search
Via ferrata • St. Johann in Tirol region
Via ferrata tours between the Kitzbüheler Horn and the Wilder Kaiser!
Via ferrata routes enable beginners and families alike to enjoy a fantastic adventure on the mountains and up in the summits. Go beyond your own limits and experience the world from a bird's eye view. Enjoy the liberating feeling of having reached a destination under your own steam and serenity. Anyone who has ever enjoyed this experience will no longer want to do without this special feeling. Have you ever wanted to venture into Alpine terrain, but don’t have any climbing experience? Then the via ferrata routes are just right for you. Enjoy unforgettable adventures in the St. Johann in Tirol region and take perfect selfies on the summit!
A "Via Ferrata" (Iron Way), is a secured climbing route on natural or artificial rock that has iron ladders, iron pegs, clamps (step treads) and steel ropes. To negotiate a via ferrata route via ferrata specific equipment is recommended. We recommend that beginners and the less proficient only tackle via ferrata routes with a mountain guide.
Via ferrata equipment
checkClimbing belt
checkVia ferrata set
checkMountaineering helmet
checkVia ferrata gloves
checkVia ferrata shoes or mountain shoes
Dangers & Risks
checkStorms: Since the securing points on via ferrata routes are made from iron, they are particularly dangerous during storms. The cable ropes attract lightening like lightening conductors, which considerably increases the risk of lightening strike which is already high in the mountains anyway.
checkRockfall: The risk of rock fall is something to consider while on a via ferrata route. Via ferrata routes are used by more people than Alpine climbing routes in comparable terrain, so the risk of stones falling here is particularly high.
checkFalling: The risk of falling while on a via ferrata is underestimated. Even when a via ferrata set is used properly, falls can be relatively long, since it will be to the next fixture section of the cable. The rigid cable and its fixture sections make the stop stop exceptionally abruptly. As well as a clear risk of injury, if the mandatory via ferrata brakes are not used, or are used improperly, a fall on the cable may result in serious and fatal injuries. Since the fall can involve all the climbers who are using the cable together, the next climbers can be affected too. For novice climbers in particular additional conventional securing methods are frequently recommended.
Guided climbing and via ferrata tours
Get your first experience of climbing around the Wilder Kaiser!
Mountain guides
Fully qualified mountain guides in the St. Johann in Tirol region!
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Via ferrata!
A via ferrata is a climbing path secured with iron ladders, iron pins, clamps (rungs) and steel cables. Via ferratas are always secured continuously with steel cables.
You should definitely not be afraid of heights, which does not mean you should have no respect for steep drops. You should be reasonably fit, because making a U-turn halfway along the via ferrata is usually problematic. If you are unsure, you should do your first tour together with a mountain guide. A head for heights, surefootedness and agility are important on all via ferratas.
The difficulty levels for via ferratas range from A – F, meaning from not very difficult to extremely difficult. Here you’ll find a precise explanation of the difficulty levels.
Climbing harness, via ferrata kit consisting of two carabiners, shock-absorbing lanyard and a connection to the belt, rockfall helmet, mountain boots, via ferrata gloves, first-aid kit, drinks and provisions.
When selecting a via ferrata, you need to consider the overall requirements you have on the tour. Because it’s not only the difficulty level and the length of the via ferrata you have to consider, but also the approach and climbdown. Pay particular attention to the day’s whether development, as a risk of thunderstorms may be life-threatening as the iron fixtures and cables conduct lightning. On hot days, also note how much the path is exposed to the sun. Heat makes you exhausted quicker and requires more liquid intake. Furthermore, the steel fixtures and holds may lead to burns.
You secure yourself with both carabiners on the continuous steel wire, which you then run along the wire with your hand as you move along. The wire has anchor points every couple of metres in order to prevent long falls. At the anchor points, the carabiners must then be released and reattached to the next wire section – CAUTION: always one after the other, so that you are secured at all times.
Sporty kids from around 10 years can tackle an easy via ferrata under the supervision of an experienced adult. In any case, children should wear ankle-high hiking boots with sturdy and non-slip soles. Children also need special via ferrata equipment, consisting of a full-body harness (chest & sit harness – in no case only sit harness, children’s climbing helmet and children’s via ferrata kit with shock-absorbing lanyard.
It’s important to climb as effort-saving as possible. Always step on footholds in the rock or on the artificial steps with awareness, and work as little as possible with your arms. Always reattach the carabiners when in a stable position and with extended arms. Pay attention to the distances – only one person must be attached to each securing segment. On steeper passages, it is recommended to keep a distance of two securing segments, because via ferrata walkers can bring each other into danger by triggering rockfalls, falling or provoking dangerous situations when passing each other.
You should always be aware that despite safety equipment, falls may lead to serious injury. Another risk is posed by overestimating oneself and running out of strength halfway along the via ferrata, because not all via ferratas have emergency exits. The weather also harbours risks, as even just light rain makes the rock slippery and the trail much more difficult. Before setting off, pay attention to the risk of thunderstorms, because via ferratas are taboo during thunderstorms, as the wires are made of steel and you thus hold a lightning conductor directly in your hand.