Via ferratas in Austria

Via ferratas are becoming more and more popular and some regions offer enough for several holidays.

In Tyrol, Lake Achensee is a hotspot for via ferratas. In the Karwendel and Rofan mountains, both beginners and pros will find a suitable route. The big highlight is the tour over 5 peaks. The Zillertal also offers numerous via ferratas in all levels of difficulty. Not forgetting the Ötztal with its wide range of via ferratas for a half-day tour and short climbs that are perfect for beginners.

There are also numerous regions in Salzburger Land with a wide range of options. The region around the Hochkönig stands out in particular, but you can also choose from several via ferratas of varying difficulty in the Salzburger Saalachtal.

Word of the Hias via ferrata has spread among climbing enthusiasts as a real classic. The medium-difficulty climb in the Dachstein mountains is an ideal half-day tour. It leads up the Silberkarklamm gorge on the southern side of the Dachstein massif to enjoy the view of the Schladminger Tauern high above.

Also in the Dachstein mountains, but in the border region between Styria and Upper Austria, are the Irg and Westgrat via ferratas. The latter is categorised as easy, while the Irg via ferrata demands a great deal of technique in high alpine terrain.

The Amon via ferrata in Upper Austria also joins the ranks of via ferratas in the Dachstein. The combination of rock and ice during the ascent to the Hohe Kreuz is particularly appealing to climbers.

One of the most famous via ferratas in Austria is located on the Hochkönig. The Königsjodler via ferrata leads over all the peaks of the Teufelskrallen up to the Übergossene Alm. Only opened in 2001, it is already one of the absolute top addresses in the country.

In the Tannheimer Tal, the Lachenspitze via ferrata offers impressive climbing passages at lofty heights and rewards you with the best summit panorama at the end.

The Attersee via ferrata in the mountains of the Salzkammergut in Upper Austria offers climbers a breathtaking view of Lake Attersee. Technically, it should not be underestimated, especially as the easier sections are often followed by very challenging and steep climbing passages.

In Lower Austria, ambitious climbers can explore the Gutenstein Alpine formations on the HTL via ferrata. This attractive via ferrata is located on the eastern edge of the Alps.

The Kristall via ferrata at Weißsee in the Granatspitzgruppe in Salzburg combines thrills and scenic delights in equal measure. Climbing fans can put their technique and stamina to the test on rocky slopes in the overhang.

For families with children, on the other hand, a visit to one of the family-friendly routes, such as the Reißtalersteig in Hochsteiermark, is well worthwhile.

The longest via ferrata in Austria is the via ferrata on the Großer Priel in the Totes Gebirge. In 2019, a new section was added to the Bert Rinesch via ferrata. Thanks to this extension, the via ferrata on the Großer Priel can now boast the title of "Austria's longest via ferrata" with 900 metres in altitude and a climbing length of over 2000 metres. If you start from the valley and not from the Prielschutzhaus, you can expect a long day on the mountain, as there are over 2000 metres of altitude to conquer.