Kroger Via Ferrata

This is an absolute must in Telluride. I did the trip on a private tour with Mountaintrip. They were very professional. Others comment about lack of cables in certain sections - I asked the guide about it and he said it's impossible to put cables there because of avalanches and rock fall. I didn't find it sketchier than hikes I've been on - just go slow and you will be fine. It was slightly more technical than I anticipated - I had thought it was simply traversing across but there are some times where upper body strength and rock climbing skills are required. The guide will help you through those sections.

This was my first via ferrata and it was an incredible experience! We are experienced climbers so hired gear and did the route unguided. The route is mostly hiking along a ledge of varying width, parts are more akin to rock climbing and the 'main event' is passing across a stretch on nothing but metal rungs, hubdreds of feet above the ground. As a confident climber, I still felt scared, then absolutely elated afterwards. A very cool experience!! Warning: There were a couple of loose handles towards the end and some of the rock is loose. We only had 1 car so we parked at the trailhead for bridal veil falls, hiked to the east entrance, traversed across, then hiked back down.

Beautiful hike! Please only do this if you have decent via ferrata experience and the right equipment! A lot less commercialized and “safe” than the ones in Ouray. More challenging and has some sketchy areas that don’t have a cable attachment point. Best if done with someone who has done it before.

Super awesome!! If you have one car, I recommend parking at the bridal veil bottom parking lot and hike the trail up. Lots of waterfalls on the way and then walk that short stretch on the road to the start of the via ferrata. Very well marked. First half is really mellow but second half is fun!! Walk down the road a couple switchbacks to get back to your car at the end! Definitely not for people with fear of heights.

Pretty easy hike. The Via Ferrata route wasn’t physically strenuous. Absolutely fantastic views. There were a few wall sections where you have a little bit of a gut check. I felt that this was a great introduction into Via Ferata.

The hike / climb is moderately difficult, but the mental game of overcoming the fear is the real challenge. Despite being cabled in, there are some really challenging portions where you have to keep it together. IMO unless you are an experienced climber, this must be done with a guide, at least the first time. The views are spectacular.

Amazing!! Be prepared for the main event which is right after the bench in the wall. Be prepared to spend 3 hours+ on this and bring the correct gear. Falling here would not be good. Go slow and don’t take this lightly as you are in the direct sun most of the day and it takes a lot of upper body strength in lots of places

Passing on this info since I couldn’t get much of an idea. I have outdoor climbing experience, but not VFs. This was fine to do solo. Biggest risk is injuring yourself and needing help. I took a radio and there is phone signal the whole way. The cable gives a false sense of sense of security because it is in places you don’t need it (I skipped some) and not in places you do. You can rent a tether at Jagged Mtn for $25 or $80 at Amazon. Don’t makeshift this or you might break your back. I was torn between trail runners and backpacking boots. I would have been fine with the runners but was happy with the boots. Other notes - I left the lot at 9am and 44F. Long sleeves and pants worked well. I hiked the BVF trail but it is a little steep/strenuous and would do the road next time. The trail back is wicked steep and loose in spots.