Vie Ferrate are itineraries that due to their difficult sections have been equipped with fixed cables, metal ladders, pulley systems, suspension bridges and endless ingenious systems, to make them accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities.
The first via ferrate were built in the Italian Dolomites during the First World War, to aid the movement of mountain infantry.
Often via ferrate are found in exposed areas with breathtaking views. Some are short and fun; others have long approaches and extreme gains in elevation, requiring substantial physical effort. Progressing along them demands constancy and sensible use of the special safety gear.
To proceed along a via ferrata one wears a harness with a dissipater kit, two carabiners and a helmet, always accompanied with the basic climbing safety gear (ropes, dispenser, slings, etc).
Difficulty varies according to length, gain in elevation and downclimb. There is a vast choice of historic and modern vie ferrate suitable for children from 8 years old, adults and trained climbers.
The difficulty levels are :
1. Immediate approach with 200m elevation gain and easy downclimb.
2. Approach of 200- 500m with a gradual elevation gain and easy downclimb.
3. Long approach with more than 500m elevation gain and a complicated downclimb.
