Via Ferrata in Catalunya
Albert Cortés on the Via Ferrata 'Regina de Peramola' in the gorge of Oliana in Catalunya, northeast Spain. Via Ferrata (the name translates as 'Iron Way') are equipped routes up mountains and rock faces, using iron steps, rungs and chains for progression, and generally feature a thick wire cable to which the climber attaches him/herself for safety. Originating in the Italien Dolomite and Tyrol regions during the early 20th century, there purpose was to enable rapid troop movements over difficult and dangerous terrain. These days, Via Ferrata has become a popular sport, with dozens of high quality routes being established, particularly in the mountain areas of France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. However, the Alpine regions are not the only place where they are found, as this ferrata, near the town of Oliana in the Catalan pre-Pyrenees of northeast Spain shows. There's even one in the Lake District. Ferratas come in varying degrees of difficulty — the easiest being little more than exposed walks with the odd step, or two, on tricky sections, while the harder routes (such as the Oliana VF) follow steep, exposed rock faces, more usually the strict preserve of the accomplished climber, and require specialist equipment, as well as the knowledge of how to use it.
Size: 5250px × 3514px
Location: Oliana, Catalunya, Spain.
Photo credit: © Peter O'Donovan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: Yes
Keywords: adventure, catalunya, climbing, danger, excitement, exposure, extreme, ferrata, fitness, oliana, peramola, spain, sport, steep, vertical
