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Via Ferrata

Experience Colorado the iron way

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FIND YOUR COLORADO VIA FERRATA ADVENTURE

What is a Via Ferrata?

Via Ferrata, Italian for “Iron path,” refers to a mountain route equipped with ladders, cables, and bridges to make it more accessible. Via Ferratas trace back to the 19th century; however, they are most famously known for their use in World War I. The Italian military constructed several Via Ferratas into the Dolomites to aid in strategic positioning and allow troops to cross the rocky alpine terrain. Via Ferratas are currently used largely for recreational purposes by tourists and hikers. Modern courses maintain the same basic structure but include more handholds and cables for easier access. Over 1,000 Via Ferratas exist worldwide in North America, China, Africa, and Iceland–all with unique features and landscapes!

The Via Ferrata provides a fantastic opportunity to try out a new and exciting outdoor adventure! Because ladders and cables are built directly into a cliff face, Via Ferrata actually requires less technical knowledge than traditional climbing. AVA offers two unique guided Via Ferrata experiences: the Mount Evans Via Ferrata at our Idaho Springs outpost and the Granite Via Ferrata at our Buena Vista location. Both courses allow visitors to experience the best of the Rocky Mountains, as you traverse across a mountaintop cliff face and free fall into the stunning scenery. Highlights include rappels, hanging bridges, iron rungs, and even ziplines, so you won’t miss out on any aerial adventure!

OUR TRENDING VIA FERRATA TRIPS

MOUNT EVANS VIA FERRATA
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO VIEW MAP
ACTIVITIES: Via Ferrata
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (Intense)
MINIMUM AGE: 12 years old
PRICE: from $119

GRANITE VIA FERRATA
LOCATION: Buena Vista, CO VIEW MAP
ACTIVITIES: Via Ferrata
DURATION: 1/2 Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (Intense)
MINIMUM AGE: 12 years old
PRICE: from $99

VIA FERRATA AND RAFTING
LOCATION: Idaho Springs, CO VIEW MAP
ACTIVITIES: Via Ferrata and Gold Rush Rafting
DURATION: Full Day
DIFFICULTY: Level 5 (Intense)
RIVER RATING: Class III
MINIMUM AGE: 12 years old
PRICE: from $183

Still looking for the right trip?

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WHY CHOOSE AVA FOR YOUR VIA FERRATA ADVENTURE

AVA IS 25 YEARS OF ADVENTURE

Since 1998, AVA Rafting & Zipline has been committed to providing the best outdoor adventure experiences in Colorado. AVA first opened its waters as a whitewater rafting company, launching our first Via Ferrata course in 2017 at our Idaho Springs outpost. In 2018, we expanded our Via Ferrata adventures to our Buena Vista location. Across our adventure opportunities, AVA prioritizes excellence in guest service, safety, and sustainability, with these qualities garnering AVA such recognitions as Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, Best Whitewater Guide in Elevation, Outdoor’s Best of the Rockies, and Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice for multiple years running.

AS ALWAYS, SAFETY FIRST

Our guides complete extensive training hours, which exceed industry standards, as they learn how to respond to and anticipate outdoor emergencies. Via Ferrata guides undergo extensive belay and rappel training, are CPR and First-aid certified, and must lead under the supervision of an experienced guide before leading on their own. Additionally, AVA only uses harnesses, lanyards, and carabiners that have been regularly inspected, and guides receive safety training on all equipment. Before beginning a Via Ferrata course, AVA guides will show you the ropes, assist with gear, and answer any and all questions you may have!

THE POWER OF PASSION

Above all else, a passion for Colorado’s outdoors, thrilling adventure experiences, and outstanding guest service inspires AVA to exceed industry standards from inception until today. Not only does AVA prepare our guides to safely lead our Via Ferrata courses, but our guides define who we are, just as much as they define your adventure experience. Guides love what they do and want to share this passion with our guests, striving to deliver the best adventure experiences to you and your family, across every course and climb. We believe that a Via Ferrata adventure with AVA will leave you with a resonating passion for Colorado’s great outdoors and its thrilling adventure opportunities.

YOUR VIA FERRATA TRIP WITH AVA

On both our Mount Evans Via Ferrata and Granite Via Ferrata courses, be prepared to experience the Rocky Mountains from a completely new angle! You will traverse along the cliff face, climbing across ladders, rungs, cables, and bridges to navigate the mountainside. We provide all the gear needed for your trip besides footwear and clothing. You will be fitted with a harness, lanyards with secure clips, gloves, and a helmet. Our specialized two carabiner/ lanyard harness system ensures that you are always connected to the cliff face, as it is impossible to clip out of both carabiners simultaneously.

NO WRONG COURSE: YOUR VIA FERRATA TRIP OPTIONS

We offer two different Via Ferrata trips: our Mount Evans Via Ferrata in Idaho Springs and our Granite Via Ferrata in Buena Vista.

MOUNT EVANS VIA FERRATA, IDAHO SPRINGS

GRANITE VIA FERRATA, BUENA VISTA

MOUNT EVANS VIA FERRATA

Our Mount Evans Via Ferrata is just 30 minutes from Denver and one hour from Breckenridge. Suspend your disbelief as you view Idaho Springs and the Chicago Creek from mountaintop bridges and rappel 70 feet down the cliff face! You will even fly across 3 lines of our zipline course, experiencing the best of both aerial adventures!

GRANITE VIA FERRATA

Our granite course at our Buena Vista outpost is just one hour from Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen and begins with a thrilling zipline to your starting point! You will ascend crags and rappel above the Arkansas River Valley, gaining magnificent views of the 14000+ foot Collegiate Peaks throughout the entire course. This course also includes our newest and most thrilling feature, the Flight Line: a stomach-dropping 78 foot freefall!

woman climbing via ferrata course

woman jumping from flight line

Not sure which trip to choose? Our sales agents are here to answer any questions you might have about our Via Ferrata courses and to help you choose the best trip options for you and your family or group. We take into account your interests and skill levels to make sure you have the most fun possible! Contact us at [email protected], and we’ll get you set up on the perfect trip today!

RAPPEL INTO YOUR ADVENTURE

YOUR MOUNTAIN-TOP PACKING LIST

Via Ferrata trips will run in all despite the weather, except high winds or lightning. Bring a raincoat and wear layers, as Colorado weather can change in the blink of an eye! You may bring a small backpack to carry water or any extra layers, but we recommend phones, wallets and other valuables remain locked in your car. On all of our Via Ferrata trips, closed toed shoes are required, and we recommend that you wear comfortable clothes that will not get in the way of any equipment. Please avoid wearing skirts, short shorts, jeans, and long necklaces, and hair shoulder length or longer should be tied back.

OUR WATCHES ARE SET TO ADVENTURE

Because we want everyone to have the best Via Ferrata experience possible, we ask that you arrive to our outpost 15 minutes before your scheduled trip. If you do arrive late, we will put you on the next available trip. In the case that you cannot make this trip, you will receive a credit worth 85% the total cost of your adventure (valid through the current season). To save time, please sign your liability waiver ahead of time and check your confirmation to make sure you have the correct date, time, and location.

CLIFFSIDE REQUIREMENTS

You do not need to be a rock climber or an alpinist to take on a Via Ferrata adventure, but there are some physical capabilities necessary to traverse the routes. Some sections of our Via Ferratas require that you climb iron rungs, much like a ladder. The adventure can also take up to 3.5 hours, so be sure that you are physically capable to keep moving for that long. Via Ferrata trips have a minimum age requirement of 12, a minimum weight requirement of 50lbs (Mt Evans) and 75lbs (Granite) and a maximum weight limit of 250lbs.

LEAVE NOTHING BUT MEMORIES

After your trip, you will return to our outpost with your guide, where you will return your gear and check out our souvenirs and apparel. You will also be able to see the photos taken of your group during your trip! These may be purchased immediately, allowing you to return home with tales (and snapshots) from your adventure! If you had a great time with your guide, please don’t hesitate to give them some kudos- they also let us know that gratuities are much appreciated. We hope that your adventure with AVA becomes a highlight of your spring or summer, and that we see you again cliffside, or on the water!

NOT READY TO RETURN TO THE GROUND? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER OTHER AERIAL ADVENTURES

CLIFFSIDE ZIPLINE IN IDAHO SPRINGS

Just 30 minutes from Denver, this cliffside zipline course hosts six lines of thrilling aerial adventure! The course includes big drops and scenic zigzags as you work your way down the mountain cliffs, with a dual race line, jungle bridge, and a log cross.

MOUNTAINTOP ZIPLINE IN BUENA VISTA

Travel an hour from Breckenridge or Vail to our mountaintop zipline course. Soar through the trees with stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks mountain range and the Arkansas River Valley and experience such features as a 900-foot dual race line, swinging log bridge, and hanging log staircase!

Via Ferrata Trips & Packages with AVA