No long access, no vertical sections requiring strength, but plenty of adventure: these five via ferratas are suitable for beginners and for families with children aged around 8 to 10.
All five are rated between difficulty levels B and C and have a short access of between 5 and 30 minutes. For each via ferrata, there’s a tip on how to spend the rest of the day – because when you’re out with children, the via ferrata is often only half the trip.
What to bring: a full via ferrata set and a helmet for everyone, plus a short rope to provide extra safety for the children.
Text: Katrin Oblasser
The Little Ballun family via ferrata starts a few minutes’ walk below the Birkhahnbahn top station in Galtür. The difficulty is mostly grade A/B, with a few sections reaching grade B. Over around 100 metres of elevation gain, there are varied climbing sections and a short rope bridge – suitable for children aged 8 and above.
Tip for afterwards: The swimming lake in See im Paznaun is about half an hour’s drive from Galtür. Two swimming lakes, a children’s play area, beach volleyball courts and a restaurant offer plenty to do.
The Galugg via ferrata in Zams has everything a beginner’s route needs: the access from the car park by the hospital takes only about 5 minutes. After an easy start over grassy rock, traverses alternate with steeper sections; in the upper sector there are two routes – the one on the right is slightly longer and more scenic.
Tip for afterwards: The Tramser Weiher lies above Landeck and Zams and, with its sunbathing lawn and clear water, is the perfect spot for a swim.
It’s rare to climb so close to roaring water: the Stuibenfall via ferrata in Umhausen in the Ötztal is one of Tirol’s top via ferratas. Rated difficulty C, it is slightly more challenging than the others – but the many built-in footholds make the key sections, some of which are exposed and jut outwards, manageable even for beginners and children aged 10 and over.
Tip for afterwards: A visit to the Ötzi Village in Umhausen rounds off the family day.
Short, family friendly and with a built-in test of courage: The St. Adolari Via Ferrata in St. Ulrich am Pillersee in the Steinberge mountains covers a climbing distance of around 250 metres at difficulty level B/C. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the car park at Gasthof St. Adolari to the start of the route.
Tip for afterwards: The via ferrata is located in the Adolari Crag. If you fancy it, why not try both in one day: the via ferrata and sport climbing.
The Galitzenklamm family via ferrata starts right at the entrance to the gorge near Leisach and Amlach, just a few kilometres from Lienz. It winds its way along spectacular waterfalls through the unspoilt Galitzenklamm gorge up to a rocky outcrop. The footholds are close together, so children aged 10 and over will find it easy to manage.
Tip for afterwards: There is even more to discover around the Galitzenklamm – a water discovery trail, a water playground and a forest rope park at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites. Check with the operator in advance to see if via ferrata sets and helmets are available for hire on site.
For children, additionally: a short rope to provide extra security at tricky sections.
Tips & Safety
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