r/viaferrata

I'm a newbie in via Ferrata, got some explanation, training and tips from experienced friends this spring and now tried to do it solo. Also for context I'm less-than-fit, quite a bit overweight and slow. But also I can do much in a dopamine high, push through, and I'm a sailing instructor so I know the importance of safety and gear checks and such.

The first trip (this spring with friends) was at Pont-à-Lesse which I found to be nice but also more like a school or amusement park and less like a beautiful valley and surrounding. Some days ago I went to the Mittelrhein-Klettersteig which was underwhelming and while exhausting didn't enjoy me. You are even allowed to do it without gear (I did have my gear on, to be clear), it is not a great klettersteig nor a great hike. There are many other beautiful trails in those surroundings, because Boppard area is actually a great area. Next time just do the Elfenlay hike instead of the not-really klettersteig.

After waiting out some days of rain, I visited Manderscheid today and it is such a beautiful place. I started etappe Lieser which is in a beautiful river bed. It had been raining the past days so everything was still slippery and muddy, and parts of it were quite difficult because of that. But the surroundings are nice and green. I climbed everything except the Ritterslag part C/D where you can take an alternative. Because I know that sticking to your limits is important, I took that option without hesitation.

I actually sled down several meters on a non-Ferrata part (walking part) where the ground below me quit its job while I was there. I stopped 20cm from the river below the route 😱 Which I won't count as a Ferrata fall (there was no steel cable) but burned quite some energy for the day and gave me some cuts and bruises. It scared me for a moment.

The second etappe is the Oberburg where I was already quite beaten, so I again took the Umgehung and doing that, it is not quite a Klettersteig any more. But it was on the route anyway and it is nice to "storm" the castle on the hill by rocks, so it is a nice build. Also I can't complain, when I cut out half of the route, that the part that's left is too simple so that one's on me and again, a deliberate choice I stand by. I was done for the day and didn't start Niederburg etappe which also looks nice. Maybe I do them tomorrow, or maybe I won't. Let's see how I wake up.

It is so nice how lovely and alive the village is, how the klettersteig goes around the two castles and the rivers below and through the village. It is no alpine experience for climbing experts, however the actual trail is nice too as a "hike with obstacles". The valley is beautiful and there were actual parts where I went one or two steps back to have a look how to continue or what steps to take. I call that a real klettersteig. It's not a given that you make it, especially when it is slippery when wet so every step is a gamble. But I made it!

So, I'm gonna take a good shower and a Schnitzel. Let me know what you think about this north Germany route.

Hi everyone!

I’m a developer from the Czech Republic and, together with a few friends, I’ve been building ClimbPath, a community-driven database for via ferratas across Europe.

I started it because I’ve used some really great ferrata websites and tools over the years, but some of them felt a little dated to me visually and in terms of UX. Since I work mainly in web design and development, I wanted to try doing things a bit differently. Modern interface, better maps and eventually much more detailed route information.

Right now, though, I have a different problem:

I need more ferratas in the database.

I’m currently working through the Czech Republic and slowly expanding into other European countries. If you know a ferrata that is missing from ClimbPath, adding it would help a lot. I’m especially interested in regions outside the Czech Republic where my coverage is still pretty limited.

My bigger goal is to start working seriously on 3D maps and 3D models of ferratas at the beginning of the 2027 season detailed terrain, the actual route on the terrain, elevation and eventually a much more immersive way of exploring a ferrata.

But to make that possible, I first need a solid community, a good database and the infrastructure behind it. I’m working on the technical side (servers, backend and everything else) but the database is something I can’t build entirely on my own.

If you have some ferratas you know well and are missing from the database, I’d really appreciate your help adding them.

ClimbPath

It’s a free Czech community project, and I’d love to build it together with people who actually enjoy via ferratas.

Thanks! 🧗

I am looking at getting these lanyards. These seem like a good option for someone who is broke and can't get the fancy gear :)

Any reason to stay clear of these lanyards?

Hi! Do any of you have exprience w the Garmont Dragontail Synth GTX women's approach shoes? I'm thinking about buying one for my upcoming viaferrata trips.