{"id":496,"date":"2024-11-06T11:36:27","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T10:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.viaferrata66.fr\/what-is-via-ferrata\/"},"modified":"2024-12-09T11:58:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T10:58:48","slug":"what-is-via-ferrata","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.viaferrata66.fr\/en\/what-is-via-ferrata\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Via Ferrata ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Definition of Via Ferrata<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The “Via Ferrata” is a climbing route in the mountains or on a massif comprising cliffs, fitted with cables fixed to the wall, rungs (bars), rope bridges and footbridges. Designed to offer a dizzying and sometimes acrobatic experience, these routes allow you to progress safely in spectacular rocky environments. <\/strong><\/p>\n

History
<\/h3>\n

The Via Ferrata was born in the Dolomites in Italy during the First World War, between 1914 and 1918, to facilitate the transport of troops and artillery in areas that were difficult to access. This military network allowed soldiers to cross steep walls and secure their positions in the mountains. Over time, these facilities were converted into adventure courses accessible to mountain enthusiasts. Today, the Via Ferrata allow hikers to discover rock faces that were exclusively reserved for seasoned climbers, thus offering an accessible, fun and immersive activity between classic hiking and climbing. In France, the rise of the Via Ferrata began in 1988 with the opening of the first official course in the Freissini\u00e8re valley. This pioneering site was soon followed by that of Vigneaux (which has become the most popular course in France, with around 15,000 visitors per year) and the Aiguillette du Lauzet. Little by little, the craze spread to the Alpine valleys and the Nice hinterland, with the creation of new routes. Today, France has more than 150 Via Ferrata spread across several regions: from Tarentaise to Maurienne, via Bauges, Is\u00e8re, Oisans, the Atlantic, Central and Eastern Pyrenees, the Loire, Auvergne and Corsica. These routes offer outdoor enthusiasts privileged access to the dizzying panoramas of our mountains, while allowing them to explore an environment usually reserved for experienced climbers. <\/p>\n

The Pyrenees Orientals department has 4 Via Ferrata practice sites located in Conflent, Cerdagne, Fenouill\u00e8de and Vallespir with different courses of different levels.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

The different French and international ratings in Via Ferrata<\/h3>\n

F ( = Easy) Introduction to Via Ferrata – A (Shall) – K1 (H\u00fcshler) PD ( = Little Difficulty) Children and beginners B (Shall) – K2 (H\u00fcshler) AD (= Quite Difficult) For beginners with good support – C (Shall) – K3 (H\u00fcshler) D (= Difficult) For experienced people – D (Shall) – K4 (H\u00fcshler) TD (= Very Difficult) Physical for experienced people who already have good arms E (Shall) – K5 (H\u00fcshler) ED (= Extremely Difficult) Very physical for experienced people who have very good arms – F (Shall) – K6 (H\u00fcshler) To refine the ratings of the different Via Ferrata courses, we also use the symbols – and + to give a rating level between two official rating levels. Example: AD- the rating on the length of the course is just below the rating “Quite difficult” without being PD (not very difficult). Conversely, AD+ indicates that the course has passages higher than the rating AD (quite difficult) but cannot be classified as D on its length.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Norme AFNOR: NF EN 16869<\/a><\/h3>\n

Document specifying the design requirements applicable to a via ferrata. It does not apply to acrobatic courses (covered by the NF EN 15567 series of standards) or to trails equipped with aids such as steps, ladders, ramps, chains, cables, ropes. <\/p>\n

The different types of equipment, holds and rope bridges found in Via Ferrata:<\/h3>\n

1 – Lifeline and moorings:<\/h4>\n

Cable (lifeline or handrail) over the entire length fixed by cable clamp on sealed pitons (with or without pigtail) Pigtail piton: allowing the passage of a rope to secure a second roper<\/p>\n

2 – The different types of bars:<\/h4>\n

Hand and foot bar (rung, metal step). Hand bar (ramp, 3 times larger than the previous one – softer to the touch than the previous one) Footrest or pedals (from 10 cm to 12 cm) Handshake (about 12 cm)<\/p>\n

3 – The different crossing bridges:<\/h4>\n

The footbridge: 1 cable above the head and wooden planks under the feet The rope bridge (2 cables): 1 cable above the head and 1 under the feet The rope bridge on beam (1 cable): 1 cable above the head and 1 beam under the feet The Nepalese or Tibetan bridge (3 cables): 2 cables at hand level and 1 under the feet<\/p>\n

4 – Crossing zip line:<\/h4>\n

Cable stretched from one side of a wall to the other, allowing crossing from one side to the other with the help of a suitable cable pulley.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

The difference between Via Ferrata and Climbing?<\/h3>\n

Via ferrata, with their ladders (rungs), steps, zip lines and rope bridges, immerse you in the vertical universe while keeping your feet firmly anchored to the ground thanks to artificial holds! Climbing invites you to caress the rock of our mountains and to rise thanks to impeccable holds and supports, to the point of almost dancing on the rock.<\/p>\n

Who can practice Via Ferrata and at what age?<\/h3>\n

Although most of the courses are free to access, this does not mean that everyone can embark on them without preparation. It is essential to be in good physical condition, because once you start on the course, it is often impossible to turn back. Younger children can discover the Via Ferrata on suitable and accessible routes of level F (easy) or PD (not very difficult) for the little ones and from 12 years old PD (not very difficult) and AD (quite difficult). The minimum age required varies depending on the sites and the level of difficulty of the course. In the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es Orientales there are 2 courses suitable for children from 8 years old F and PD, 3 courses in AD and 2 courses in D.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1730889414796{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Definition of Via Ferrata The “Via Ferrata” is a climbing route in the mountains or on a massif comprising cliffs, fitted with cables fixed to the wall, rungs (bars), rope bridges and footbridges. Designed to offer a dizzying and sometimes acrobatic experience, these routes allow you to progress […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"What is Via Ferrata ?","_seopress_titles_desc":"The Via Ferrata is a course on a massif comprising cliffs, fitted with cables fixed to the walls, rungs, rope bridges and 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