From War Strategy to Recreation: The History of Via Ferratas

EVELYN P HILGEMAN
Outdoor Adventure Programmer

Via ferratas may seem like a modern adventurous pursuit, but their origin dates back to 19th-century Europe. Originally used as a wartime tactic, these iron paths became a way for people to encounter dramatic landscapes without special expertise. Knowing the history behind these remarkable routes makes it all the more special that today, we have one in our Metro Parks.

The first via ferrata ever made was built in the Dachstein Mountains in 1843 by a man named Friedrich Simony. Simony installed iron rungs and cables on the Austrian Alps route that marked the birth of the via ferrata.

In the early 20th century, during World War I, the Dolomites were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In order to aid with traveling through the rough conditions and elevation, permanent lines and ladders were installed so that troops could ascend steep faces with less difficulty. The Italian Army took it a step further and expanded the routes, adding in iron rungs and cables. This allowed supplies and additional troops to move through the mountains more efficiently. Many of these historical routes are still widely climbed today.

In the 1930s, following the first World War, climbers and hikers discovered these paths and began to travel them recreationally. The Via Delle Bocchette, located in the Brenta Dolomites, signifies this recreational transition. This route was the first via ferrata specifically designated for recreational use. It marked the turning point for the idea of doing via ferratas with the purpose of epic adventures and destinations rather than a tool of transportation. This opened up new possibilities for non-technical climbers to encounter high mountain ranges safely.

So how did one come to be in Columbus, Ohio?

After the modern via ferratas expanded through Europe, the first in America was created in Red River Gorge, Kentucky in 2001. It was created by a European team when they were recruited by the family who owned the land. After becoming a success, via ferratas spread all across the United States, with some in surrounding areas, and many out west in states like Colorado. And then, in 2023, Quarry Trails Metro Park opened the first ever urban via ferrata.

Knowing this history makes Quarry Trails’ via ferrata more than just a tourist attraction, it is part of a global story that began nearly two centuries ago. Today our Quarry Trails Metro Park remains part of that legacy, proving that even urban cities can offer adventure.