Introduction to via ferrata + complete via ferrata gear list

Last Updated on 19 September 2026

Occupying a unique space somewhere between scrambling and rock climbing, via ferrata allows adventurous hikers to safely access steep mountain terrain that would otherwise require ropes and advanced technical skills. And with new routes appearing across Colorado, Peru, Slovenia, Kosovo, and even Argentinian Patagonia, via ferrata is gaining worldwide popularity as an outdoor sport that is every bit as accessible as it is exhilarating!

This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to via ferrata around the world, including recommendations on preparing for your first climb, an explanation of the grading system, what to expect on a via ferrata route, and all the essential gear you’ll need to set off on your own adventure!

*This guide is not intended to replace appropriate training/experience, nor is it designed to be an exhaustive via ferrata resource; please remember that you are responsible for your OWN safety in the mountains! 

VIA FERRATA GEAR LIST SUMMARY

⭐️ daypack (25-35L): Osprey Tempest 30 (women’s) / Osprey Talon 33 (men’s)
⭐️ helmet: Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ harness: Black Diamond Momentum (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ via ferrata lanyard: Petzel Scorpio Vertigo Lanyard
⭐️ climbing gloves: Metolius Half Finger Climbing Gloves
⭐️ mountaineering boots: La Sportiva Aequilibrium LT GTX Mountaineering Boots (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ PLB/SOS: Garmin InReach Mini 3

Check out all my outdoor packing lists for:

What is via ferrata?

Translating to “iron route” in Italian, via ferrata is a form of protected climbing that was invented in the Alps during WWI as a means of getting soldiers up and over challenging peaks with minimal technical experience or equipment. Today, it’s an amazing form of recreation best described as a cross between scrambling and sport climbing.

“Via ferrata” is the international term used by nearly every country to describe this form of protected climbing— except for German-speakers, who use the word Klettersteig, meaning “climbing path”.

Via ferrata routes feature different types of fixed protection, and you’ll climb on a combination of ladders, stemples, rungs, pegs, bridges, and even the rock itself, all while clipped into a steel cable that is bolted directly into the mountain. It’s safer than most forms of climbing, requires very little gear, and can be done completely solo (since there’s no need for a belayer)!

It’s also important to note that the goal of via ferrata is to keep one hand on the cable or a steel rung at all times and NOT fall.

Unlike other forms of recreational climbing where falls are common and expected, you are only protected by a via ferrata lanyard that provides a minimal degree of shock absorption— it is designed to save your life, not to give you a soft catch. After a single fall, this lanyard needs to be replaced!

Where to find via ferrata routes?

The greatest concentration of via ferrata routes is in the Italian Dolomites, but hundreds of routes cover the Austrian and Swiss Alps, and even Slovenia’s underrated Julian Alps. Worldwide, more via ferrata are appearing every year, from Colorado, USA to Argentinian Patagonia!

Notably, many of the routes outside of Europe are privately owned and you’ll have to join a guided tour to climb, regardless of how much experience you have. These can often be pricey, but perhaps a great way to get started with via ferrata in a comfortable environment.

A few of the most notable international via ferrata routes:

• Sacred Valley via ferrata with Natura Vive in Cusco, Peru (read my trip report)
• Mt Triglav, Slovenia (read my trip report)
• Ruta Vertigo in Monterrey, Mexico
• Mount Evans via ferrata in Idaho, USA
• Vía Ferrata del Cañadón in El Chaltén, Argentina
• Via Ferrata Caminito del Rey, Spain
• Granite via ferrata in Colorado, USA
• Ouray via ferrata in Colorado, USA

Via ferrata difficulty

Understanding the grading system

Although the exact terminology varies slightly between the Austrian, French, German, and Italian scales, you can simply think of via ferrata as having 5 or 6 levels of difficulty, and these may be denoted from A to E in Austria, facile (easy) to extrêmement difficile/estremamente difficile (extremely difficult) in French & Italian, or K1-K6 in German— but the overall levels themselves are fairly consistent.

How hard is via ferrata?

The difficulty of via ferrata as a whole is very subjective (heavily influenced by your own experience, risk tolerance, and comfort with exposure), but there are plenty of beginner-appropriate routes spread across the Alps and further afield, as well as challenging routes when you’re ready. 

Here’s a look at what each difficulty rating actually feels like ↯

Do I need past via ferrata experience?

I’d only ever done a single via ferrata in Peru before I went to Europe and climbed several dozen challenging routes, many of them completely solo. You don’t necessarily need specific via ferrata experience to have a great (and safe) time, but general climbing or scrambling experience is a huge asset!

If you’ve only ever hiked on a trail, even for long distances, you will need to approach via ferrata as a complete beginner. Although backpacking experience will aid you on rougher terrain and in carrying a pack up the ladders, there’s a lot more to via ferrata than just physical condition, stamina, and outdoor competence.

A great way to start is with an experienced guide; Explore-Share lists certified via ferrata guides who can introduce you to the sport safely and help you build confidence on the rock.

Do I need climbing experience?

Climbing experience is a major asset for via ferrata, but it’s not a requirement. I’m only an intermediate sport climber (5.8-5.9) and I found challenging via ferrata to be totally manageable. This is the whole beauty of via ferrata— it allows you to ascend otherwise expert-level vertical walls without the need for rope handling, a belay partner, or 5.11 proficiency!

That being said, climbers (and those with outdoor scrambling experience) will find challenging via ferrata much more accessible than those starting from scratch! I’d say a good head for heights, careful footwork & general fitness are a MUST; a realistic appraisal of your ability is perhaps even more important.

Can I climb via ferrata solo?

Yet another one of the fantastic things about via ferrata is that, unlike sport climbing, it can be done entirely solo and is not necessarily any more dangerous without a partner, as long as you know what you’re doing. If you’re just getting started or want to explore challenging routes, Explore-Share allows you to find expert guides for both beginner-friendly and advanced via ferrata tours across the world.

However, those with prior climbing or via ferrata experience will definitely be able to tackle routes solo, which is great for those among us who often hike alone and still want to see some summits!

How to approach your first via ferrata

I always give the same advice to those starting out with via ferrata for the first time and trying to decide whether they need a guide or can just start out on their own ↯

• If you have climbing experience: you are probably ok to start on an easy route without a guide— some of the easy routes (1/F) are like a steep hike & it’s a great way to practice using your gear in the real-world. Once you’re comfortable, try a 2, then work yourself up to the 3s & 4s, etc

• If you don’t have climbing experience: it may be prudent to hire a guide for your first day or go with a more experienced friend. Be mindful of super busy routes (you’re more likely to have an accident if you feel rushed on the cable), but likewise avoid super remote routes in case you do need help.

Many of via ferrata outside of Europe are privately owned, meaning you’ll have no option but to go with a guide, regardless of whether it’s your 1st or 50th via ferrata. If you’re interested in travelling to the Dolomites and tackling heaps of challenging via ferrata solo, joining a tour on one of these private routes can be excellent prep! Alternatively, you can find a local guide very easily in Europe for any of the “unguided” routes if you decide you need one. Compared qualified via ferrata guides on Explore-Share.

*Via ferrata gear list

In addition to limited technical requirements, the gear needed for via ferrata is fairly minimal, very compact, and not terribly expensive, which again makes this a fantastically accessible outdoor pursuit!

👉🏼 For a more detailed Dolomites packing list, read: Complete Alta Via packing list: what to pack for hut-to-hut hikes in the Dolomites

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Connecting your via ferrata lanyard to your harness

The proper use of a helmet or gloves requires no explanation, but for those with absolutely no prior climbing experience, you may be wondering how to attach your via ferrata lanyard to your climbing harness: the loop of your lanyard should be attached using a simple girth hitch through the tie-in points on your harness, as per the handy diagram below, OR the belay loop, as in the photo above.

How to climb via ferrata

1. the approach

Most via ferrata routes begin with an approach on trail, and this initial hike might be anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on the route and whether you’re starting from a carpark, trailhead, or a high mountain hut.

2. the cable

Once you reach the start of the via ferrata, typically marked by a sign or at the very least a painted symbol, clip into the steel cable and begin the route! You should have a hand on the cable (pushing your carabiners along) or on a steel rung at all times.

Remember, the goal is to NOT fall! You are only protected by a via ferrata lanyard that provides a minimal degree of shock absorption— it is designed to save your life, not to give you a soft catch.

3. clipping between cable segments

Although it is largely self-explanatory, there is still a best-practice method for clipping into the cable that should be used by beginners:

• Attach both carabiners to the first stretch of cable (best practice is to clip in opposing directions, but the chance of 2 auto-lockers failing simultaneously is basically nil, so you’ll rarely see people actually climbing like this)
• When you reach a bolt, you’ll need to move your carabiners to the next stretch of cable one at a time, ensuring that you always have ONE carabiner clipped to the cable

4. types of climbing fixtures

Once clipped into the cable, ascend the route using a variety of fixed protection or climbing fixtures bolted directly into the rock. These may include:

5. navigating the via ferrata

Thanks to the continuous cable bolted into the rock, navigating through a via ferrata is typically very easy— simply slide your carabiners along the cable!

When connecting two routes or tackling long circuits, however, you will usually need to do some navigation between sections of cable, which is aided by frequent flags and markers on the rock.

6. climb on!

Much to the delight of climbers and scramblers everywhere, via ferrata still presents plenty of opportunity to get your hands and feet on the actual rock— it’s not all about the fixtures! When rock quality is good and handholds are plentiful, you’ll find yourself leaning a lot more towards actual climbing (but with the added protection of a cable).

Still, you should have a hand on the cable or a steel rung at all times while ascending or descending via ferrata. Unlike other forms of recreational climbing where falls are common and expected, you are only protected by a via ferrata lanyard that provides a minimal degree of shock absorption— it is designed to save your life, but a fall is NOT comfortable and might still result in serious injury.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this crash-course on via ferrata! If you’re specifically interested in the Italian Dolomites, be sure to check out this dedicated post with more specific information, including mountain insurance, ratings, and recommended routes in Italy.

Read more about via ferrata

• Climbing Mt Triglav: Čez Prag, Tominšek & Mali Triglav via ferrata in Slovenia’s Julian Alps
• Via ferrata climbing & ziplining in the Sacred Valley: an adrenaline-filled day trip from Cusco
• 10 best via ferrata routes in the Italian Dolomites
• Via ferrata in the Italian Dolomites: the ultimate beginner’s guide
• Alta Via 2: complete hiking + via ferrata route guide
• Alta Via 4: complete hiking + via ferrata route guide