There are two different rating systems in via ferrata:
1. The classic rating system:
It is the same as the one used in climbing.
F (Facile / Easy) = No difficulty.
PD (Peu Difficile / Slightly Difficult) = 1 or 2 sections that are a bit more athletic or higher than the rest, but still accessible to beginners and children.
AD (Assez Difficile / Fairly Difficult) = Vertical or dizzying passages, sometimes with obstacles. Still accessible to less experienced participants if supervised by a professional.
D (Difficile / Difficult) = Fairly athletic vertical passages. The route is reserved for participants with a solid level of practice.
TD (Très Difficile / Very Difficult) = Very demanding sections, often requiring significant arm strength. Reserved for enthusiasts of the activity.
ED (Extrêmement Difficile / Extremely Difficult) = Requires excellent physical condition and comfort with exposure to heights!
A “+” or “–” can be added to fine-tune the rating (e.g., F+).
⚠️ However, this system can be misleading. Since it is identical to the climbing rating system, it may cause confusion, as via ferrata and climbing routes with the same grade are actually very different. Therefore, via ferrata difficulty should always be assessed in its proper context.
2. The new rating system:
It indicates both the type of route and the level of difficulty.
Route types (based on length, altitude, and required commitment):
School Style = Accessible to everyone, including children. Usually at low height and relatively short.
Sport Style = Requires little commitment, even if there are some obstacles. Can be a bit athletic, but generally short.
Mountain Style = Located in high or mid-mountain areas, where environmental difficulty is greater. Often requires a higher level of commitment.
Adventure Style = Longer routes, reserved for experienced participants.
Difficulty level (graded from 1 = easy to 4 = difficult, across four criteria):
Athletic = Evaluates steepness and physical effort required (1 = not athletic / 4 = very athletic).
Exposure (“Gaz”) = Evaluates height and exposure to void (1 = not impressive / 4 = very vertiginous).
Equipment (“Ferrée”) = Evaluates the amount of installed gear (1 = well-equipped / 4 = very few aids).
Terrain = Evaluates natural conditions making the route more or less difficult (1 = prepared path / 4 = steep rock walls).