas, allowing you to easily and safely transition from one section of cabling to another.CamelBak Mule 12L Backpack $115
Just as you'd bring on a day hike, a small backpack is ideal for bringing along snacks, extra layers, and water. Opt for a hydration-equipped model for hands-free drinking.Black Diamond Crag Half-Finger Glove $18
Gloves are optional, but helpful in preventing blisters and aiding grip when dealing with all those steel rungs.
Published 10-19-2021
Updated 03-20-2024
