The Growth of Via Ferrata in the U.S.

I find myself perched about 5,000 feet above sea level on a granite outcrop, gazing at Triumvirate Glacier, a 28-mile river of ice stretching across the Tordrillo Mountains in Alaska. Approximately 900 feet below me lies the small, rocky ledge where our group began the ascent.

Previously, reaching this spot would have required a range of advanced gear and years of climbing expertise. Now, all I need is some sure-footedness and a guide. This is thanks to the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge’s via ferrata (Italian for 'iron path'), which opened its doors in 2019.

A via ferrata is a climbing route equipped with metal rungs, steps, pegs, suspension bridges, and ladders bolted into the rock face, along with a cable system for added safety, making it relatively accessible to navigate otherwise challenging terrain.

The History of Via Ferratas

Via ferrata routes have existed for over a century in Europe, initially serving a more practical purpose. They were created during WWI to transport troops and supplies through mountainous regions and have since evolved into a popular, beginner-friendly (as long as you aren’t afraid of heights) way for people to enjoy the mountains. Today, over 1,000 via ferrata routes can be found across the Alps alone. These systems are now gaining traction in the United States, particularly at ski resorts and luxury outdoor hotels.

“Via ferratas are designed for anyone who loves hiking outdoors and wants to access areas that were once exclusively for climbers,” stated Todd Rutledge, owner of Mountain Trip, a guiding service in Telluride, Colorado, that leads guests on local routes. “They lower the entry barrier to spaces that once required years of skill development to access.”

Some routes cling to vibrant red rock mesas in the desert, while others skirt ledges with views of alpine forests. Some feature suspension bridges that span chasms or waterfalls, and others conclude with a zip-line back to the ground. A key feature of the via ferratas in the U.S. (Rutledge estimates there are at least two dozen) is that they are primarily located on private land, with exceptions like Telluride and two in Ouray, Colorado, which are free and open to the public. For those on private land, owners generally require users to go with one of their in-house guides for added safety; instruction and equipment are included in the package price, which typically starts around $150 for a half-day experience.

Experiencing a Via Ferrata Climb

Climbs begin with an introduction to the equipment, detailing its use and safety features.

While self-locking carabiners, a harness, and a helmet are essential, other mountaineering gear, like ropes and belay devices, are unnecessary here. Climbers use a via ferrata set, which includes two large carabiners attached to a harness via a shock absorber. These carabiners clip onto safety cables as they ascend (using both metal bars and natural handholds in the rock). As climbers reach anchor points spaced a few feet apart, they unclip one carabiner, reattach it beyond the anchor, and repeat with the second. This system limits the distance of a fall, allowing even those with minimal experience to navigate the sheer cliff face with relative ease—it’s akin to climbing a ladder.

Although they don’t demand extensive mountaineering expertise and are often compared to attractions like aerial rope courses, they can still induce a sense of vertigo.

“It’s what we refer to as an earned experience,” explained Mike Friedman, managing partner of Utah-based Adventure Partners, a company that constructs via ferratas. “Unlike zip-lining, where you just shut your eyes and go, you actually have to climb.”

He mentioned that most of his staff have backgrounds in mountain guiding, allowing them to gauge clients' limits, encourage the use of natural rock features, and strategically place climbers in more exposed positions while constructing the routes.

“The goal is to create a sense of flow and make it feel like a genuine climb,” Friedman explained.

Even Rutledge admitted that there are sections of the Telluride route—despite having done it hundreds of times—that still give him butterflies. “There’s a moment when you’re on the rungs, and the rock is slightly overhanging, requiring you to step down and to the left. With 325 feet of air beneath my feet, it’s exhilarating.”

According to Friedman, most of the via ferratas in the United States have emerged in the past five years. He noted that they are typically constructed in areas with a climbing heritage—Mammoth is close to Yosemite, Jackson Hole lies in the Tetons, and Arapahoe Basin is nestled in the Rockies. They integrate well into the existing mountaineering culture.

The same vertical landscapes that create exhilarating ski runs are ideal for via ferratas, prompting several ski areas in the American West, such as Tahoe and Taos, to introduce these routes recently to boost summer revenue (the ski town via ferratas close during winter). This summer, Arapahoe Basin in Colorado unveiled North America's highest-elevation via ferrata on the East Wall. Guests can choose between a half-day adventure that leads them 900 feet to an old mining shaft or a full-day tour that climbs 1,200 feet, 800 of which is entirely vertical, to the 13,000-foot summit.

They are also becoming a sought-after feature at upscale, adventure-oriented resorts, such as Amangiri in Utah, Castle Hot Springs Resort in Arizona, and Alyeska Resort in Alaska.

Interested in giving one a try? Here are some of the top via ferrata routes in the United States.

Where to Experience Via Ferratas in the United States

Amangiri Via Ferrata, Utah

Guests at Amangiri and Camp Sarika, two opulent properties in Utah under the Aman brand, can explore any of the resorts' seven available via ferratas. The most thrilling course features the Cave Peak Stairway, a 200-foot-long steel bridge connecting two peaks. Comprising 120 steps, spaced about 18 inches apart, it hangs 400 feet above rugged rock. From the summit, guests can take in a stunning vista of camel-colored sand and sagebrush framed by mesas with rust and rose-colored stripes.

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge Via Ferrata, Alaska

Alaska's inaugural via ferrata was established in 2019 by the owners of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. This impressive route features a series of metal rungs, 1,200 feet of cable, and two suspension bridges, allowing guests to ascend 900 feet. Climbers are treated to views of the 28-mile-long Triumvirate Glacier, with its stunning moraines and ethereal blue crevasses, as well as the Tordrillo Mountains, including Mount Spurr, an active volcano that last erupted in 1992.

Access to the via ferrata is exclusively for lodge guests, making it nearly impossible for others to climb it, as the route begins on a rocky shelf only reachable by helicopter, situated 4,000 feet above sea level.

Cloud Ladder Via Ferrata, Estes Park, Colorado

Promoted as the steepest via ferrata in the United States, this climb features approximately 600 feet of vertical ascent. It includes two tightrope-style suspension bridges, one of which spans 45 feet across a 200-foot chasm. From the summit, located at about 9,200 feet, climbers can enjoy breathtaking views of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Mummy Range.

Quarry Trails Metro Park Via Ferrata, Columbus, Ohio

As one of the first urban via ferratas in the U.S., the Quarry Trails via ferrata opened its doors in Columbus in May 2023. This route extends 800 feet horizontally along a limestone cliff and features two aerial walkways, a 54-foot steel staircase, and a 90-foot suspension bridge suspended 105 feet above a pond.

Telluride Via Ferrata, Telluride, Colorado

One of just three free and publicly accessible trails in the United States, the Telluride Via Ferrata has been in operation since 2007. Located at the eastern end of a box canyon on the southern wall beneath Ajax Peak, this route measures 2.2 miles in total, but only 1,600 feet of it is equipped with cable—the remainder is a single-track trail. This trail is quite exposed, clinging to the ledge of a mountain that rises over 12,000 feet.

Rutledge mentioned that what he appreciates most about this route is its seasonal variations. “In spring, you can see Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado’s tallest waterfall, rushing right beside you. And in the fall, you find yourself above a breathtaking sea of golden and amber trees.”

Taos Ski Valley Via Ferrata

Nestled in the sub-alpine forest of Kachina Peak, a popular ski destination, lies a series of via ferrata routes suitable for both novice and experienced climbers. The climbs begin at approximately 11,500 feet and feature a 100-foot sky bridge suspended 50 feet above the ground, a double cable catwalk, and stunning views of the Rio Honod and the Wheeler Peak Wilderness area.