Via Ferrata is one of the most epic experiences you can have in Switzerland. It’s basically a set of ladders and metal grips that lead you up the side of a mountain, often very exposed. You are attached the whole way with a harness but trust me it is still scary to hang off the edge of a cliff. In this article, I’ll share with you the Via Ferrata routes in Switzerland, which I found the most epic during my trip around the country.
In this blog post, you will find a description of each of the Via Ferrata routes I did in Switzerland as well as some photos and a link to the individual blog post I wrote about all of the Via Ferrata routes. You can click on that link for a more detailed review of the Via Ferrata including maps, starting points, how to get there, photos, directions, difficulty, and a short story about my experience on that particular Via Ferrata in Switzerland.
WHAT IS A VIA FERRATA
For those who don’t know what a Via Ferrata is, it’s basically a series of ladders, steps, and rock climbing that leads you up a wall. You are wearing a harness and clip into a strong wire at the start of the Via Ferrata. From that point, you are always clipped in with at least one clip. Ever 10 steps or so, you reach a new section of wire and you unclip one Caribiner clip from the old section and attach it to the news section. Once it is firmly secured, you unclip the second clip from the old section and also add it to the new section so you now have two Carabiner clips in the new section and you move another ten steps. I created a little vlog-style video and posted it below so you can understand what that explanation actually looks like visually.
You can actually buy your own Via Ferrata gear for pretty cheap on sites like Amazon and then you don’t need to rent it at each Via Ferrata course. They usually cost about $20-40 USD to rent per day and can be bought for about $200 for a full kit such as this Petzl Via Ferrata Kit.
4 AWESOME VIA FERRATA ROUTES IN SWITZERLAND
PINUT VIA FERRATA (KLETTERSTEIG) IN FLIMS – EPIC CLIFFSIDE STAIRWAY
The Via Ferrata (Klettersteig) in Flims is an epic series of staircases and ladders on the edge of a cliff that winds up hundreds of meters above the valley. From the summit, you have incredible views of Crestasee, Caumasee and the entire region of Flims
The Pinut Via Ferrata is actually the oldest of it’s kind in all of Switzerland and was opened in 1907. For those who are nervous hearing about climbing a century-old ladder, fear not. This Via Ferrata is maintained by the tourism board and was fully renovated in 2007.
The first part of the Pinut Via Ferrata is, in my opinion, the most spectacular. There is a huge spire that you pass by on the boardwalks in between scaling the ladders up the cliffside. It is a really unique rock formation and by walking upon the cliffside you get a close-up inspection. The route then continues up the wall and actually leads you inside some caves and small tunnels, all the while connected to the strong cable, which keeps you safe throughout the hike. From within the tunnels and caves, you can see out the gaps all the way down to Flims and the lakes.
Want more details and photos? View the full blog post here: PINUT VIA FERRATA (KLETTERSTEIG) IN FLIMS – EPIC CLIFFSIDE STAIRWAY
MURREN TO GIMMELWALD VIA FERRATA
The Via Ferrata from Murren to Gimmelwald is one of the most epic adventures in Switzerland. Traverse ladders and steps on the edge of a cliff overlooking Lauterbrunnen, but don’t worry you are strapped in with a harness!
For those who don’t know what a Via Ferrata is, it’s basically a series of ladders, steps, and rock climbing that leads you up a wall. You are wearing a harness and clip into a strong wire at the start of the Via Ferrata. From that point, you are always clipped in with at least one clip.
This is one of the most exhilarating hiking experiences you can have while based in Interlaken. You will literally be hanging off the wall over a 500-meter drop down into Lauterbrunnen Valley. You up for it?
I’ve added the instructions to get to the start of the Murren Via Ferrata below.
- From Interlaken, you will need to catch the train Lauterbrunnen
- Once in Lauterbrunnen take the Grutschalp cable car, which is right next to the train station. This will take you all the way up to Grutschalp station where you can switch onto the historic, Murren Railway.
- The Murren Railway is one of the most scenic rides in Switzerland with views of Eiger and the surrounding peaks along the journey.
- Once you arrive at the Murren Train Station turn left out of the station and walk for 10-minutes past Hotel Edelweiss and you will arrive at the sports chalet on your right and Intersport on your left for the hiring of the gear.
Want more details and photos? View the full blog post here: THE MURREN TO GIMMELWALD VIA FERRATA
EPIC VIA FERRATA AT FÜRENALP IN ENGELBERG, SWITZERLAND
Hiking in Switzerland is an incredible experience with some of the most amazing mountain views and summits in the world. However, you can take it to the next level and actually get off the hiking trail and climb directly up the mountain face on a ladder. It’s called Via Ferrata and you are clipped into a wire so it’s totally safe but also an adrenaline rush as you scale hundreds of meters up the rock face. The Via Ferrata in Fürenalp, Engelberg is known as one of the best routes in the country. It’s challenging but such an adventure!
Hike Distance: The total hike distance was 6.54 kilometers, which includes the 1km walk from the shop/ticket office to the start of the Via Ferrata. Not sure how accurate that was considering the ups and downs but that is how my Garmin watch recorded the day.
Hike Duration: Our total time from the shop to the wall to the summit was 4 hours and 12 minutes. Our total moving time was 2 hours and 17 minutes. We let a lot of other climbers pass us and went very slowly as always to take photos and just sit around and enjoy the views. It’s not the kind of activity to rush. It could be easily done from top to bottom in under two hours. You do need to catch the cable car down at the top or hike down, which adds a little extra time also.
Hike Difficulty: This route is rated K4 difficulty. I haven’t done too many Via Ferrata’s but I was told this is one of the more challenging ones out there. It was actually my first time ever and was a pretty simple concept of clicking in and out so don’t worry if you have little to no experience. We climbed 773 meters of an incline in total and a lot of it was ladders and metal pegs out of the wall. If you have any fears of heights don’t do this. If you aren’t in good shape… don’t do this. If you like adventure and want a challenge then go for it. There were several families doing it and a young boy so it’s nothing crazy but definitely not for everyone.
Hike Incline: The total incline for the day was 773m from the shop to Fürenalp. The hike starts in at the ticket-shop/Fürenalp cable car office and finished at an altitude of 1811m.
Want more details and photos? View the full blog post here: EPIC VIA FERRATA AT FÜRENALP IN ENGELBERG
THE ROTSTOCK VIA FERRATA AT EIGER, GRINDELWALD
The Rotstock Via Ferrata is an epic climb right next to the famous North Face Wall of Eiger. Using a harness, stairs and metal stairs you can climb 400m of incline to the 360-degree panoramic viewpoint.
For those who don’t know what a Via Ferrata is, it’s basically a series of ladders, steps, and rock climbing that leads you up a wall. You are wearing a harness and clip into a strong wire at the start of the Via Ferrata. From that point, you are always clipped in with at least one clip.
The total hike distance was 5km from the start of the Eiger Trail and up to the summit and then back down to Eigergletscher Station.
Want more details and photos? View the full blog post here: THE ROTSTOCK VIA FERRATA AT EIGER, GRINDELWALD
I hope you enjoyed that list of epic Via Ferrata routes in Switzerland. If there are any Via Ferrata routes in Switzerland you think I need to check out on my next visit, please comment them below!
MY SWITZERLAND HIKING GUIDES
I spent 100 days hiking in Switzerland and created a guide for different regions around the country. You can click on one of my Switzerland hiking guides below to help you plan your trip.
THE SWITZERLAND HIKING GUIDE: 50 AWESOME HIKES IN IN SWITZERLAND: I spent 100 days in Switzerland making this huge guide with all of the hikes I personally explored.
4 AWESOME VIA FERRATA COURSES IN SWITZERLAND: Via Ferrata is a cliff-side climbing route where you are harnessed in. You have to try it at least once!
10 AWESOME HIKES NEAR LAUTERBRUNNEN: Lauterbrunnen is the most picturesque valley in Switzerland and is situated perfectly amidst many famous hiking routes.
INTERLAKEN HIKING GUIDE: 15 AWESOME HIKES IN INTERLAKEN: Interlaken is my favorite town in Switzerland and is the number one hiking base.
12 AWESOME HIKES NEAR GRINDELWALD: A great location to base if you are a keen hiker with lots of hut-to-hut hikes and epic peaks.
7 AWESOME HIKES IN MURREN: Murren is one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland and is surrounded by great hiking routes.
9 AWESOME HIKES NEAR APPENZELL: My favorite hikes around the Alpstein Region and other peaks near Appenzell.
7 AWESOME HIKES NEAR CHUR: Several beautiful lakes, and incredible gorge hike, and an epic Via Ferrata course.
MY PERSONALIZED SWITZERLAND TRAVEL TIPS
SWITZERLAND BUDGET BACKPACKING GUIDE: In this blog, I talk about the cost of travel and how to travel around Switzerland on the cheap with some tips and hacks from my experience.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MY SWITZERLAND TRAVEL TIPS: You probably didn’t even think of half of these. I didn’t either and figured many of these tips out the hard way.
MOST IMPORTANT TRANSPORT TIP: SWISS HALF CARD
OPTION 1: Switzerland trains, buses, and cable cars are EXPENSIVE! I found the best way to get around cheaply was to buy the Swiss Half-Fare Card before I arrived. It gives you 50% off every regular train, bus, and even many cable cars. It only costs $150 USD but pays itself off in just a few days with many train tickets in Switzerland costing close to $100 alone. OPTION 2: The second option is to get the Swiss Travel Pass, which gives you unlimited train, bus, and (many) cable car rides but it’s pretty expensive at around $100 USD per day so if you don’t travel each day it isn’t worth it. OPTION 3: The final option is to get the FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass, which allows you to buy 8 days’ worth of transit but you can choose the night before if you want to activate the next day. That way you don’t need to travel every day to get your money’s worth, you can just activate the FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass on the days where you are doing sizeable transits. My advice is to book the Swiss Half-Fare Card or the FLEXI Swiss Travel Pass in advance before your trip so it’s ready to go when you arrive.
Rafael Simancas
Saturday 24th of December 2022
I am traveling to Switzerland the last week of May (Interlaken and Lucerne), are Via Ferratas open during May as well for solo travelers (no guide groups)?
Paul
Thursday 7th of April 2022
IDE like to know if one could accomplish these 4 via ferratas in 6-7 days? Are there accommodations at each area where the courses are located? Thank you in advance
Willy Espana
Tuesday 8th of February 2022
Hi, thanks for sharing nice content! Are the via ferratas closed in april? I mean, is the access forbidden? Or its just not very advisable? Thanks! Willy
Matter
Saturday 9th of April 2022
@Willy Espana, Hi Willy, We can only speak for the via ferrata Fürenalp. The via ferrata usually opens end of May until end of October. Depending on the weather conditions this dates may vary a bit. Once the via ferrata is open it stays open during the saison. Outside this dates the via ferrata is closed. Mountain guides take away some parts of the via ferrata in autumn. In spring our whole via ferrata is checked by specialists every year and repaired where necessary. During the open saison mountain guides check the route and tell the specialist if something needs be done, which then is immediately checked and repaired. This is to guarantee the highest standards and security possible. More information about our via ferrata and open status can be found here on our website https://www.fuerenalp.ch/en/via-ferrata. Hope that helps! Regards, the Fürenalp team
João Esteves C.
Monday 28th of June 2021
Thank you for all the detailed tips. Makes all the difference when planning the outings cause there's indeeed many details to have into account and you covered most of them! These four Ferratas are on my list! Keep up Jackson
The Danish Nomads
Sunday 17th of May 2020
Okay, we simply HAVE to learn this over the summer! Cannot believe how many awesome spots you have both here in Switzerland and so many other places! Hope we can go on just one of these adventures before the year is over!
Jackson
Monday 18th of May 2020
It's so easy and fun. Lots of families and kids doing it aswell!