How to start with Via Ferrata?
Although Via Ferrata is quite accessible for experienced mountain hikers, some skills and a portion of extra knowledge must be acquired to be able to safely navigate more vertical terrain:
- Climbing technique (saving energy) and safe use of the material
- Some basic rope techniques such as rope securing from an insecure fellow ferratista or descending in rappel.
- Tour planning, especially for longer and more involved climbs (topo guides, maps and current information)
- Risk management: learn to estimate potential hazards, taking into account local conditions and weather forecast
- How to act if things go wrong? (thunderstorm, accident, …)
Through some clubs of the Climbing and Mountain Sports Federation you can take the first steps under supervision (mostly on the Ardennes climbing massifs), such as with Hiking Advisor there is a training weekend to become an independent Ferratista and a summer internship to gain experience under supervision. You can also gain foreign experience in the commercial circuit via, for example, Poco Loco Adventures or Mountain Network. Or on site through a local guide agency.
Without any experience and knowledge of climbing and securing techniques, it is not recommended to set out on your own.
CanyonZone Knowledge base Via Ferrata / Klettersteig: Go Back.
