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Colorado Via Ferratas

About Via Ferratas

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Explore Colorado's Via Ferratas

Via Ferrata, Italian for “Iron path,” 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. Colorado has several thrilling opportunities to try out this exciting adventure! Colorado Via Ferrata locations include:

  • Mt. Evans (Idaho Springs)
  • Granite (Buena Vista)
  • Telluride
  • Royal Gorge
  • Peregrine Arete and Cloud Ladder (Estes Park)
  • Ouray
  • AVA Mt Evans Via Ferrata course
    Woman on zipline course

    Mt. Evans Via Ferrata

  • AVA Rafting & Zipline
  • Idaho Springs, Colorado
  • Built into the natural landscape
  • Guided tour
  • Min. age 12
  • Includes ziplines
  • Explore the Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata, an exciting course built into the cliff face over historic Idaho Springs. The course allows visitors to climb high above the town and the Chicago Creek, with a 70 foot rappel and multiple exciting ziplines! This is a guided, half-day adventure experience, suitable for all ages 12 and up.

    Woman on the Granite Via Ferrata
    Via Ferrata Colorado

    Granite Via Ferrata

  • AVA Rafting & Zipline
  • Buena Vista, Colorado
  • Built into the natural landscape
  • Guided tour
  • Min. age 12
  • Includes ziplines
  • Experience beautiful Buena Vista, the Collegiate Peaks Mountain Range, and the Arkansas River from a new angle on AVA’s Granite Via Ferrata. The course will get your heart racing as you traverse across the rocky cliff face, as well as offer stunning views of one of Colorado’s most beautiful areas along the entire course! This is a guided, half-day adventure experience, suitable for all ages 12 and up.

    Cable and Carabiner on route
    Bridal Falls, Telluride

    Telluride Via Ferrata

  • Maintained by Telluride Mountain Club
  • Telluride, Colorado near Ajax Peak
  • Unguided climbing experience
  • Requires safety knowledge
  • Climbers provide own gear
  • For more experienced climbers, we recommend Telluride’s unguided Via Ferrata course. This thrilling and renowned adventure route, nestled in Colorado’s majestic San Juan Mountains below Ajax Peak, provides stunning vistas of Bridal Veil Falls, Ingram Falls, and the mesmerizing box canyon. This is an unguided course, so those wishing to experience this Via Ferrata should have prior mountaineering and climbing experience, as well as their own gear. Local guides may be available for tours of the Telluride Via Ferrata.

    large group on Via Ferrata course
    Royal Gorge Bridge

    Royal Gorge Via Ferrata

  • Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
  • CaƱon City, Colorado
  • Guided Tour
  • Min. age 10
  • The Royal Gorge Via Ferrata is one of the attractions at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. It crosses the Arkansas River and climbs into the park’s granite wall formations. This is guided course, offering several climbing options.

    Man rock climbing
    Lake at RMNP

    Peregrine Arete and Cloud Ladder Via Ferratas

  • Kent Mountain Adventure Center
  • Estes Park, Colorado
  • Must have prior experience for Cloud Ladder
  • Guided tour
  • Min. age 12
  • The Peregrine Arete Via Ferrata offers a challenging ascent along a narrow ridge, providing jaw-dropping views of the surrounding canyons and rock formations. On the Cloud Ladder Via Ferrata, climbers navigate an exposed cliffside route with exhilarating vertical sections and a series of ladders that add an extra element of excitement. These are guided courses, requiring varying levels of experiences.

    Canyon in Ouray, Colorado
    Ice climbing - Ouray, Colorado

    Ouray Via Ferrata

  • Located in Ouray Ice Park Gorge
  • Ouray, Colorado
  • An Upstream and Downstream route
  • Unguided Via Ferrata experience
  • Check out the Ouray Ice Park rules
  • Located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, this Via Ferrata offers a thrilling experience as climbers traverse exposed ledges, scale vertical cliffs, and navigate iron rungs. Unique features include a “Sky Ladder”– a bridge across the gorge–and a challenging “Sky Climb.” The ice park offers a “Downstream” and an “Upstream” route, with the latter being more challenging and including fewer integrations in favor of natural features. Both routes are unguided and previous experience is suggested; however, guides may be hired through several services.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Questions? Check out our FAQs for answers to the most popular questions about Via Ferrata trips.