Climbing with Children in the Steinberge: from the Playground to the Via Ferrata

Playgrounds with climbing frames

Once the sofa and kitchen chairs have been conquered, it’s soon the turn of the cupboards – and then the climbing frames at the playground. In the Steinberge mountains, children can playfully give free rein to their urge to climb, for example:

• at the Almerlebnisspielplatz in Almenwelt Lofer,
• at the low ropes course in Timok’s Wild World at the Middle station of the Fieberbrunn Uphill Facilities,
• at the low ropes course in Triassic Park on the Steinplatte – where people of all ages can practise their balance and agility.

The first rock climbing attempts

From around the age of three, with the right kit – a full-body harness – children can start climbing on the rock using a rope. The Halser Grund children’spractice crag and the Wiesensee Crag, situated between St. Ulrich am Pillersee and Hochfilzen, offer excellent practice areas for families with young climbers. Both are just a three-minute walk from the road, and the lake is not far away if you fancy a dip.

At a glance:

• Halser Grund: 22 routes, 6 to 8 m long, difficulty 3 to 4, Family friendly
• Wiesensee: Routes up to Level of Difficulty 7 – there’s something for parents too

Climbing courses for children

Children’s climbing courses run by sport climbing instructors and Mountain Guides usually start from around the age of five. This gives children the chance to spend two to three hours away from mum and dad. Before this age, the ‘separation anxiety’ often causes problems – so parents of younger climbers should master belaying techniques themselves so they can lend a hand.

At the Felsenfest climbing centre in Saalfelden, children can have a go at climbing or take a beginners’ course. Through climbing games, they learn basic techniques and climbing rules, are shown how to belay, and climb on top-rope – indoors and, weather permitting, outdoors on the wall.

More tips for rainy days:

• Climbing walls in hotels such as the Salzburger Hof and Mama Thresl in Leogang
• the Pillersee Family Park in St. Jakob in Haus

Holiday and summer programmes

Those who prefer to leave it to the professionals will also find supervised climbing programmes for children and teenagers in the summer:

• Salzburg’s Saalachtal: Children’s climbing as part of the holiday programme, led by professionals from the Markus Hirnböck Alpine School – at the Weißbacher Platte in fine weather, indoors in bad weather. Organised by age group.
• Pillersee: As part of the summer programme, children aged eight and over climb with professionals at theHalser Grund.
• Via Ferrata: Youth Activity Programs supervised by Mountain Guides, for example on the St Adolari Via Ferrata.

Tip: Dates, age groups and Registration details vary from season to season – please check directly with the tourist boards or providers in advance.

Via Ferrata routes with children

Once the children are a bit older, Via Ferrata becomes an option too. The suitable age is around eight to ten years. It’s important that:

• An adult must supervise the child on the via ferrata and ensure the harness is correctly secured.
• Please note the minimum weight of 40 kg – only then will a via ferrata set properly absorb a fall in accordance with current standards.
• The accompanying adult must be able to provide additional rope belaying on difficult sections.

Two via ferratas for young Beginners in the Steinberge mountains:

• St. Adolari Via Ferrata in St. Ulrich am Pillersee: short and pleasant, difficulty B/C, with a bridge and a zip line at the end.
• ‘Zahme Gams’ in Weißbach near Lofer: grade A/B, C in places – perfectly manageable with the right equipment and knowledge of belaying techniques.

More on this topic: Via Ferrata with children: 4 valuable tips.

Conclusion: Anyone wishing to discover climbing for themselves and their children will find a wide range of offers for all age groups in the Steinberge mountains throughout the summer.