Via Ferrata Season 2026: 7 Routes Open in May
8 Min. Reading Time
Most wait until June. You don’t. While the Dolomite classics still have snow, deeper valleys in Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Bavaria, and Switzerland are already dry, sunny, and empty. Seven Via Ferrata that will be open by May 2026 – curated by location, lift season, and true accessibility.
April 30, 2026
Why May is the honest start window
The high Alps still have old snow on the north faces in May. Routes above 2,400 meters are often icy, with snow on the anchors and the descent turning into a slip-and-slide. Deeper valleys, however, dry out early – southern exposures, waterfalls, and Lake Garda’s surroundings. The air is cool enough for long tours, the rocks warm enough for secure holds, and the huts still have space. The deal: less choice, but zero crowds.
Last May, I climbed Colodri in Arco. Sunday, half past eight, three cars in the parking lot. In August, there would be a hundred. The weather was 19 degrees and sunny. Those who climb in May have the right to be a bit arrogant.
The May season has one advantage that few talk about: the huts are relaxed. No four-month advance reservation, no overcrowded campsite, no stressed-out hostess. Anyone arriving at a hut on a Saturday evening in May gets a place, soup, and a conversation. In July, you’ll get a number and wait. This is part of the honest calculation: in May, the rock isn’t perfect, but everything else is.
The Difficulty Scales: K1 to K6 or A to F
Two systems dominate the market. The Hüsler Scale (K1 easy to K6 extremely difficult) is prevalent in German-speaking regions. The Schall Scale (A easy to F extremely difficult, introduced by Kurt Schall from Austria) is frequently found in topos from Austria and South Tyrol. Note: K1 ≈ A, K3 ≈ C, K6 ≈ F. For beginners, K1 to K3 (A to C) are the playground for the first few years. Routes above K4 (D) require sure-footedness, endurance, and experience with airy passages.
For all seven routes below, the difficulty is listed in Hüsler Scale notation, as most German-speaking climbers can intuitively read it. In doubt, check the topo on via-ferrata.de or klettersteig.de before heading to the rock.
A common mistake in May is underestimating the difficulty because the route is “only” rated K3. However, K3 in May with slippery fingers, residual snow in the shade, and wind pushing fog into the valley is not the same as K3 in July at 22 degrees. A half-level easier in May is the honest rule of thumb. If you feel comfortable with K3 in summer, stick to K2 in May. If you go K4 in summer, consider K3 in May. This costs nothing but could save your day in case of doubt.
The Seven Routes for May 2026
Curated based on: deeper entry height, sun exposure, trail or ascent logistics, and what the snow conditions typically allow in April. All routes are documented on via-ferrata.de, klettersteig.de, and with the respective tourism associations.
1. Via Ferrata Cima Capi (Sentiero Susatti)
Panoramic tour around the west bank of Lake Garda, starting at Riva. Probably the warmest entry into the year – the route is open year-round, naturally not in snow or ice conditions.
2. Ferrata Colodri
Arco, a classic beginner’s via ferrata with a short approach time. Since the renovation in 2024, it is fully insured, slightly more challenging (B/C), but still family-friendly.
3. Stuibenfall Klettersteig
Umhausen, along Tirol’s highest waterfall. Accessible from 1,500 meters, on the south side. Evening via ferrata offered every Wednesday from 8 PM in May – Hidden gem for warm summer evenings.
4. 5-Gipfel-Klettersteig Rofan
One of the longest via ferrata routes in the Alps, divided into five sections (B/C to C/D). Summer operation according to Achensee Tourism from April 25, 2026. Maurach Railway makes the early-season project feasible.
5. Mittenwalder High Trail
Via ferrata from the Karwendel Railway over five peaks. Difficulty is only B, but stretches for almost 12 kilometers and is conditionally challenging. With train operation from May, it’s easily accessible.
6. Klettersteig Allmenalp Kandersteg
A spectacular route along the waterfall, with C/D difficulty and the “Freude herrscht” variant up to D. The season typically starts around May 21 to 25, depending on the cable car schedule. Always check the latest information at allmenalp.ch.
7. Klettersteig Gerlossteinwand
Challenging, D difficulty, located south of Zell am Ziller. According to via-ferrata.de, the best season is from May to October. Suitable for experienced via ferrata climbers seeking May sun on the rocks – not for beginners.
What You Should Pack in May
This list is not a summer list. In May, residual snow remains in the shady couloirs, nighttime temperatures drop below zero, and thunderstorms arrive faster than forecasted. The gear is the same as in summer, plus four additional items.
Gloves: Thin climbing gloves with grip, not ski gloves. Cold steel rope in the shade can freeze fingers. Hardshell: A lightweight, windproof jacket that fits in any backpack. May weather can change every two hours. Headlamp: Not because it gets dark, but because days seem shorter than in August – if a route takes longer than planned, you’ll want the headlamp. And: No crampons, but yes, Microspikes (chain spikes) if the ascent is over old snow.
One point many overlook: water. In May, many springs at huts or mountain farms are still shut off, and water sources along the way may only provide meltwater, not always drinkable. Pack two liters, plus a filter or chlorine tablets as backup. And check if the hut on your route is already open – many Alpine club huts don’t open until between Pentecost and mid-June. If you encounter a closed hut, the best route won’t help.
Who Has Never Been on a Via Ferrata
The entry barrier is lower than many think. DAV sections and alpine schools offer day-long introductory courses starting at around €40. In a single day, you’ll learn: setting up a via ferrata kit, securing transitions at anchor points, walking on a steel rope, climbing on ladders, and proper behavior during thunderstorms. After this, you’ll be ready to tackle a K1 or K2 via ferrata and won’t be starting blind.
If you already have some mountain experience, you can also start directly with a partner – but not alone, without a kit, without a helmet. These three items are non-negotiable, even for a “light” K1. A used via ferrata kit should not be purchased – the shock absorbers have a limited lifespan and lose their safety margin after a fall or UV exposure. For the first year, a solid kit from Edelrid, Petzl, or Mammut, priced around €120, plus a helmet (€60-90) and climbing harness (€50-80), will suffice. For more details on equipment, partner checks, and route selection, see our Via Ferrata Guide 2026. For general spring training tips, check out our Spring Fitness Article.
One final thought: A via ferrata in May is not the Dolomites epic of August. It’s shorter, cooler, emptier – and often the most honest start to the mountain season. No bucket-list route, no photo for social media. Just you, the rope, the valley below. And the certainty that you’re starting the season when others are still sharpening their skis.
Cool-down
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Translated from the German original using artificial intelligence. The German version is authoritative.