The San Juan Mountains aren’t just for hikers and Jeepers—there’s a growing trend of climbing via ferratas: part hiking route, part vertical thrill ride. If you’ve never heard the term before, here’s a quick breakdown…
A via ferrata (Italian for “iron path”) is a climbing route that uses fixed iron rungs, cables, and ladders anchored to the rock. You’ll wear a harness and special carabiners to clip in and move safely through the course.
Personally, I think via ferratas are an amazing way for non-climbers to experience the thrill of exposure and vertical climbing—without needing full-on rock climbing skills.
Via Ferratas in the San Juan Mountains: Ouray, Telluride & Gold Mountain
The three main via ferrata routes in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains are:
- Ouray Via Ferrata
- Gold Mountain Via Ferrata (also near Ouray)
- Telluride Via Ferrata (sometimes called Krogerata)
Each offers a unique adventure. Here are the highlights of each and why you should check them out:
Ouray Via Ferrata
Located in the heart of the “Switzerland of America,” the Ouray Via Ferrata is the most accessible and well-known of the three. It features stunning box canyon views and two route options: an easier downstream route and a more technical upstream route.
The downstream option is probably the most “beginner-friendly” via ferrata route of everything you will find on this page—not to say the other routes aren’t beginner friendly; but this one has the most limited amount of exposure, minus a few sections.
Highlights:
- Experience the 75 ft Sky Ladder at a 35 degrees angle—a mini-version of the famous Sky Ladder in Austria, without having to travel across seas.
- Traverse through the Uncompahgre Gorge
While I have not personally climbed the upstream route, it’s said to require more advanced climbing skills.
👉 Read my full guide to the Ouray Via Ferrata here.
👉 Book a guide to climb Ouray Via Ferrata here.
Gold Mountain Via Ferrata
Located just outside of Ouray, the Gold Mountain Via Ferrata is the newest and most vertical route of the trio. Unlike Telluride and Ouray, which mostly traverse horizontally across cliffsides, this climb goes up. You’ll gain steady elevation the whole way, which makes for a seriously unique and thrilling experience, while soaking in some breathtaking panoramic views of Ouray.
But don’t let that intimidate you—I’ve climbed this one three times with friends of all levels. Even my non-climber friends tackled the hardest pitch and crushed it!
Highlights:
- Climb the second longest suspension bridge in the US!
- Test yourself on the new hardest via ferrata pitch in the country (optional)
- Explore a century-old mine on the route
👉 Read my full guide to the Gold Mountain Via Ferrata here.
👉 Book a guide to climb Gold Mountain Via Ferrata here (code followtiffsjourney for discount).
Telluride Via Ferrata
An hour from Ouray, the Telluride Via Ferrata offers a dramatic traverse across the cliffs high above town, with a direct view of the iconic Bridal Veil Falls.
If you like a little spice, the main adventure on this one puts hundreds of air beneath your feet, while the rest of the route is more mellow, with hiking segments in between. It’s scenic, thrilling, and very Telluride.
In summer, Bridal Veil Falls roars to life as your backdrop. In fall, the box canyon explodes with golden color.
👉 Read my full guide to the Telluride Via Ferrata here.
👉 Book a guide to climb Telluride Via Ferrata here.
🔍 Compare the 3 Via Ferratas in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains
|
Ouray Via Ferrata |
Gold Mountain Via Ferrata |
Telluride Via Ferrata | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Guide Required? |
optional |
fee required |
optional |
|
Location |
Ouray |
Just outside Ouray |
Telluride |
|
Time Commitment |
2-3 hours |
4-5 hours |
3-4 hours |
|
Notable Features |
Sky Ladder |
Mostly vertical, 2 suspension bridges, old mine, optional difficult “monkey bar” pitch |
Extreme exposure, Bridal Veil Falls views, need car shuttle |
|
Best For |
Beginners, canyon views |
Adventure-seekers, view of Ouray |
People not scared of heights, Photo ops of Telluride |
❓Do I Need a Guide to Climb a Via Ferrata?
In the U.S., many via ferratas are on private land or require permits, which often means you’ll need a guide—or at least pay a usage fee. Having a guide helps mitigate risk and keeps you safer as well.
- Ouray Via Ferrata is free and open to the public. Beginners are welcome, but if you’re new to via ferratas, hiring a local guide is highly recommended.
- Gold Mountain Via Ferrata requires a paid access fee, whether or not you hire a guide (which varies in price). You can rent gear and attend a short safety orientation before going unguided—or book with Basecamp Ouray for the full guided experience.
👉 Pro Tip: Use code “followtiffsjourney” for a discount at Gold Mountain! Book here now. - Telluride Via Ferrata is also free, but it’s not ideal for first-timers to go unguided. The exposed sections are no joke, and a guide can help you stay safe while managing the car shuttle logistics.
Which is the Best Via Ferrata near Ouray, Colorado?
Honestly, it depends on what kind of adventure you’re after.
- Looking for a starter route with incredible scenery? Go with Ouray.
- Want a vertical challenge and big-mountain vibes? Hit Gold Mountain.
- Craving exposure, adrenaline, and dramatic views? Telluride is your trail.
They’re all worth doing—it’s not a “pick one and skip the rest” kind of deal.
What is the difference between Telluride via ferrata and Ouray?
The biggest difference comes down to exposure and technical feel.
- Telluride has far more exposed cliff sections with big air under your feet, especially on the main traverse. It feels more dramatic and thrilling—but also mentally challenging if you’re new to heights.
- Ouray, on the other hand, feels more like an intro to via ferrata. The downstream route is beginner-friendly, with shorter sections of exposure and easier access.
Telluride is a true “cliff walk,” while Ouray offers options for both new adventurers and those looking to level up (via the upstream route).
🏆 What is the Triple Crown Via Ferrata?
The Triple Crown Via Ferrata isn’t an official designation, but it’s become a badge of honor among Colorado adventure seekers. The idea? Complete all three via ferrata routes in the San Juan Mountains:
- Telluride Via Ferrata
- Ouray Via Ferrata
- Gold Mountain Via Ferrata
Doing all three in one trip—or even better, in one weekend—is a bucket-list challenge for those craving adrenaline, exposure, and jaw-dropping alpine views. Each route offers a totally different experience:
- Telluride is exposed and scenic
- Ouray is more beginner-friendly with optional difficulty
- Gold Mountain is the most vertical and remote, climbed on private land with an access fee and often done with a guide, but not strictly guide-required.
Some guiding companies offer custom packages or guided tours to help you tackle the Triple Crown safely and efficiently, often including gear rentals and local beta. The guides at Basecamp Ouray are truly amazing and humble humans and I’d recommend booking with them.
🧳Planning Your Trip to the San Juan Mountains?
🎒 Download my Printable Summer Guide: Best Things to Do in Ouray.
🥾 Check out 3 Best Hikes in Telluride you can’t miss this summer.
⛰️ Looking for more hikes? Explore the best hikes in the San Juan Mountains here.
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Tiff, the owner and author of Follow Tiff’s Journey, is a California/ Colorado-based adventurer and outdoor connoisseur who divides her heart between the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Despite her fear of heights, she’s become a seasoned mountaineer, ultralight hiking and backcountry camping enthusiast, expert road trip planner, and a fervent explorer of alpine lakes, natural hot springs, and sandstone canyons.
With 10 years of experience exploring the outdoors, her blog is your go-to source for all things wilderness, offering invaluable insights and pro tips, essential gear recommendations, and awe-inspiring stories from her adventures.
Join Tiff on her quest to share the wonders of nature and inspire others to follow their own path in the great outdoors.