If a hike up into the mountains surrounding of Lake Garda is not enough for an adrenaline rush, you can also try the climbing system above the lake, provided that you have the appropriate equipment and can use it safely.

Because one of the best Lake Garda ferratas and one of the oldest climbing facilities in the region is located on the north shore of Lake Garda, directly above the much-visited tourist resort Riva del Garda. For the Via dell 'Amicizia you should at least have a certain level of fitness, because you have to climb almost 650 meters to the summit.

What is a ferrata and how is a via ferrata created?

The Italian name for via ferrata has be translated with iron path, which literally means stairs of iron and describes the character of modern via ferrata very well. The term Via Ferrata is not only used in Italy, but is also common in German-speaking countries and in some other countries. There are well more than 1000 via ferratas in the Alpine region, 500 of them are in Austria, where an average of ten new routes are built each year.
A via ferrata is a climbing path on natural or artificial rock secured with iron ladders, iron pins, brackets (as steps) and (steel) ropes. In the past, rock passages on hiking trails were secured with steel cables. By the time, via ferratas developed from this, making increasingly difficult routes accessible for non-climbers. Today climbing via ferrata has developed into an alpine discipline of its own.

The iron brought into a via ferrata serves on one hand for movement (additional handles and steps) and on the other hand for self-protection with a so-called via ferrata set. In difficult via ferrata, self-belaying can also be supplemented by a rope team. Some climbers try to climb a route freely by using the iron inserted in the path just for safety and not for movement.

A current commercially available via ferrata set according to the UIAA standard generally consists of a rope brake and two pieces of rope, each with a via ferrata carabiner. In the event of a fall, a band specially sewn for this purpose - a band energy absorber - is torn or a piece of rope which is pulled through a rope brake plate. The approved systems can be constructed in different ways and are capable of cushioning a fall dynamically; There are a few variants on the market that are very similar in their fall-absorbing effect. There have recently also been systems that are moved up the steel cable by the climber, but which fix themselves against backward movement by means of a clamp mechanism.

Profession or obsession - climber builder

A via ferrata is not built from the bottom up, as assumed, but is created from the top down. First there is a rough line in the head of the builder, in Ramsau am Dachstein this is, for example, the mountain guide Hans Prugger: "A via ferrata is set up by rappelling and then we climb a little from the bottom up," explains Prugger. Just then will the more precise route be determined. Hans Prugger pays particular attention to falling rocks, but of course also to good approaches and descents. Steps, bolts, anchors, rope lengths, etc. are measured and ordered. Then the material flight usually takes place by helicopter. Material depots are created at a distance of 50 m.

The via ferrata ropes are shortened to 30 meters and weigh around 50 kilos, depending on their strength. JUst after the material flight a fixed rope is stretched across the entire height of the rock. This fixed rope is used to enable the via ferrata builder to get up and down or to attach equipment.

“The weather often changes quickly here in the mountains,” explains Hans Prugger, “then it has to be very quick. At the "Anna" the cold snap came so quickly in October that I had to hurry to winterize everything while the rock froze below me. "

Work on the rock is carried out with a 50 kg generator, drill, step stirrups, clamps and anchor bolts as well as fixing compound. Drill, fill the holes with fixing compound, drive in the bolts and hang the climbing rope in the anchor bolt. These are the work steps to get via ferrata climbers safely to their destination. These measures took several weeks to complete on the newly built “Anna” via ferrata.

Exhausting inclines and relaxing path sections

Ascent to the rock face: The initially paved path 404 to the Bastione (211 m) begins at a large overview board on the road. From the white fortress on the path to the Capanna (hut at 560 m). From the hut in the direction of the S. Barbara chapel, before a tunnel hole, the marked path (404 B) branches off to the right to the next entry.
The climb should not be underestimated due to its length and the altitude to be overcome. The ladders are very exposed, but not particularly difficult. Take enough fluids with you on hot days. The position of the stairs are completely in the sun in the morning.
Once at the top, via ferrata climbers have a breathtaking view of the deep blue Lake Garda, the town of Riva and the Sacratal valley to the north. Another highlight of this beautifully situated via ferrata are the two steep ladder passages. To really enjoy this Ferrata, you should choose a day with not too hot weather.

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