During my last trip in the Royal Gorge region, I was scheduled to go on a trip to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park to see North America’s highest suspension bridge and take a whack at the zip line and sky coaster.
My mother has been begging me to do both of those attractions forever, and my fears have been getting the best of me. In the interest of this recent trip, I decided I would give it a try. Of course, my mother was bummed she wasn’t going to get to go with me.
Luckily for her, the Universe heard her cries because that day, it was too windy to do anything on the side of zip lines, skycoasters, and gondola rides.
So, what is a tour group to do for Plan B when Plan A is blown away by the unpredictable Colorado climates? We do the only other thing that you can do at the Royal Gorge Bridge on a windy day.
Climb the Via Ferrata.
If you don’t know what that is, I’ll explain.
Watch the Video!
Interested in seeing this exciting feat for yourself? To see a quick shot of the Via Ferrata, watch the video below!
What is a Via Ferrata?
In Italian, Via Ferrata means “iron path”.
It is quite literally bent pieces of rebar drilled into the side of the cliff just above the nearly thousand-foot drop down into the Royal Gorge. Each piece of rebar is formed into a step. Climbers/hikers are hooked to a heavy-duty metal cable that follows the steps up the side of the cliff.
Obviously, I’ll try most anything once, and being hooked to a mountain by a cable seemed safe enough.
The Main Requirements for Guided Tours
The Royal Gorge Via Ferrata requires people to be at least 12 years old to climb. It’s ideal to be in good health and able to climb if you decide to make this thrilling trek.
I believe you must be accompanied by a certified mountain guide to help you get up the side of the cliff, and you will need to sign a waiver before you climb.
The guides will coach you on how to properly and safely climb so you get the most out of your journey.
What Should I Bring to Climb the Via Ferrata?
All the gear for your climb is provided by the Royal Gorge mountain guides.
In your gear, you will get:
- Slip-resistance climbing shoes
- A harness
- A backpack to carry items
- A helmet
As I was climbing, and we only climbed the “bunny hill”, I discovered that doing this type of activity for long periods of time can really do a number on your energy and your physical body. Your hands can get messed up really quickly, your skin sunburnt or depending on the weather, you could experience dehydration if you are not prepared.
Some things I recommend bringing are below:
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Gloves for climbing
- Sunglasses
- A jacket (depending on the time of year you are climbing)
- Camera (there will be stopping points where you can get beautiful shots)
What Should I Wear for the Via Ferrata?
Since you are using a lot of body movement while climbing up these ginormous granite rocks, its best to wear something that is comfortable and moveable. You will be fitting yourself into a harness, so keep that in mind as well.
Below are some suggestions:
- Leggings or long pants that are moveable
- Moisture-wicking shirts
- Ball cap (to cover your cute face)
My Thoughts On The Via Ferrata
The Via Ferrata is the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park’s newest attraction, which opened on May 24th. We were lucky enough to be one of the first guided tour groups to take a whack at the simple climb.
As I was squeezing into my harness, I thought, “Huh, all of those wall-climbing gym sessions at Florence Middle School really paid off. Thanks, RE-2 District.”
This “bunny hill”, thanks to my ability to essentially “belay on” was really enjoyable for me and not at all intimidating. But like I said, I will try anything once (as long as it’s not super dangerous).
Tell us about your experience with the Via Ferrata at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park!
