Ferratas in Málaga
Challenging, fun and even life-changing, Via Ferrata are routes on rock faces protected by a mixture of fixed cables, chains, staples, ladders, rope bridges and zip lines, to which the climber is always attached by at least one piece of personal protection. They became popular after many were put up in the Dolomites during WWI to help military units access hard to reach terrain, and are a great way to safely access spots normally reserved for more experienced climbers.
Open to anyone with a sense of adventure, Via Ferrata have jump-started the career of many a climber and mountaineer. You don’t need any special skills or climbing experience to do a Via Ferrata (though you do need some specialised safety equipment), and they’re a great way to get your first experience of real climbing whilst in a very safe environment.
Routes are graded according to climbing difficulty and seriousness, and range from grade 1 for complete novices (little climbing, short, lots of escape routes and little exposure), to grade 5 for more experienced climbers (technical climbing moves, a high level of strength and fitness required, long, dizzying exposures, few/no escape routes).
Most Requested Via Ferratas
Not to be confused with the nearby “el Caminito de Rey”, this Via Ferrata was opened in May of 2017. Whereas “el Caminito” is basically just a suspended walkway that you now have to pay to access, the Via Ferrata is a fun-filled and thrilling adventure, with a “Tibetan bridge”, a “Monkey bridge” and a zip line all adding to the fun and sense of excitement.
The Via Ferrata is of medium difficulty so is suitable for anybody with a decent level of fitness that wishes to challenge themselves. At the end of the route you can either walk down or abseil/rappel (under the careful guidance of Luis) if you prefer to “live dangerously”.
- Grade: K2-K3
- Time: 3 hours
The “Sierra del Torcal” is a small limestone mountain range that separates the cities of Antequera and Malaga and gives us 3 amazing zones of Via Ferrata to play in. The eroded limestone forms some incredible “karst” formations that have to be seen to be believed, and the equally incredible Via Ferrata are made up of cables, iron steps, chains and even zip lines.
The climbing is challenging but accessible to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness, and the panoramic views from the summit of El Camorro are unbelievable!
- Grade: K4-K3
- Time: 5/6 hours
Just outside Comares, the highest village in the Axarquia region, is an area with three Via Ferrata routes, and lots of excellent climbing and hiking. The area is North-facing, so is an ideal place to stay cool and have fun on hot summer days.
The routes, while lots of fun, are only moderately difficult so are ideal for beginners and children, and the Via Ferrata can be combined with other activities such as some easy climbing, hiking or a spin on the zip line for a perfect day out!
Average time to do the routes and zip line is 3 hours, with a short descent.
- Grade: K1-K2-K3
- Time: 3 hours