During the First World War, the Italians and Austrians fought tooth and nail for dominance in the Dolomites. In order to get troops to remote places, they often installed ladders, cables or ropes for ‘non climbing’ troops to get where they needed to be. These Via Ferrata or “Iron Ways” were of interest to subsequent generations of climbers and eventually were developed as a sport in their own right, allowing access to places well beyond the climbing ability of most people.

Here’s a link to a great page that has details of VFs across Spain and several other countries.

Click here for details of over 280 Spanish VFs and a few other countries too!

Cherry and Becky high on Redovan VF

Pictures and details of VFs I’ve completed are in subsequent pages.

Just a few pictures to keep you interested!

Laurel enjoying her first VF

Nigel just above the strenuous finish. Some choose to abseil rather than down climb.