UPDATE: Via ferrata is currently closed, reopen again on 1st of May (Via Ferrata world) and on 15th of June reopens (Via Ferrata Komín)

Near Kremnica, close to the Skalka ski resort, there is a large via ferrata area. Climbers can admire the beauty of the Kremnica Mountains and enjoy a real sporting experience. The ferrata at Skalka are exceptional and famous especially for their almost 80 m long suspension bridge, which ranks among the longest cable-stayed bridges in Central Europe. Your climbing skills will also be tested by the unique rope net with a depth of 37 metres. During the climb, you are guaranteed beautiful views of the mountains of Veľká Fatra and the surrounding Kremnica Mountains. The routes are divided according to difficulty, and it is up to each climber to consider his/her abilities and experience. Both beginners and professional climbers in training are guaranteed to come into their own. There is a possibility to rent a ferrata set in the Skalka area.

Visitors will find 2 areas: the Ferrata Komín and the Via Ferrata World.

VIA FERRATA KOMÍN offers 5 ferrata routes:

• Jánošík’s hole – the difficulty according to Schall’s scale is A/B, the length is 30 m and the elevation is 5 m. The number of crampons to climb and its small length and elevation are perfect for trying out ferrata equipment and for children.
• Descending slope – difficulty A/B, elevation 70 m, length 150 m,. It is used for descending under the Ferrata, there is also a rope bridge.
• Bugler’s Tower – light B. The beginning is shared with the Chimney. After a while the route leads to the right to the tower with the cross. There is a rope bridge before the end.
• Chimney – moderate ferrata C. It has several variations such as the 8 m long Chimney branch. Total elevation is 85 m and length 110 m.
• Challenge – so far, the most difficult ferrata in Slovakia with difficulty E. Extremely difficult ferrata with an elevation of 60 m and a length of 70 m. The overhang is 4 m. It is intended only for experienced ferrata practitioners.

VIA FERRATA WORLD consists of the following routes:

• Exercise via ferrata – difficulty „B“ , length 15 m. It is designed for training and handling via ferrata equipment. It ends at the iconic tree, which did not give up even in difficult conditions on Skalka.
• Via ferrata TRAVERZ – difficulty „B“, length 100 m. It is the main one-way via ferrata, which traverses the rock massif between the slopes. It is interconnected by several experiential elements such as bird’s nests, a beam, a pendulum, bridges and a DNA ladder. Visitors can leave the traverse at several exit points.
• HREBEŇOVÁ via ferrata – difficulty „B“, length 30 m. It runs along a significant ridge and in its middle it crosses with Via ferrata TRAVERZ.
• VIA COMMO – difficulty „C“ , length 110 m. Via ferrata traverses a belt of rocks in the left part leads by a wooden bridge along the maple tree in the notch of the rocks, then over the top rock wall and ascends to the rock tower at the rope bridge with a length of 32 m and a maximum height of 35 m, which ends on the rock massif with a glass-enclosed viewing rope, from which there are magnificent views of Skalka, Krížna and Turiec.
• Via ferrata F-ÚHA – difficulty „F“, length 45 m, overhang 11 m. The most difficult ferrata route in Slovakia, which we recommend only to experienced climbers. Beware it is extremely difficult! In the true sense of the word, it is a climbing route of UIAA difficulty 7+ belayed with a via ferrata rope. It is intended for climbers who are obliged to master the above difficulty level.
• The Via Ferrata World also includes the Via Ferrata MALÁ VÝZVA E-JHA – difficulty „E“ , length 16 m, overhang 3 m.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

• Climbing via ferrata is always at your own risk.
• A ferrata set is a must for getting on the ferrata.
• Entrance to the ferrata trails is free of charge.
• From November to June, all routes are closed for nature conservation and safety reasons.

For more information and updates, click here.