Vertical

Via ferrata

Touching the high mountains without a rope. History, resources, playlist.

Dreaming of reaching into the high-mountain world, of climbing, but in solid safety conditions? Via ferrata is the perfect discipline.

Depending on difficulty, it asks for less commitment than climbing or alpinism, since the routes are equipped with cables and rungs to secure your progression. You can find via ferrata almost everywhere in Europe.

I've done plenty in France, all the Belgian ones and a few in Italy. Personally I love to switch up the pleasures in the mountains: one day a big hike, the next a beautiful via ferrata. Sometimes you can even link the two in a single day for a multiplied joy.

A bit of history

An Italian legacy from the Dolomites

Born in the Dolomites during the First World War (1914-1918), via ferrata were originally designed to move men and artillery across difficult terrain.

Today they've become a popular outdoor activity, letting adventurers discover spectacular mountain landscapes while taking on physical and technical challenges.

While technical learning is less complex than in climbing, this practice carries risks that shouldn't be underestimated. If you're a beginner, I can only strongly advise going out your first times with experienced people or guides.

Where to practise?

Three entry points depending on where you are

France, Italy, Europe

My friend Victor's site

I won't redo work that's already excellent. Interactive map, detailed sheets, forum, it's all on franceviaferrata.fr.

Belgium

The Belgian via, fully documented

Marche-les-Dames, Pont-à-Lesse, Fond des Cris, Durbuy. Full guide with recap table, gear and CAB access.

Open the guide Alps

Alpine rando-ferrata

Some alpine hikes (Mont Charvin in the Aravis, among others) include equipped sections. Listed with the hikes, tagged cables-ferrata.

France, Italy and Europe

No need to reinvent the wheel

A friend of mine, Victor Laurent, has put in considerable work on France's via ferrata. An ultra-complete site, interactive map, safety advice: in short, everything you need to get into this extraordinary discipline.

I'd rather send you to him than duplicate work that's already excellent.

Open franceviaferrata.fr full-size Forum and technical advice

On video

My YouTube playlist

When I do a via ferrata, I often make a small video for my own pleasure. Back in Belgium, watching them again does me a lot of good.

Open the @LeBelgeAlpin channel on YouTube

The minimum before you commit

Via ferrata isn't "easy climbing". Accidents rarely come from the rock itself, but from poor lanyard handling, disregarding detachment stages, or bad timing in the face of a thunderstorm.

My baseline advice: go out with someone experienced for your first outings, or take a guided trip. Belay technique transfers better in person than by reading 50 YouTube tutorials. After that, it's mostly practice.

My "Prepare properly in the mountains" series has advice that applies to via ferrata: weather, gear, acclimatisation, managing effort. A must-read before tackling anything beyond PD.