Via Ferrata, Italian for “Iron Way”, is a method of rock climbing and mountaineering in which one utilizes ladders, rungs, rails, cables and bridges to aid in moving across and up a cliff face. AVA Colorado Via Ferrata now offers two Via Ferratas, one in Idaho Springs and one in Buena Vista. Via Ferrata is Italian for “Iron Way” and is a method of rock climbing and mountaineering in which one utilizes ladders, rungs, rails, cables and bridges to aid in moving across and up a cliff face.
The Mount Evans Via Ferrata in Idaho Springs is a guided half day trip that is approximately three hours long. The Mount Evans Via Ferrata takes you over 300 feet above the historic town of Idaho Springs, across the cliff-faces, over bridges, down a 70 foot rappel and 3 ziplines.
AVA also has a Buena Vista course, the Granite Via Ferrata. This course features rappelling and ziplining, in addition to the mountaineering that is the via ferrata. This trip features beautiful views over Buena Vista with an intoxicating climb. The Granite Via Ferrata is a guided 1/2 day trip with splendid views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River.
Another great via ferrata in Colorado is Telluride Via Ferrata. This course, built by Chuck Kroger, is a self-guided via ferrata trip, however San Juan Mountain Guides do offer guided trips. This trip takes approximately two and a half hours for an experienced climber to complete, one way. The Telluride Via Ferrata also features trails, rebar, cable, rock, beautiful views of natural turquoise pools and the town of Telluride from 300 feet above the ground. In order to truly know everything the Telluride Via Ferrata has to offer, one must experience it for themselves.