via ferrata

[Wentzl]

What about classic "via ferrata" routes?

Have you done the Telluride VF? The one in Ouray? There has been a recent addition to the Ouray route, the section going south from the check in I still have to visit.

I only learned about this a few years back. Now I am hooked. what a rush.

What are the best via ferrata routes in the European Alps? On a budget, looking for some excellent exposure without shelling out bucks for the typical "haute route" trek.

[Conor]

via ferrata is much more common in europe. I would think it is doable to do via ferratas on a budget in europe. We did one route, I think it is in my alps trip report. The most expensive part was we rented the kit. otherwise, it was drive, park for free and do the loop. I have an entire book (about one inch thick) of via ferratas for the dolomites.

Europe is fairly inexpensive if you want to camp. It's when you stay at the huts where it gets expensive.

[coffbrauhaus]

via ferrata is much more common in europe. I would think it is doable to do via ferratas on a budget in europe. We did one route, I think it is in my alps trip report. The most expensive part was we rented the kit. otherwise, it was drive, park for free and do the loop. I have an entire book (about one inch thick) of via ferratas for the dolomites.

I'd second this - we had a pair of thick books for the Dolomites with tons of routes at a broad variety of skill level to the point where it was hard to pick what we were going to do on a given day.
We stayed in an Airbnb outside of Cortina d'Ampezzo and it wasn't blisteringly expensive like the hotels in town were. It was a pretty good hub for what we wanted to do, but a car was a must for getting to the various other towns/trailheads. We didn't stay in any huts, but we definitely took advantage of them for post-route snacks/beers.

We also did the via ferrata route (Höllental) up Zugspitze when we stayed in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and there are a bunch of other routes in and around that area. I'd recommend it, it's a really fun day out, even though the summit is a zoo of tourists. The cable car back down into town is expensive but so worth it after 1 liter summit beers.

[Trotter]

are any of the ones in colorado free and/or unguided? Like show up with your own gear and go?

A basin is opening one this year, but its guide required and $250 per person

[gb]

are any of the ones in colorado free and/or unguided? Like show up with your own gear and go?

A basin is opening one this year, but its guide required and $250 per person

Ouray and Telluride are free. There are lots of private ones (royal gorge, A basin, Estes Park, etc) that all require a guide and are absurdly expensive for what they are.

Back to the OP, I'm sure there are hundreds of routes in the Alps. If you're on a budget you could choose an eastern European location like Slovakia, Poland, or Bulgaria. Those countries tend to be cheaper than France, Austria, or certainly Switzerland and Norway...

[justiner]

Ouray via ferrata is run on donations, so considering helping out if you can. They do have a list of gear you're required to use.

[JulianSmith]

What about classic "via ferrata" routes?

Have you done the Telluride VF? The one in Ouray? There has been a recent addition to the Ouray route, the section going south from the check in I still have to visit.

I only learned about this a few years back. Now I am hooked. what a rush.

What are the best via ferrata routes in the European Alps? On a budget, looking for some excellent exposure without shelling out bucks for the typical "haute route" trek.

Got to say I am hooked on these too.

Great adventure to be had for sure.

I have done them both here in CO and in Europe (Switzerland and Italy). Europe has a much better handle on these than the US.

The 2 I have done and would defiantly not mind going back to again are the Daubenhorn in Leukerbad, Switzerland, and the Tofana dI Mezzo in Cortina.

I can't wait to go back and do more.

It would be so cool if we could get more of these set up like they are in Europe and not to where they cost $$$ and require guides.

Hope you can get a chance to go check some of these out.

[cedica]

Back to the OP, I'm sure there are hundreds of routes in the Alps. If you're on a budget you could choose an eastern European location like Slovakia, Poland, or Bulgaria. Those countries tend to be cheaper than France, Austria, or certainly Switzerland and Norway...

The first rule of Bulgaria is: you do not talk about Bulgaria.

[d_baker]

I saw a youtube plug for another place in Ouray that looks pretty cool, but I suspect there's a fee.
I haven't done either Telluride or Ouray via ferratas yet, but hope to eventually.

Gold Mountain Expedition, via ferrata:

[SeanLehman]

Here is the run I did on the Upstream via ferrata in Ouray:
https://youtu.be/-a59FeLQD7A

[Boggy B]

The Telluride VF is transitioning to USFS ownership and getting re-engineered. Interesting topic: https://coloradosun.com/2023/09/15/tell ... ice-trail/
Currently the plan is to keep it free and permitless.
But if you like that sketchy unmaintained VF experience, get it now.

[benopp]

My guide from Cortina had a low opinion of the safety of the Telluride vf. I've never done it though, so it's good that it's being re-engineered.

That being said. I did go to the Dolomites a couple times in the past two year and did ~7 via ferrata, 2 guided and 5 unguided. It's a blast! Dolomites are pricey, but there are budget options as people have said. Stay in a smaller village or outside Cortina and drive (rent a car in advance for cheaper rates, if you can). Guided group tours are 120 Euros per person, but a private one is more like 300-400 Euros (never done it). However, if you're confident in your ability you should have no problem. I got around with English only, and everyone was patient with me.

I imagine that Dolomites are the gold standard in terms of vf density, but exploring other places (outside of Switzerland) would be cheaper and fit budgets much easier. I'm intrigued by some of the other options on this discussion.