Adventures on Austrian Via Ferratas

Although the original plan was clear – a week-long group vacation with six to eight participants, meaning us and a few friends, a rented cabin, climbing via ferratas during the day and barbecuing in the evening, everything turned out completely differently. We never imagined that coordinating the schedules of more than three people would be such a problem. After long attempts to arrange it, we finally gave up and left as a group of three adventurers and a dog. :)

We chose a suitable date for us, from Thursday to Sunday, and started looking forward to it. We ordered missing equipment in advance, including helmets, and started diligently practicing climbing technique on the wall (not that we hadn't been going there before, but now there was more motivation). However, the weather was not on our side. As our dream weekend approached, the forecast was more than unfavorable – it was supposed to rain the entire time in the area where we had booked accommodation. We kept a close eye on the weather, and in the end, we decided to postpone our departure by one day, as meteorologists gave us a slight hope that the weather would gradually improve from Saturday.

On the way, we stopped at several via ferratas to introduce Marian to the rules of via ferrata climbing. The first ascent took place in the town of Mödling, or rather on the rock above it. The route was simple and just long enough for a first introduction. I walked with our Tobi along the path around it and waited for the climbers at the top. The route also included a small crossing over a rope ladder, which both handled with ease.

We had a bit of trouble finding the second via ferrata. We moved to the picturesque wine town of Gumpoldskirchen located a short distance from Vienna, left the car in the parking lot, and after a short wander, we found a small rock with a cave. We climbed the circuit for practice and everyone was satisfied – we enjoyed the beautiful views of the vineyards and the pleasant weather, while our dog friend rested undisturbed in the shade under the via ferrata.

We had to leave the third planned via ferrata for the return trip due to time constraints and head towards our accommodation. We stayed on the ground floor of a small house on the edge of the town of Schladming. However, the guys were still full of energy and eager for more climbing, so they packed up and went to the other side of the hill to conquer one more evening via ferrata. They were alone on the rock, so they really enjoyed it without having to worry about anyone else. The evening was then spent preparing dinner and planning the next day, which mainly involved browsing various meteorological web portals. However, they differed significantly in their forecasts, so we finally agreed that we would leave the decision until the morning.

The second day was still rainy, but we were given hope by a forecast that reported it should be dry in Gosau until 3 PM. That was our chance! Above Lake Gosausee, there is said to be one of the most beautiful via ferratas. So we packed our things and set off. The journey was long, but it was worth it – it really wasn't raining at the lake. Beautiful high rocks were reflected in the calm surface, and we eagerly put on our gear to set off as soon as possible. The rock was wet, but because a few via ferrata climbers had already gone before us, the footholds were already relatively dry.

The first part led just above the water, in places we could almost touch the surface, followed by a climb up a ladder above the path. But the most mentally demanding section awaited us on the rope bridge. It was a real challenge, but we all eventually crossed the bridge. Then just a short climb to the highest point of the via ferrata and slowly back down. As a reward, we had hot soup by the lake.

The next via ferrata was waiting for us just a few kilometers away, so we set off immediately. Upon arriving under the rock, it was clear that its location in the forest, among trees and moss, did not help it dry out. I didn't like it much, after all, you shouldn't go on wet via ferratas. But after probing the situation, Roman found that only the initial part of the route was wet and the rest was better. I didn't think so, but the guys were in the majority, so I had no choice but to go.

On Sunday, the third day of our stay, the weather forecast was perhaps the worst of all. So we had no choice but to look for where the weather would be more pleasant. The only place where they reported clear skies, sun, and warmth was in the vicinity of Villach. It was a bit out of the way (specifically 150 km away), but it was still a better option than sitting in the room. This time we took Tobi with us, after all, we weren't sure when we would return.

The guys went on the first via ferrata alone. It was a bit of a problem to find it, but in the end, they were successful. Unfortunately, the route was really demanding, so they had to return in their own footsteps. Meanwhile, I hiked up the hill with Tobi and our panda along a forest path. It was quite warm, and there was no water source nearby where we could cool off. But fortunately, a tiny stream flowed next to the path, creating several puddles and mud. Tobi, however, evaluated this as a perfect opportunity to cool off, and before I could turn around, he was already wallowing in the mud. At least he cooled down a bit, and by the time we walked down, most of the mud on him had dried and fallen off.

Our second stop was a rugged via ferrata above Lake Ossiacher See. Again, we chose the same tactic – me with Tobi and the guys on the rock. They chose a simpler via ferrata route; after all, we were already tired and didn't want to take unnecessary risks. At the end of the route, there was another rope bridge, but this time it wasn't passable – the ropes were very loose and the bridge was swaying quite significantly. So that I could climb too, Marian and I did a second round, this time a different route, so that I could at least try something that day.

After returning to our accommodation, the last evening and planning the return home awaited us. In the local information center, we found out that not far from us there is an attraction called ZipLine. It is actually a 2.5 km long rope slide with the possibility of reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h. We couldn't miss that, so we agreed to go to a simple via ferrata and then take a ride on the zip line.

After packing all our things, we set off to the same place where the guys were climbing alone on the first evening. We chose a very simple route, and we were surprised at how easy it was.

After moving to the ZipLine, our humor faded a bit. After all, we were facing a quite fast ride just in a harness at a height of up to 116 meters from the ground. A bus took us to the upper station, the staff strapped us into the harnesses, and we were off. The ride lasted two minutes in the first section and one minute in the second. The first section was nice, relaxed; we could admire nature and enjoy flying over the trees. The second section was shorter but faster. Its first part led very steeply downwards, giving one a feeling of free fall. Simply a life experience, but one that I personally don't need to repeat.

Then only a long car ride home awaited us. We were quite hungry, so we were looking for an open restaurant where we could eat. But somehow it didn't occur to us that most restaurants in Austria are closed on Mondays. After several unsuccessful attempts, just before the border near Mikulov, we managed to find an open restaurant where we had our long-awaited lunch at 5:30 PM, which concluded our little adventure on the Austrian via ferratas.