Viva Via Ferrata

Colorado’s newest via ferrata is arguably its best, especially when it comes to safety

Located in the beautiful Uncompahgre Gorge, the brand new Ouray Via Ferrata opened to the public late last month. One of only a dozen or so in the entire country, it is just a five minute drive from downtown Ouray.

For those who don’t know, a via ferrata is a series of rungs in a rock face that you traverse while safely secured with specially constructed harnesses that keep you connected throughout your journey!

The route in Ouray is challenging but not too difficult. Climbers move both vertically and horizontally across the walls of the gorge, sometimes being just feet from the raging waters of Uncompahgre Creek and other times being hundreds of feet in the air. The views of the San Juan mountains are incredible.

Designed to the new ASTM and CEN safety standards, the via ferrata is free to the public, but climbers are required to have appropriate gear - and there will be someone on site to ensure that you do! Gear is available to rent from companies in town. Those same companies also offer guided trips.

Built by The Friends of the Ouray Via Ferrata, a non-profit 501c(3) organization, it was funded entirely through donations.

Visit ourayviaferrata.org for more info.