Via ferrata Röbischlucht
The time has finally come—our first via ferrata climb following the course at the reservoir in Latschau is on the agenda. We’ve chosen the Röbischlucht via ferrata in Gargellen for this. The route is rated B/C in difficulty, making it perfect for us as beginners or for families with children.
We rented the via ferrata gear from Pure Mountain Equipment at the Schafbergbahn valley station. From there, it’s just a few minutes to the starting point of the via ferrata. But first, we begin with a short hike of about 15 minutes that takes us to the actual start of the via ferrata.
The via ferrata starts off very easy, giving us a chance to review and test what we’ve learned. Especially on our first via ferrata, we’re still a bit nervous since we don’t yet know what to expect. But in high spirits, we finally set off.
After the easy start, the difficulty level gradually increases and the first climbing sections appear. Once you’ve mastered these and warmed up, the actual via ferrata begins. From here on, you climb along the steep wall of the gorge. For beginners—like the two of us—this is already very exciting, because all you can see below you is the raging water of the river flowing through the gorge. Even though you aren’t particularly high above the river, falling is strictly prohibited. However, the via ferrata is easy enough for beginners to climb, and there are only a few difficult spots. The main challenge comes from the wet rock, where it’s sometimes hard to find a good grip. That’s why it’s recommended to wear sturdy shoes with good traction.
One of the highlights of the via ferrata is a small waterfall you come to near the end of the route. Here, you must climb up the rock on metal steps running parallel to the waterfall. After exiting the via ferrata, you still have to hike back to the road for about 25 minutes.
The Röbischlucht via ferrata is a truly beautiful and interesting route, perfect for beginners and families.
