Via Ferrata

A via ferrata (Italian for "iron way") is a type of mountain climbing route which has a safety system permanently installed, making the climb suitable for persons without prior training and using minimal equipment. The climber is attached at all times to a steel cable which runs along the entire route; no climbing rope is generally required. Steel rungs, ladders, bridges and similar installations are used. This helps to keep the physical difficulty of the climbing well within the ability of reasonably fit first-time climbers, while providing access to high, vertical faces and extreme mountain terrain which would otherwise be accessible only to experienced, roped climbing parties.
Click here to view a Via Ferrata article in Wikipedia.

Via ferrata systems have been popular for decades in Europe, where over 300 routes are open to the public, but are relatively new to North America. Built in 2002, the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata was only the second of its kind to be established in the United States. The route gains hundreds of vertical feet of elevation over half a mile of climbing, leading up to a thrilling, exposed summit with unforgettable views of the Allegheny mountains. Truly West Virginia's wildest outdoor adventure!

“This was my first visit and I have already recommended it to friends and I plan on returning some day as well. There is no climbing wall that compares to the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks. And for someone with no technical climbing background, this was a truly incredible experience and I will not be able to climb the Via just once!”

Chris M. (Bethesda, MD)