Via Ferratas/Iron Ways suitable for beginners should not only be of moderate difficulty but, above all, have a manageable approach and descent – the children in particular will appreciate this.
Text: Simon Schöpf
Right at the entrance to the Pitztal valley lies the Steinwand, which offers two lovely via ferrata routes. The right-hand route is suitable for beginners – it takes a good ten minutes to reach the start from the car park. More experienced climbers can tackle the left-hand route, which is graded C/D and requires good fitness and muscle strength.
The big advantage is that there’s something for everyone here. And at the end, everyone can enjoy a picnic together with a view of the valley.
The Ottenalm in the Kaiserwinkl near Walchsee, which is both family friendly and idyllic, is well worth a trip in its own right. Five minutes beyond the Alpine Pasture lies the Harau Spitze (1,117 m), through whose north face two challenging via ferratas lead: the Ottenalm Direttissima and the Bergkameradensteig.
The Walchseerunde is the short, practice route on the far right – you should allow 20 minutes for this. And anyone who’s worked up a proper appetite from all that climbing and scrambling knows exactly where to find the Alpine Pasture.
Admittedly, we’re stretching the term ‘close to the valley’ a little here: to reach the Little Ballun, you take the Birkhahnbahn cable car from Galtür in Paznaun. This cuts the Access time down to a child-friendly five minutes – and the view opens up accordingly.
The difficulty levels on this route, designed especially for families, are moderate and mostly range from A to B; the climbing is on solid primary rock. A brilliant trip for everyone aged eight and over.
If you Google ‘Ötztal’ and ‘Via Ferrata/Iron Way’, you’ll be spoilt for choice – there’s a steel cable stretching across almost every Rock Face here. A particularly easy Via Ferrata/Iron Way with very short Access lies not far from Lake Piburg: the Piburg practice Via Ferrata/Iron Way.
It’s ideal for those first few metres up a vertical face. In summer, Lake Piburg is a great place to cool off, and you can always grab an ice cream at one of the surrounding inns.
It’s rare to find such a spectacular natural display just a mere ten-minute access away: the access to the“Holderli Seppl” Via Ferrata/Iron Way is situated right next to the impressive Rifflbach waterfall in the upper reaches of the Kaunertal valley.
The route continues over polished gneiss slabs, always following the watercourse, to the “Schnapsloch” at 2,100 metres. It’s a spot that can be thoroughly enjoyed even when sober.
Tips & Safety
Would you like to know more about climbing safety? Click here for our safety tips.
