Via Ferrata 2026: Your Guide to Getting Started

6 Min. Reading time

1.000 meters above the valley, a steel cable in hand and the next foothold only three centimeters wide. Via Ferratas are the fastest route from hiker to alpinist. Over 1.000 via ferratas await you in the Alpine region. But: 54 percent of all emergencies occur due to overexertion. This guide shows you how to start safely in 2026.

Sources: DAV mountain accident statistics 2020/21, alpenverein.de (2024)

What is a via ferrata?

What is a via ferrata? A via ferrata (Italian: Via Ferrata, literally “iron path”) is a climbing route secured with steel cables, ladders, clamps and foot holds. You move along the steel cable and secure yourself with a special via ferrata set. Unlike free climbing, you are continuously protected – provided you clip in correctly.

The history goes back to the First World War. Italian and Austrian soldiers laid supply routes through the Dolomites, fixing steel cables and ladders to sheer rock faces. What began as a military necessity turned after the war into a mountain sport. Today, via ferratas are the bridge between hiking and climbing: you don’t need years of climbing experience, but you do need more than hiking boots and a good will.

The boom continues. The German Alpine Club counts 1,57 million members (as of 2024). Across the Alpine region there are over 1.000 via ferratas. In Austria alone over 400, in the Bavarian Alps over 100. New routes are added each year, often featuring spectacular elements such as suspension bridges or zip lines. Anyone who has already tried indoor bouldering will find the via ferrata the logical next step outdoors.

The Difficulty Scale: From A to F

The so‑called Hüsler Scale (named after Swiss author Eugen Hüsler) classifies via‑ferrata routes into six grades. Unlike rock‑climbing grades, it rates not only technical difficulty but also physical demand and exposure.

A (easy): Secured hiking trail. Wire rope serves as a handrail, no steep sections. Suitable for sure‑footed hikers who want to test the rock.

B (moderately difficult): Steeper sections, some vertical ladders. A bit of arm strength required. The ideal entry level for anyone who means business.

C (difficult): Vertical to slightly overhanging sections. Good arm strength, climbing experience and no fear of heights are prerequisites.

D (very difficult): Long overhangs, high demands on strength and endurance. Only for experienced via‑ferrata hikers.

E and F (extreme): Long, power‑draining overhangs. Via‑ferrata fitness required. For pros with regular climbing practice.

For your first go: pick a route graded B. That gives you genuine via‑ferrata feeling—steel cable and ladders—but no sections that will send you into a panic. Remember: the grade says nothing about length or approach. A short B‑via‑ferrata with a 30‑minute approach feels completely different from a B route that demands a two‑hour climb up first.

Gear: What You Really Need

The good news: via‑ferrata gear is limited and cheaper than most sports in this league. You only need four items besides your mountain boots:

1. Via‑ferrata set (70 to 190 Euro): The core piece. Two carabiners on elastic arms that attach to the harness. The set catches a fall and dissipates energy through an energy‑absorbing rope. Look for the current standard EN 958:2017 when buying. Proven models: Edelrid Cable Kit, Petzl Scorpio, Salewa Ergo Tex.

2. Harness (40 to 80 Euro): A simple waist harness is enough for via‑ferrata. You don’t need a chest strap or a high‑end model. Important: the harness must fit so you can slide a flat hand between the belt and your hip.

3. Helmet (40 to 70 Euro): Rockfall happens, especially when other climbers are above you on the route. The helmet is non‑optional, even on easy routes.

4. Via‑ferrata gloves (15 to 30 Euro): The steel cable is rough, and after two hours without gloves you’ll know why. Finger‑free designs offer the best balance of protection and grip feel.

Your first via ferrata in five steps

Step 1: Take a course. DAV sections and mountain schools offer beginner courses starting at 40 Euro. In one day you learn: fitting the via ferrata set, clipping onto the intermediate anchor, walking on the cable, ladder climbing and what to do during thunderstorms. That cannot be replaced by a YouTube video. On the rock there is no pause button.

Step 2: Build fitness. Via ferratas mainly demand grip strength, upper‑body endurance and sure footing. A solid preparation program: twice a week do pull‑ups or rowing for the upper body. Dead hangs for grip strength, at least 30 seconds straight. And regularly hike on uneven terrain for foot stability. Three to four weeks before your first tour, you should intensify.

Step 3: Choose a route. Difficulty B, short approach (under an hour), well documented. Online databases such as via-ferrata.de or klettersteig.de show difficulty, length, approach and current conditions. Read other climbers’ reviews and watch for notes about remaining snow or closed sections.

Step 4: Check the weather. Via ferratas and thunderstorms are a life‑threatening combination. The steel cable acts as a lightning rod – and you’re hanging from it. At the same time, moisture makes the rock slippery and the iron rungs slick. Rule of thumb: if the afternoon forecast is uncertain, start early or stay down. Better postpone a tour than get stuck on wet rock.

Step 5: Partner check. At the start: check each other. Harness buckle properly closed, via ferrata set securely clipped to the harness, helmet sits without wobble. It takes 60 seconds and can prevent everything. Anyone familiar with breathwork techniques can take three deep breaths before the start to calm the pulse.

The three most common mistakes on a via ferrata

Mistake 1: Route too hard. The DAV mountain accident statistics are clear: 54 percent of all via ferrata emergencies stem from blockages. The person cannot move forward or backward, hangs on the rope and needs help. This almost always results from an overly ambitious route choice. Rule of thumb: better pick a route one grade easier and have fun than a route one grade too hard and call the mountain rescue.

Mistake 2: Arms instead of legs. Many beginners pull themselves up on the steel cable. That works for the first 20 minutes. After that the forearms burn and you still have an hour ahead. The solution: climb with your legs, use the cable only for balance. Stiff‑soled mountaineering boots with a rigid toe help enormously because you can stand securely on tiny steps. About 70 percent of a via ferrata is tackled with the legs.

Mistake 3: No plan B. What do you do if the weather turns bad? If you realize the route is too hard? If your partner can’t continue? Think it through beforehand, not only when you’re on the rock. Most via ferratas have emergency descent routes. Know where they are in advance. And: turning back is not a defeat. The most experienced alpinists are those who have turned around most often.

Via ferratas are one of the best ways to discover mountain sports for yourself. You don’t need years of climbing experience, extreme fitness, or equipment costing thousands of euros. What you need: a course, the right route, and respect for the mountain. The season starts now. With the right start you’ll understand why via ferrata enthusiasts say: the ascent is the training, the view from the summit the reward.

Source cover image: Pexels / Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto (px:11034345)