Cover Photo Provided By: Jon Miller
Looming over the Box Canyon’s east end lies the Telluride Via Ferrata. It’s a course of iron and rock set into the mountains about 20 years ago. To locals, the Telluride Via Ferrata is a labor of love, installed by Chuck Kroger, a legendary climber and community member, and maintained by the Telluride Mountain Club every year once the snow and ice thaws. For locals and tourists alike, it’s a beautiful way to experience the outdoors and Telluride, a small mountain town nestled under the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado.
What is the Telluride Via Ferrata?
Via Ferrata means “iron way” in Italian, which lends itself to the iron cables and footholds that guide the Telluride Via Ferrata, also known as the Kroger Via Ferrata, suspended 600 feet over the Valley Floor.
This via ferrata is a high-consequence climbing and hiking traverse with significant cliff exposure and narrow ledges that require proper equipment. Jagged Edge Mountain Gear recommends hiring a local guide to minimize risk, injury, and rescue. If you’re an experienced climber, Jagged Edge has all the gear you need for the Telluride and Ouray Via Ferratas.
When prepared, the Telluride Via Ferrata offers an unforgettable experience under the San Juan Mountains with views of the mountains, valley, town, and Bridal Veil Falls cascading above the canyon.
Photo Provided By: Bryce James
When is the best time to do the Kroger Via Ferrata?
The best time to experience the via ferrata is spring, summer, and fall, from June to October. Imagine traversing above the valley as the Aspens paint the landscape in golden hour hues.
Before embarking, check the weather forecast because the region’s weather is variable, and the route is exposed to snow conditions, snow melt, rockfall, and afternoon storms, depending on the time of year. You do not want to venture out on the via ferrata during the winter, nor do you want to risk it when there is rain in the forecast.
Photo Provided By: Telluride Mountain Club
Where is the via ferrata in Telluride?
At the east end of town lies Telluride’s Via Ferrata below Ajax Peak on the south-facing wall and near Bridal Veil Falls.
How do you get to the Telluride Via Ferrata?
If you have transportation, you can either drive to the Bridal Veil Falls trailhead and parking lot and hike about a mile up the switchbacks to the east starting point. If you have two cars, you can also drive up the Bridal Veil Falls road and begin from there.
Are you on foot? No problem if you are prepared for an adventure in the San Juans! You can walk the road to the Bridal Veil Falls trailhead from town on the River Trail. If you start from Jagged Edge Mountain Gear, it is about three miles from the start of the Telluride Via Ferrata.
You can also find directions from any of these locations on Google Maps linked below:
Photo Provided By: Bryce James
What do you need for the via ferrata in Telluride?
The gear you need for the Telluride Via Ferrata is a harness, helmet, hiking shoes, at least three locking carabiners, and a via ferrata lanyard. What is a via ferrata lanyard? It’s a climbing lanyard that includes an energy absorber, two arms that connect to the cables via a carabiner, and a connection to the harness.
A common question at Jagged Edge Mountain Gear is: “Can we buy daisy chains or static webbing for the via?” Our answer is always no. Although daisy chains are more affordable than via ferrata-specific lanyards, they are by far the least safe option.
Why are daisy chains not reliable for via ferratas? “Daisy chains are designed for aid climbing only and to support body weight only,” according to Black Diamond. “When aid climbing properly, the rope is ALWAYS in the system, and in the event of a fall, the energy absorbing capacity of the rope is used…Worse-case scenario under a severe-impact load, a daisy can snap. Best-case scenario under a severe-impact load, you’ll snap your back.”
Other essential gear to add to your pack: food, water, rain jacket, headlamp, first-aid, and sun protection.
Photo Credit: Jon Miller
FAQ
Which direction should you go on the Telluride Via Ferrata?
Most people go from east to west, making this the safest direction for everyone to enjoy and experience the via ferrata.
How difficult is the Telluride Via Ferrata?
While the Telluride Via Ferrata is not extremely strenuous, it is exposed, set high into the rock face, and technical in areas.
How long does the Telluride Via Ferrata take to complete?
Depending on how you approach the via ferrata, the Telluride Via Ferrata takes anywhere from four to six hours.
Is the Telluride Via Ferrata free?
The via ferrata in Telluride is free, but Telluride Mountain Club's Via Ferrata Sustainability Fund accepts donations to protect its future and preserve its free public access.
What is the Telluride Via Ferrata like?
The Telluride Via Ferrata is a little over two miles long with a route that includes sections of hiking single track and traversing via cables and lanyards. The Main Event features metal rungs etched into the rock, suspended over 200 feet off the ground.
Does anyone in Telluride rent via ferrata equipment?
Nowhere in town rents via ferrata gear. The closest place to rent is in Ouray, but Jagged Edge Mountain Gear sells lanyards, helmets, gloves, dynamic rope, and carabiners.
Is the Telluride Via Ferrata safe for children?
When deciding whether the Telluride Via Ferrata is safe for your children, approach it as a rollercoaster ride with height and weight requirements. We do not recommend that anyone below 90 pounds attempt the traverse. Additionally, height is important to consider because the via ferrata requires adventurers to be able to reach holds, especially along the Main Event.
Ouray Via Ferrata has more guidelines and best practices to follow that we also recommend for the Telluride Via Ferrata. Children should never be unsupervised, and if you decide to bring kids, then that is a risk and responsibility that you are assuming.
Telluride Via Ferrata Resources
Telluride Mountain Club Via Ferrata Sustainability Fund
Guide Services
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