The term “via ferrata” comes from Latin and can literally be translated as “iron path.” This activity has its origins in Italy during the First World War (see History of the Via Ferrata).
Definition of Via FerrataAn “iron path,” but what exactly does that mean? In fact, “a via ferrata is a sporting route laid out along a rock face, equipped with specific elements (rungs, rails, cables, etc.) designed to facilitate progression and optimize the safety of participants” (AFIT/SETAM, 1998). The equipment installed along the rock wall can vary depending on the environment: it may consist only of a cable fixed into the rock, allowing progression along the face with little difficulty, or it may include a full set of installations (rails, ropes, rungs, etc.).
Via ferrata is therefore a vertical activity, practiced along rock faces, made accessible to a wide public thanks to these technical installations. Apart from good physical condition, no other prerequisites are necessary! This outdoor sporting activity is often enjoyed by hikers who want to discover a mountain landscape from a different perspective.
But isn’t it very similar to climbing? What’s the difference?
In fact, via ferrata is an activity halfway between hiking and climbing; it combines walking with progression on rock. The main difference between the two disciplines is that via ferrata includes built-in installations (such as zip lines) to help participants progress along the route—features you would not find in climbing. It therefore offers a more original experience than climbing, while being just as sporty and close to nature!
Haute-Savoie is a privileged area for practicing via ferrata; the Annecy region in particular is an excellent place to try it out! Some routes even offer stunning views over Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountain ranges.