Colorado Via Ferrata
Thrilling & Very Active

Mount Blue Sky, Colorado Via Ferrata

Get your heart racing on one of Colorado’s most unique aerial adventures. Our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata takes you high above Chicago Creek on a guided cliffside climbing experience built directly into the rugged mountains surrounding historic Idaho Springs. Clipped into a continuous safety system, you’ll traverse exposed rock faces, cross suspended bridges, and navigate a series of exciting features while taking in sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains below.

Throughout the adventure, you’ll move across dramatic granite cliffs overlooking the canyon and downtown Idaho Springs, experiencing terrain typically reserved for technical climbers. Combining hiking, climbing, and aerial elements, the Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata delivers an unforgettable mountain adventure just 30 minutes from Denver.

The Highlights Of Your Trip

The Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata offers a unique way to experience Colorado’s rugged mountain terrain without needing prior climbing experience. Using a combination of steel cables, iron rungs, ladders, bridges, and cliffside traverses, guests safely navigate steep rock faces high above Chicago Creek and the historic mining town of Idaho Springs.

Built directly into the mountainside, the course provides incredible views of surrounding peaks, forested slopes, and the canyon below. Along the route, you’ll encounter a variety of challenges that combine the excitement of climbing with the accessibility of a guided adventure. For those looking to experience the Rockies from a completely different perspective, the Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata is one of the most memorable outdoor adventures near Denver.

Minimum age: 12, minimum weight: 50 lbs., maximum weight: 250 lbs.

Book this trip

1

How much

Pricing

From $129

Ages 12+

2

What's included

Activities

  • Rock Climbing
  • Via Ferrata
3

Trip Length

Duration

Half Day

4

How Hard

Difficulty

Thrilling & Very Active
5

Who can go

Minimum Age

12 years old & Up

What an AVA MOUNT BLUE SKY VIA FERRATA looks like

Trip Highlights

A. What to Expect

  • An up to 3 hour climbing tour that takes you into the cliffside of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains
  • The opportunity to try out a unique climbing experience with a focus on features built into the natural mountainside
  • Climbing course includes iron rungs, bars, and cables used to clip in and out along the course
  • Soar on several lines from our zipline course, as well as rappel down the cliff face
  • A 50 foot controlled freefall!
  • Stunning views of the Colorado Rockies and historic Idaho Springs the entire way

B. Trip Itinerary

  • Meet your guide and prepare for your adventure at our Idaho Springs outpost.
  • Enjoy a brief ride in our truck to the starting point of your climb
  • Soar through the air on multiple lines along our zipline course.
  • Conquer the mountainside as you ascend crags and traverse across iron rungs and other features
  • Return to the outpost and review the photos captured during your trip.

C. Who will love this trip?

  • Adrenaline seekers looking to maximize thrills on their adventure
  • Climbing enthusiasts eager to delve into a unique variation of the sport.
  • Colorado first-timers and locals alike hoping to view the Rocky Mountains from a unique vantage point
  • Families with children aged 12 and above
  • Groups looking for an adventure within a short drive of Denver, Colorado

What to expect

On Your Via Ferrata Adventure

AVA Guide on a rock climbing adventure.

Mile High Excitement

Embark on a Via Ferrata adventure, offering a thrilling exploration of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Traverse high above Idaho Springs along the mountainside in this assisted climbing experience. Throughout your ascent, you’ll rely on a secure cable system, providing continuous support as you clip in and out along the cliffside route.

During the climb, you will get your heartrate up, as you utilize iron rungs, bars, and other features integrated into the cliffside to navigate your way along and across the terrain. You will also have the opportunity to fly on several ziplines and rush down the cliffside in an exciting rappel and a free-fall.

Colorado mountains in summer

Stunning Scenery

As you traverse along the rugged cliffside, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the majestic Rocky Mountains, including the iconic peak of Mount Blue Sky. Gaze in awe at the sprawling landscapes below, including the Chicago Creek and the forests that blanket the mountainside. You’ll also be treated to views of historic Idaho Springs, the location of the first gold discovery in Colorado!

Climber on a Via Ferrata rope ladder.

Private Via Ferrata Tour (1–8 Guests)

Just Added – Your Own Private Climb, Your Own Guide, Your Own Adventure

Now offering Private Via Ferrata Tours—a one-of-a-kind climbing experience tailored exclusively for your group of 1 to 8 guests. With your own professional guide, you’ll scale the cliffside on a route built for both safety and excitement, all at your own pace and comfort level.

Perfect for families, friends, or small groups seeking a more intimate and customized mountain adventure. Whether you’re new to climbing or a seasoned thrill-seeker, this private tour offers stunning views, hands-on guidance, and the freedom to focus on your group’s experience without the crowd.

Reserve your adventure by booking just 1 ticket of the Private Tour for your entire group.

woman on ziplining course

Included Gear & Packing List

All of your gear will be provided for your Via Ferrata excursion. This includes:

  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Gloves

WHAT TO BRING

  • Closed toed shoes that will stay securely on your feet
  • Longer shorts or pants that will fit with your harness
  • Please avoid scarves or dangly jewelry
Man on a Via Ferrata course.

Continue the Adventure

Whether you’re visiting our Idaho Springs outpost for a day trip from Denver or staying for longer, there’s plenty to do before or after your adventure

  • Refuel at one of the area’s restaurants or breweries. We like Beau Jo’s pizza or Tommyknocker Brewery
  • Explore the area’s mining history with a tour at Argo Mill and Tunnel or Phoenix Gold Mine
  • Continue your outdoor adventure with a visit to St. Mary’s Glacier, Mount Blue Sky, or one of the area’s other hiking trails
  • Visit Denver, just a short 25 minutes away, and explore the best of Colorado’s largest city.

Trip Location

Group of people on a rustic bridge.

Idaho Springs

431 Chicago Creek Road
Idaho Springs, CO 80452

Our Idaho Springs outpost offers beginner to advanced levels of whitewater rafting on whitewater rafting on Clear Creek, soar among the treetops on our Cliffside Zipline, or try our  Via Ferrata course for an introduction to mountaineering.  Enjoy an afternoon in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and catch some incredible sights of historic Idaho Springs- the location of Colorado’s first gold discovery!

Our Idaho Springs outpost is conveniently located near Denver, just 30 minutes west of downtown on I-70, and less than an hour from Summit County.

FAQs

The Via Ferrata offers an exhilarating and physically demanding adventure, incorporating activities such as hiking, traversing, mountaineering, rappelling, ziplining, and navigating cable bridges. Participants are advised to be physically active, possessing upper body strength, balance, and endurance to make the most of the experience. Previous climbing experience is not required, and anyone with a moderate level of fitness and a spirit for adventure will have a blast.

You can feel confident in the safety of our Via Ferrata courses, as they adhere to strict safety standards. Throughout the experience, participants are securely fastened to the cliffside using a harness and a dependable 2-cable system. As you progress along the course, you’ll clip in and out of these cables, maintaining continuous connection to the cliffside. It’s important to note that the design prevents simultaneous unclipping from both cables, ensuring an extra level of safety throughout your adventure.

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