Activities - Via Ferrata
hanging on the wall!
Ooh it's a long way down!
crossing the cliff
Via Ferrata over the Lac du Sautet
If you like a challenge and like being in unusual situations, you'll love via ferratas!
Via Ferratas were invented by the Italian army as a means of getting their troops through the inaccessible mountain ranges of the Alps. They have since become a sport in their own right and there are now via ferrata courses dotted all over the Alps.
They consist of metal ladders and thick wires positioned strategically over rock faces and some have wire bridges crossing over the narrow gorges above rivers.
You wear a harness, with two cow's tails (ropes with caribiners attached) attached and a helmet, clip into the wires or ladders and then climb, following the course of ladders, wires and bridges. You make sure you are always attached to the wires by one of the cow's tails at all times so can never fall very far.
They allow you to climb on exposed rock faces normally inaccessible to mere mortals such as ourselves!
Via ferratas are generally designed for adults and as such smaller children can find it difficult to reach the wires and ladders. However, there are via ferratas suitable for children from 7 years of age.
They are graded by technical difficulty and the length of time taken to complete the course.
We can organise you a harness and helmet, show you where to go and you can go off on your own (not recommended for non-climbers or beginners) or we can organise a guided trip out.
Why not try via ferrata as part of a multi activity holiday? Contact us for more information or for advice on planning a multi activity holiday.
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