The easiest fixed rope routes in the Alps are called via ferratas, but from a purely sporting point of view they are rather demanding hikes on secured paths. Nevertheless, you should be free from giddiness, because they offer breathtaking panoramas. Here you will find a selection of worthwhile destinations for all hikers who are looking for a little dose of thrill.
From very easy to extremely difficult – the difficulty scales for via ferratas range from A to F or K1 to K6, depending on the scale used. Here we present technically easy via ferratas in the range A/B and K1/K2. They are ideally suited for beginners, families with young people or ambitious hikers who enjoy variety.
The backpacks Norix 28 and Norix 32 are the perfect companions for your next hiking or via ferrata tour thanks to their features.
With large front access, side pockets, gear loops and practical carabiner fixations on the shoulder straps.
Easy via ferratas in Bavaria
The Ettaler Manndl (1,633m) is one of the classics among Munich’s local mountains. This is also due to the fact that a short but steep via ferrata leads to the summit. We start at the parking lot for hikers in Ettal. On a forest path, the signposted trail winds through the forest for a good hour and a half until it reaches a rocky head. Here begins the short via ferrata (about 20 minutes), which is secured throughout with an easy-to-grip steel chain. In addition, the rock itself offers plenty of footholds and holds. At the top, you can let your gaze wander over the Notkarspitze and the Zugspitz massif that towers over everything.
Reading tip: Basic knowledge of via ferrata for beginners
The way down is the same as the way up – please watch out for oncoming traffic. Especially on weekends, the Ettaler Manndl is a popular destination. Therefore, you must expect to share the view and especially the chain with other like-minded people. Experienced and sure-footed mountaineers do not need self-securing, but for children it is worth playing it safe. Beware of wet conditions – the rock becomes quite slippery and this increases the difficulty.
At the end of the hike, it’s worth making a detour to the town of Ettal – the world-famous Benedictine monastery of Ettal with its impressive church and the monastery’s own brewery is already waiting there. Culture and outdoors combined – so everyone is guaranteed to get their money’s worth.
A real classic – the Alpsitz Ferrata
There is much more of a via ferrata feeling on the Alpspitz Ferrata. This tour is one of the easy climbing routes in the Alps and leads above Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the 2,628-meter-high summit of the Alpspitze, about 500 meters of which is a pure via ferrata. Almost all passages are in the A difficulty range – a few fall into the B category – and are very well secured with staples and wire rope. Nevertheless, a complete via ferrata equipment including via ferrata set, harness and helmet is absolutely necessary for this via ferrata. The route is exposed in places and there is a risk of falling rocks in the summit gully. The descent is not via the via ferrata, but you hike via the north face trail back down to the starting point.
One reason for the popularity of the tour is the easy access. In Grainau, the Alpspitzbahn takes you comfortably up the first meters to the Osterfelderkopf and only a few hundred meters from the mountain station is the entrance to the via ferrata. You should plan about four hours for the tour. Despite the low difficulty, this via ferrata is not suitable for children.
Also interesting: The 3 most amazing vie ferrate around Lake Garda
Pleasure via ferrata in Tyrol
In the Wilder Kaiser there are some very beautiful hikes with easy via ferrata sections. Among them is the Eggersteig through the Steinere Rinne. The destination is the rocky saddle Ellmauer Tor starting from the Griesneralm (approach via St. Johann in Tirol or Kössen through the Kaiserbachtal). From the alpine pasture you start in the direction of Stripsenjoch, but before that turn left at the fork in the road to Eggersteig.
This via ferrata of category A is well secured with steel ropes and leads steeply up with grippy rock through a gully to the Ellmauer Tor. To the left and right, the northern edge of the Predigtstuhl and the Fleischbank tower imposingly upwards and form the transition towards Ellmau. Surefootedness and a head for heights are a must on this tour, inexperienced climbers should have complete via ferrata equipment with them.
Even though the three via ferrata routes described are not demanding from a sporting point of view, it still makes sense to look into the topics of equipment and safety.
