You’re clinging to the side of a cliff at 2,500 metres, a steel cable your only lifeline. Below you, the world drops away. Ahead lies an exposed ledge, metal steps drilled into ancient rock, and views that feel almost too vast to be real.
Welcome to via ferrata—part hike, part climb, all heart-pounding adventure.
At 27 Adventures, we chase the kind of moments that make your pulse spike and your jaw drop. Via ferrata is one of our favourite ways to get there. Whether you’re climbing a ridgeline in Slovenia or scaling a glass platform above Italy’s Dolomites, this is the ultimate entry into the vertical world.
What Is Via Ferrata?
Via ferrata, Italian for “iron path,” is a system of fixed steel cables, ladders, pegs, and bridges that allow you to traverse vertical rock faces safely without traditional climbing gear.
You clip in using a specialised harness and lanyard, and move along the route while always attached to the mountain. It’s an adrenaline-fuelled way to access high places, with minimal risk and maximum views.
But this isn’t just modern-day mountain fun—it has a deeper origin story.
The Wartime Origins of the Iron Path
Via ferrata was born out of necessity during World War I, when Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces battled in the high Dolomites. Soldiers needed a way to move men and supplies across vertical, snow-covered terrain—so they drilled into the cliffs, laid ladders, and stretched cables across ridgelines.
Some of these original routes, like the Sentiero dei Fiori, still exist today—preserved as both climbing paths and open-air war museums.
Today, via ferrata is a sport. A lifestyle. A wild invitation to see the world from above.
Why You Should Try a Via Ferrata Adventure
Whether you’re a hiker craving a little extra thrill, or a climber looking to explore without ropes, via ferrata hits the sweet spot:
✅ Safety meets exposure – You’re always clipped in, even on vertical rock.
🌄 Unreal views – Routes are designed for scenery: ridges, waterfalls, glaciers, and deep valleys.
💥 Massive payoff – Summit feelings, minus the multi-day alpine slog.
🎒 No climbing experience needed – Just fitness, focus, and some nerve.
It’s accessible, affordable, and addictive. Trust us—we’ve done a few.
3 Epic Via Ferrata Routes I’ve Climbed (and You Should Too)
Here are three routes that left a serious mark on my adventure soul:
🏔 Triglav via Ferrata – Slovenia
Route: Kredarica Hut → Mali Triglav → Triglav Summit
Region: Julian Alps
Difficulty: B/C (Moderate)
Max Elevation: 2,864m
Time Required: 6–8 hrs from the hut
Slovenia’s national pride and highest peak, Triglav, is more than just a mountain—it’s a rite of passage. You start with a long hike to Kredarica hut, then clip in for a dramatic, exposed ridge traverse between Mali Triglav and the summit.
You’re walking above the clouds, straddling the spine of the Alps, and watching the sunrise from the top of the Balkans. Unreal.
Pro tip: Go mid-week for fewer crowds. And bring crampons if snow’s still lingering.
🦅 Ferrata delle Aquile – Paganella, Italy
Route: Circular loop from Cima Paganella
Region: Brenta Dolomites, Trentino
Difficulty: D (Difficult) (Optional E Route)
Exposure: High
Max Elevation: 2,125m
Time Required: 3–4 hrs
This one’s not for the faint-hearted. The “Route of the Eagles” is a modern, heart-in-your-throat adventure perched above Lake Molveno. It includes aerial walkways, a glass-bottom platform, and exposed traverses that make you feel like you’re flying.
Every turn delivers another adrenaline hit. It’s vertical, high-consequence, and stunning.
Bring gloves, and don’t look down if you’ve got vertigo.
🧗 Sentiero dei Fiori – Passo Tonale, Italy
Route: Rifugio Capanna Presena → Passo Castellaccio
Region: Adamello-Presanella Alps
Difficulty: C (Moderate/Difficult)
Altitude: ~3,000m
Time Required: 5–6 hrs
A historical route built on WWI trenches and battle lines, Sentiero dei Fiori (“Path of Flowers”) is equal parts museum and mountain climb. You pass through war bunkers, over snowy ridgelines, and across wire bridges that test your nerve.
It’s raw, real, and emotionally powerful—climbing in the footsteps of soldiers who fought here a century ago.
Snow lingers late here, even into July (I needed crampons and an ice axe). Pack layers and check conditions before you go as the weather can change fast up here (it did for me).
Compare the Routes
| Route | Country | Difficulty | Elevation | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Triglav |
Slovenia
|
B/C
|
2,864m |
National icon, ridgeline views |
|
Ferrata delle Aquile |
Italy |
D/E |
2,125m |
Glass platform, technical |
|
Sentiero dei Fiori
|
Italy |
C |
3,000m |
WWI tunnels, dramatic alpine setting |
Where to Try Your First Via Ferrata
The best part? You don’t need to fly to the Dolomites to start your via ferrata journey. Here are worldwide routes that are scenic, safe, and beginner-friendly:
🌍 Global Beginner-Friendly Via Ferratas
🇮🇹 Italy – Dolomites
Try: Via Ferrata Col dei Bos (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
Perfect intro with stunning limestone walls and WWI tunnels.
🇸🇮 Slovenia – Triglav National Park
Try: Triglav summit ridge
High exposure, moderate difficulty, maximum reward.
🇨🇭Switzerland – Mürren-Gimmelwald
Try: Via Ferrata Mürren
Traverse a 600m cliff with a backdrop of Eiger and Jungfrau.
🇬🇧 UK – Lake District
Try: Honister Slate Mine (Classic Route)
Low elevation but high on exposure and excitement.
🇺🇸 USA – Telluride, Colorado
Try: Telluride Via Ferrata
Not fully bolted but jaw-dropping. Local guides recommended.
🇳🇿 New Zealand – Queenstown
Try: Via Ferrata by Canyoning NZ
Climb beside waterfalls, zipline over gorges—Kiwi style.
🇨🇳 China – Tianmen Mountain
Try: Tianmen Via Ferrata, Zhangjiajie
Glass skywalks, vertical ladders, and Avatar-style landscapes.
🇨🇦 Canada – Banff, Mount Norquay
Try: Explorer Route
Full guide + gear setup. Great entry point into North American ferrata.
Essential Via Ferrata Gear
Before you hit the iron path, gear up:
🪖 Helmet – For rockfall (non-negotiable)
⛓ Harness + Lanyard Set – With energy absorbers
🧤 Gloves – For grip and safety on cables
🥾 Boots – Sturdy hiking or approach shoes
🎒 Layers – Weather can turn quick at altitude
🔗 Check out our full Via Ferrata Packing Guide (coming soon)
Final Thoughts: Follow the Iron Path
There’s something special about via ferrata. It’s not just a sport—it’s a way to touch landscapes few ever will. To clip in and climb into the sky. To step beyond comfort and find confidence in the exposed.
At 27 Adventures, we’ll keep chasing that feeling. And if you’re reading this, maybe it’s your turn.
Ready to Plan Your Via Ferrata Trip?
📸 Follow the climbs on Instagram: @will27hhh
📚 Check out our upcoming Dolomites 7-Day Itinerary
🎒 Want help picking a route? Drop us a DM or comment below
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