Hey adventure seekers! Tiff here, back with another thrilling via ferrata experience to share with you all. This time, we’re diving into the heart-pounding Telluride Via Ferrata, which I tackled on Oct 1, 2024, with my trusty adventure buddy, Josh. If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’ve already tackled the Ouray and Gold Mountain via ferratas, but let me tell you— Telluride takes it to a whole new level!
What is a Via Ferrata
To start with, you might be wondering what a via ferrata even is. The term via ferrata translates to “iron path” in Italian. It’s a climbing route that features metal/ iron rungs, cables, and sometimes ladders to help adventurers traverse steep rock faces. While it shares similarities with rock climbing, it’s a distinct activity of its own.
Some argue whether via ferratas are hikes or climbs—I think Telluride’s route is a perfect blend of both. You’ll be walking at times and fully clipped in at others, making it a dynamic and exhilarating experience.
A quick lesson in using your gear: Your two carabiners should always be clipped into the cable or iron rungs. When moving to the next section, unclip only one at a time to ensure you’re always attached. There’s also an extra safety carabiner for rest breaks—perfect for when you’re waiting on your adventure partner to snap that epic photo.
While this may sound intimidating for people with no climbing experience, I personally feel like it’s a good activity for those who want to experience the thrills of climbing in variations and all levels could do this (you can also just hire a guide here if you are completely new and nervous to go on your own).
The Telluride Via Ferrata Experience
Picture this: you’re suspended 500 feet above the ground (though it feels like a whole lot more!), clinging to metal rungs bolted into a sheer cliff face, with the stunning San Juan Mountains as your backdrop and the breathtaking sight of Bridal Veil Falls in the distance. That’s the Telluride Via Ferrata for you — an adrenaline junkie’s dream come true!
It may be one of the most picturesque and unique adventures in the area, but it will also test your fear of heights. While much of the route follows a ledge, there are sections—like the infamous “Main Event”—that will get your adrenaline pumping. As someone scared of heights, most of the route wasn’t scary, but I almost chickened out from the main event once I got there.
Fun Fact: It took a long time for my friend to convince me to do this via ferrata—I knew what the exposure looked like and after getting a little taste of it on Gold Mountain Via Ferrata, I’ve been hesitant to want even more air beneath my feet. Looking back, it was so much fun and I’d do it again, anxiety and everything!
Pro Tip: The route stays shaded in the morning, making early fall an ideal time to go.
What Makes Telluride Via Ferrata Unique?
Alright, let’s talk about what sets Telluride apart from other via ferratas. First off, the views are absolutely jaw-dropping. You’re literally hanging off the side of a cliff with panoramic vistas of the San Juan Mountains that’ll make your Instagram followers green with envy.
If you time your visit right with the changing fall colors, it’s just as breathtaking and a sea of gold.
And let’s not forget about Bridal Veil Falls – that 365-foot cascade adds a whole new level of drama to your adventure. If you do time your visit with the fall colors, the waterfall likely will not be flowing too strong by later in the season. However, if you go in the summer, you should witness the big flow. Regardless of when you go, summer and fall both offer unique and spectacular views.
But it’s not just about the scenery. The Telluride Via Ferrata throws some unique challenges your way. You’ve got sections where you’re traversing without being clipped in (don’t worry, while there’s danger is everything outdoors, it’s not as scary as it sounds), and then there’s the infamous “Main Event” —a section of iron rungs hanging over a massive drop—that’ll test your nerves.
The Stats
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s break down some quick facts:
- Elevation Gain: 859 feet
- Max Elevation: 10,094 feet
- Difficulty: Experts Only (but don’t let that scare you off!)
- Time: 4-5+ hours
- Best Time to Go: Late May through October
Getting There and Gearing Up
Getting to the Trailhead & Parking
Telluride is truly a box canyon and this via ferrata is located at the end of the the canyon. The adventure begins near the base of Bridal Veil Falls, that jaw-dropping 365-foot waterfall you can spot at the east end of Telluride.
Telluride Via Ferrata route runs east to west so it begins at Ingram Creek (closer to Bridal Veil Falls) and finishes at Marshall Creek (closer to town).
Ideally, you will have two cars in your party so you can drop one off at the finish point and have a ride back to your starting point.
Josh and I drove separately so we could arrange a car shuttle. Well, we did this backwards so learn from our mistake. This via ferrata route is one way and we didn’t realize when we dropped off one car at the top and got to the lower trailhead that we had it backwards. So, we had to do the car shuttle again and the road to the upper (east) trailhead where you begin is a bit rough. A high clearance, 4wd vehicle helps and my Bronco Sport did decently good with just one big challenge and a small bang on the bottom. It’s about a 1.5-mile drive between the trailhead and exit point. In short, leave one car at the lower trailhead, jump into the other car to the upper trailhead and start there.
The start is at the end of the switchback right after the upper parking pull-off area for Bridal Veil Falls so if you climb this in the summer, consider stopping by the waterfall (very short hike) after to cool off.
Once we parked, we chose to put on our via ferrata gear at the car instead of the iron rungs which includes: helmet, harness, via ferrata lanyard, gloves, approach shoes, and of course our personal packs.
What to Pack
Proper gear can make or break your via ferrata experience. Here’s what you need to bring:
- Via ferrata kit (harness, helmet, lanyards with carabiners)
- Sturdy hiking shoes (approach shoes recommended for better grip)
- Gloves (trust me, your hands will thank you—anything with good grip will do)
- Water (stay hydrated, people!)
- Snacks (because hangry climbers are not happy climbers)
- Camera (for those epic shots, duh!)
- Sunscreen and sunglasses (that mountain sun is no joke)
- Layers (because weather changes quickly in the mountains)
The Mental Game
Let’s get real for a second – the Telluride Via Ferrata isn’t just a physical challenge. It’s a mental one too. There’ll be moments when you’re looking down at a 500-foot drop, and your brain might start freaking out a little. That’s totally normal! The key is to breathe, focus on your next move, and trust your gear. Remember, you’ve got this!
Telluride Via Ferrata Route Description
Hiking to the Telluride Via Ferrata Iron Rungs
Unlike the other local (ish) via ferratas in Ouray, the Telluride via ferrata is a bit simpler in movement. I mean, there are no ladders or bridges you need to cross—just standard iron rungs and cables to clip in while you traverse with some air beneath your feet. But I assure you, it’s an exciting route nonetheless that will get your heart racing.
The route starts with a short 6 min hike approach to access the iron rungs. Once you leave the car, you’ll see the horizontal path in front of you, cross a tiny bridge, head up a steep path (keep an eye out for it as it’s not always the clearest from what I remember), all along the cliff edge.
At first, you’re not attached to anything, which definitely gets your heart racing. While the path is wide enough for you to walk in a single-file line just fine, remember, you’re still on the cliff edge.
But soon enough, you’ll clip into your first cable, and that’s when the real fun begins. It remains mellow for awhile with easy, flat walks but after a few bends, the exposure arrives.
Conquering the Iron Road
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff! The Telluride Via Ferrata is no walk in the park but a fun adventure— it’s a 2B on the Italian Via Ferrata Rating Scale, which means it’s moderately difficult with some serious exposure. But trust me, the challenge is what makes it so rewarding!
As I mentioned, this via ferrata route does not have any ladders and traverses horizontally on a cliff side the entire way, with just a tiny bit of ups and downs. But the most ups and downs you will get is the hike up and down to the iron rungs when you are not clipped in.
As you start clipping in, the route seems chill, but the main even comes up fairly quickly. After the main event, the route continues traversing and while there are littles bits of excitement here and there, it will all seem relatively chill compared to that main event.
The “Main Event” (AKA The Oh-My-Gosh Moment)
About halfway through, you’ll hit the aptly named “Main Event.” This is where you’ll step out onto metal rungs over a 500-foot drop. It’s intense, it’s exhilarating, and it’s absolutely breathtaking. I’m not gonna lie – my anxiety kicked in full force as we started.
This section wasn’t physically hard but it was a mind f*ck. I remember thinking the whole way up to this that wow, this via ferrata route is so chill. But the calmness went out the window as soon as I reached this section.
Contrary to how it seems, I’m scared of heights. Not seeing what’s around the corner and just how much exposure there would be really got my palms sweating… I even told Josh I might turn around after we started because I was just so scared. But, that’s how it always starts for me, and once I took that first few steps, it was pure adrenaline-fueled anxiety which eventually turned into bliss.
The iron rungs traverse horizontally literally on the side of the cliff with 500 ft of air beneath your feet. While it’s not exactly physically demanding, it took a lot for me to stay out of my head. There was only one tiny section that I was really scared of because the next step forward was a bit downward and that’s just not something I personally do as well with.
One of the iron rungs near the end of the main event was a little wobbly! Remember, while you are relatively “safe” being attached to other points, activities like this will also have some danger.
After the main event, the path opens up fairly wide to take a break, enjoy the views and have a snack.
Scared of heights but want to challenge yourself? That’s awesome! Here are some tips that help me with my fear of heights… while on heights:
- Don’t look directly down. I know you want to, but don’t do it.
- Give yourself pep-talks. That might sound weird but personally, it helps me a lot.
- Breathe and focus on one movement at a time, whether that’s the next step, the next clip, or reaching your arms. I find exaggerated breaths help me.
- Hire a guide so your only concern is your steps and the guide will take care of anything else.
Photo op: There is an amazing shot here if you have the courage to wait and hang out while your partner finishes the main event to snap the shot.
Exiting the Via Ferrata Route
The hike out is also a little steep and can be a little slippery. It is about 15 minutes, starts narrow downhill to leave the cliff, then widens until you reach the narrow dirt trail that leads you back to (hopefully where you left) your car shuttle.
I highly recommend going in the Fall—the fall colors are gorgeous!
Watch the video from our Telluride via ferrata climb here on Josh’s YouTube.
Going Guided vs. Unguided
Now, I know I went unguided with my friend, but let’s talk about why you might want to consider a guide, especially if it’s your first rodeo:
- Safety first: Guides know the route like the back of their hand and can keep you safe (“safe” is all relative as there will always be some danger).
- Gear sorted: They’ll hook you up with all the necessary equipment.
- Technique tips: Learn proper via ferrata techniques from the pros.
- Local knowledge: Get the inside scoop on Telluride’s history and geology.
- Peace of mind: Focus on the experience without worrying about navigation or safety.
Click here to book a private guide for the Telluride Via Ferrata
Why You Should Do the Telluride Via Ferrata
- The Views: Unparalleled vistas of the San Juan Mountains, Bridal Veil Falls, and Telluride Valley.
- The Challenge: It pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible.
- The Bragging Rights: Let’s be real, it’s pretty cool to say you’ve conquered one of Colorado’s most thrilling via ferratas.
FAQ: Telluride Via Ferrata
How difficult is the Telluride Via Ferrata?
How difficult is it? It’s rated 2B on the Italian Via Ferrata scale, meaning moderate difficulty but serious exposure. Physically, I didn’t find it too hard, but mentally, it was a challenge.
You’ll need a relatively-decent level of fitness, some upper body strength helps, and a head for heights.
But here’s the thing – with the right preparation and mindset, it’s totally doable for most adventurous souls. Just be ready for a challenge!
Is the Telluride Via Ferrata free?
Here’s the deal – the Telluride Via Ferrata itself is free to access. Yep, you heard that right! But (there’s always a but, isn’t there?) you’ll need to factor in some costs. If you’re going with a guide, which I highly recommend for first-timers who are new to via ferrata adventures, you’re looking at around $209 per person. Plus, you’ll need to rent or buy proper via ferrata gear if you don’t have your own. So while the route itself is free, be prepared to shell out some cash for a safe and enjoyable experience.
What is the difference between Telluride via ferrata and Ouray?
Okay, so I’ve done both, and let me tell you – they each have their own flavor of awesome. The Telluride Via Ferrata is all about those jaw-dropping views and that heart-pounding exposure. It’s a bit more accessible for beginners (with a guide) and has that iconic “Main Event” section that’ll test your nerves.
Ouray, on the other hand, is more physically demanding. It’s rated 4B on the Italian scale, compared to Telluride’s 2B. Ouray throws more technical challenges your way and really works those muscles. But here’s the kicker – while Telluride might be easier physically, many folks (myself included) find it more mentally challenging due to the extreme exposure.
While you’re considering all the via ferrata options in the area to find the best fit though, Gold Mountain Via Ferrata in Ouray offers a nice balance of both. It probably has the most diverse sections as it provides easy and challenging options on which way to move forward. You can read more about that here.
Can beginners do it?
Yes, but if you’re new to via ferratas or nervous about heights, go with a guide.
How long does the Telluride Via Ferrata take?
Plan for 4-5 hours, including time for photos and snack breaks.
When is the best time to go?
Late May to October. Fall is my personal favorite for the golden aspens!
Nearby Adventures For You
What’s next? More Colorado Via Ferrata Adventures
Can’t get enough of that via ferrata thrill? Well, you’re in luck because Colorado is packed with iron paths waiting to be conquered. If you’re looking for your next adventure after Telluride, let me point you towards the Gold Mountain Via Ferrata. I’ve got a detailed guide that’ll give you all the juicy details and even help you book your trip. Trust me, it’s another epic adventure you won’t want to miss!
Things to Do in Telluride
Alright, so you’ve conquered the via ferrata – what’s next? Telluride is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and culture vultures alike. Here are some must-dos:
- Hike the famous Blue Lakes Trail: It’s further out but on your way into down
- Hike to Hope Lake
- Pro tip: bring a paddleboard! It’s a workout but the relaxation to float on a turquoise lake will pay off
- Hike to Cornet Creek Falls: A short 0.5-mile trail to a stunning waterfall surrounded by red-orange walls.
- Ride the gondola in town: Free scenic rides with killer views.
- Explore Main Street: Charming shops, restaurants, and historic buildings.
- Pro Tip: Stop by Butcher and the Baker and try their homemade pop tart
- Drive Ophir Pass: go on an “easier” off-roading adventure which drops you off on the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton.
Where to Stay in Telluride
Telluride offers a range of accommodations, whether you’re looking for a luxurious mountain escape, a historic stay in town, or a budget-friendly option. However, there really are no truly “cheap” places to stay in this luxurious mountain town unless you camp. Here are some top picks:
- Luxury: Mountain Lodge Telluride – A secluded alpine retreat surrounded by stunning mountain views. This upscale lodge offers cozy cabins, suites with private balconies, and a heated outdoor pool, making it a perfect base for a summer adventure.
- Mid-Range: New Sheridan Hotel – A charming and historic hotel located in the heart of downtown Telluride. With elegantly designed rooms and a rooftop bar, it’s within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and trailheads.
- Budget-Friendly: Mountainside Inn – A simple, affordable option near the San Miguel River and within walking distance to downtown. Great for travelers who want a comfortable stay without the high price tag.
- Budget-Friendly: Bivvi Hostel – A social and budget-friendly choice offering both dorms and private rooms. Ideal for solo travelers or those looking to meet fellow adventurers.
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Getting to Telluride
Coming from Denver? Buckle up for a road trip! The drive from Denver to Telluride is about 6-7 hours, but it’s a stunner. You’ll wind through the Rockies, pass cute mountain towns, and maybe even spot some wildlife. I’d recommend driving hwy 285 vs i-70 for a more scenic drive. If you’re not up for the drive, you can fly into Montrose Regional Airport (about 1.5 hours away) or splurge on a flight directly to Telluride Regional Airport.
Final Thoughts
The Telluride Via Ferrata is hands down one of Colorado’s most thrilling adventures. Whether you’re an experienced climber or a first-timer with a sense of adventure, this route is an unforgettable experience.
It isn’t just another tick on your adventure bucket list – it’s an experience that’ll push your limits, take your breath away (literally and figuratively).
So, what are you waiting for? Step out, clip in, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime on the Telluride Via Ferrata. And hey, if you’re hungry for more iron path action after this, don’t forget to check out my guide to the Gold Mountain Via Ferrata (discount code included). Trust me, once you get a taste of via ferrata life, you’ll be hooked!
Let me know how your trip goes in the comments below!
Questions? Ask below!
Stay safe and adventurous!
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.
