Kandersteg Via Ferrata (Switzerland)

Kandersteg-Allmenalp via ferrata is an epic in the West of Switzerland. Graded at a K4 it offers exposure, overhangs, bridges, and Tryolienne traverse (for more grading info check out Alpine Trek's post). You have 350m of epic journeying up rocks, across bridges and super exposure adding to the drama of the setting, with epic views.

Getting there

The easiest way of reaching Kandersteg is by driving, it is located 1hr South of Bern, with the biggest town nearby called Sion. The drive here is on beautiful quaint country roads to the ski lift where there is plenty of parking at a reasonable price (5 EUR) (you can see the car park in the middle right of the picture above). On your way in you'll likely see plenty of paragliders above your head or prepping to land in the field next to you. At an elevation of 1,265m you have 350m of vertical rock looking at you. From the car park, cross some farmland to the large restaurant/farm building and follow the track towards the rock, it is an obvious path through the trees, keep following this and you'll come to the base of the via ferrata with a nice bench to kit up on. The walk-in takes around 15-20 minutes.

Via Ferrata

The via ferrata starts with some vertical climbing at the start but generally on pegs, nothing that is too difficult, but super enjoyable (you can see the start in the photo on the right). Despite the via ferrata starting off easily, it is a great warm-up for what is to come. The first third (ish) is split by the epic suspended bridge, giving you fantastic views and photo opportunities!! Get a better shot than the one below. Following the first bridge, you have a short walk to the most famous part of this via ferrata - the 180-degree ladder.

Just take a look at that ladder!! How epic is it?! It is harder than you think and just feels

weird but equally epic, enjoy it while it lasts!

This ladder is the beginning of the harder section which is super enjoyable, you tend to be more exposed, with more pulling, and increasingly tentative terrain, on your toes hopping between the pegs. It is super fun but more vigilant but still very doable. As you go up you have a super cool Tyrolienne traverse to pull yourself across the next bridge. Often a really easy way of getting past the ques if you have started a little later. You can see the photos below.

AND if you want more there are a further two more Tyrolienne traverses!! Make sure you take the extra kit you need.

Decent

The decent is a super simple 20 min walk further up the mountain to the ski lift which you jump on and pay for at the bottom. Again enjoy the views.

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I hope this has given you an insight into this via ferrata in Switzerland and maybe other via ferrata's around the world. It is a start into mountaineering, a start into climbing, but in somewhat more safety than either in isolation if you were to do them to extreme levels. If you want to know anything via ferrata then get in contact, I'll hopefully have more routes coming out when I get around to them. Likewise if there is anything you would like to see then get in contact! Below are a few examples of the kind of kit required.

Kit List

Harness

Gloves (leather palmed)

Helmet

Via Ferrata kit

Pulley (if doing the Tyrolienne traverse)

Sling or lanyard (if doing the Tyrolienne traverse or want a rest)