Climb the Via Ferrata

By Mark Honan

Forget the corporate ladder: Climb the Via Ferrata instead (Via Ferrata)

Looking for more than a mountain hike but not the full mountaineering experience? Try a Via Ferrata trail—it's climbing lite. This uniquely European activity involves climbing up a series of rungs that are bolted into the rock face. While you get the real experience of climbing the mountain—using ropes and carabiners to keep you locked in—you won't have to sweat worrying about your next foothold or handhold. Just climb the ladder and enjoy the view. Leysin, a spread-out Alpine resort in the southwest, provides an ideal opportunity to try out this experience. The Via Ferrata course is on the Berneuse Mountain (6,711 feet), where you can also find refreshment at a revolving restaurant.

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