High Altitude Cappuccino

🗺️ Overview Starting point: Feydey (1400 m), above Leysin Highest point: Approx. 1550 m Total elevation gain: ~150 m Total distance: ~4 km Total time: ~2 h Technical difficulty: K5 (very athletic via ferrata) Download GPS file The via ferrata Planpraz is probably the closest to a village I’ve ever done. It is located just above Leysin . To get there, we left the car in Feydey (1400 m), which can also be reached by train. From there you continue uphill on the road. Where it bends, you can go both ways: on the left around the church or on the right via a shortcut uphill (see GPS). In about 10 minutes, signs indicate a path on the left side of the road. It is the same path leading to La Berneuse at the beginning, but after a couple of minutes you reach a crossroads where the path to La Berneuse goes left and the via ferrata, clearly marked, continues straight uphill.  Another 5–10 minutes on a rather steep path lead to the start of the via ferrata.  The via r...

🗺️ Overview Starting point: Top station of La Videmanette lift (Rougemont, 2150 m) Highest point: Le Rubli summit, 2285 m Total elevation gain: ~150 m Total distance: ~1.4 km (round trip) Total time: ~2h (45 min ascent, 30 min descent, plus breaks) Technical difficulty: Easy ferrata: K2 Medium ferrata: K3 (our route) Difficult ferrata: K5– (steep, vertical sections, but no overhangs) Download GPS file At La Videmanette (2150 m), above Rougemont, there are three via ferrata: a very easy one (K2), a medium one (K3), and a hard one (K5–). The K5 is said to include vertical passages but no overhangs, and is considered doable by experienced climbers. Our plan this time was to take the mid-level one anway. From the lift, the summit of Le Rubli is immediately visible on the left. The approach is very short: just five minutes downhill, where you find a large panel marking the start. The difficult route begins downhill and climbs the rock face on your lef...

🗺️ Overview Location:  Nax, Switzerland Difficulty:  K4 (low K4) Starting point:  1000m End point:  1210m, Nax: 1299m Elevation Gain:  ~220m  Duration:  ~1h30 (2h with return) Key Features:  3 suspended bridges, smooth wall ascent, intermediate exit option, panoramic viewpoint Equipment Required:  Harness, via ferrata set (2 carabiners), helmet, optional short rope for resting Download GPS file The  via ferrata in Nax  is definitely the one I have done the most times. It is rated K4, though on the lower end of that scale. Access and Starting Point If you already have your equipment, you can start directly from the bottom. One of the turns in the road leading up to Nax has a sign and a gravel road where you can park. From here, you're just below the village, and the via ferrata ascends the cliff in front of you. The starting point is at arount  1000m , and a few minutes walk from the road brings you to the panel marking the beg...

🗺️ Overview Starting point:  Passo Giau (2236m), Dolomites, Italy Summit point:  Nuvolau (2574m) Duration:  ~4h30 (including via ferrata descent) Elevation Gain:  ~600m including some ups and downs Best for:  Moderate hikers, via ferrata beginners (optional descent route) Best Time to Visit:  Late spring to early autumn, early start recommended to avoid crowds Download GPS file This stunning hike begins at   Passo Giau (2236m) , a mountain pass between   Selva di Cadore and Cortina d'Ampezzo   in the heart of the Dolomites. Getting there involves a spectacular drive with   29 hairpin bends , reminiscent of the famous   Passo dello Stelvio . From the pass, you’re greeted by the towering   Ra Gusela , an imposing rock pillar that dominates the skyline. Behind it lies   Nuvolau , the summit of this hike. Fortunately, there’s no need to climb Ra Gusela—you’ll take a scenic route around the mountain to reach the peak from...

  🗺️ Overview Location:  Saillon, near Martigny, Switzerland Difficulty Levels:  Three sections with increasing difficulty (K3+, K4+, K6-) Total Duration:  ~4 hours (3 hours if stopping after the second section) Elevation Gain:  Approx. 350m Starting Point:  Bains de Saillon parking Highlights:  Suspended bridge, rope bridges, vertical walls, adventurous gallery Download GPS file Via Ferrata Farinetta  is an exhilarating via ferrata route in Saillon, not far from Martigny. It caters to different skill levels as it is divided into three sections of increasing difficulty. I have completed it twice—once stopping at the second section and the second time completing all three. That last experience made me realize that K5 and above routes are not for me! Getting There I parked at Bains de Saillon, which offers a large parking area, though it requires a 20-minute walk to the start of the route. There are no closer parking options. From there, you must c...