What is Via Ferrata
A Via Ferrata (or ‘iron road’ in Italian, plural via ferrate) is a protected mountain pathway consisting of a series of rungs, rails, cables and bridges embracing the rock face. It allows access to scenic sections of the mountains that are typically available only to rock climbers and mountaineers.
As there’s a necessity for some use of modest equipment, a good head for heights and basic technique, the Via Ferrata may be seen as a definite step up from normal mountain walking under the safest conditions lead by an experience trainer to guide you.
Designed for bold and daring, the excitement, scenic beauty, and personal conquest you will experience on a Via Ferrata adventure is guaranteed to give you an invigorating nostalgic experience for years to come. There are more than 300 via ferrata routes around the world predominantly in Italy, Germany, France, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and Spain, and a few places in the United States and Canada.
What is Mountain Torq
Mountain Torq is the World’s highest via ferrata and Asia’s first via ferrata located at Mt Kinabalu’s Panalaban rock face. Starting at 3,200 metres and ends at 3,776 metres above sea level at Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
The next highest Via Ferrata is found in the Italian Dolomites called the Marmolada West ridge, at the highest point of 3,343 metres.
Mountain Torq offers two Via Ferrata routes; Walk the Torq and Low’s Peak Circuit. Both routes allow beginner and intermediate climbers to fully enjoy the activity without prior professional mountaineering experience.
Via Ferrata Climbing - An Activity for Everyone
Who Can Climb a Via Ferrata? What are the Requirements?
The Mt Kinabalu Via Ferrata is devised to give climbers with little or no climbing experience access to rock faces normally reached by mountaineers and rock climbers.
The minimum requirements needed for the first time via ferrate climber are:
- Average fitness level (Able to hike up to 3,200m in 6 hrs)
- Ages 10 and above for Walk the Torq
- Ages 17 and above for Low’s Peak Circuit
- A minimum height of 1.3 metres
- Free of restricting physical disabilities, be fit, healthy, and without fear of heights to fully participate and safely enjoy the activity
- No prior mountaineering experience required
- A maximum of 6 climbers per group is allowed to do Via Ferrata at a time
The Mt Kinabalu via ferrata routes are designed with beginner and intermediate climbers in mind.
- There is a via ferrata route to match everyone’s ability and endurance.
- Beginner climbers can take their first experience along the granite walls of Mt Kinabalu. A journey of 2 to 3 hours.
- Intermediate climbers embark on a 4 to 5 hours journey to experience the challenge of mountaineering and the lesser seen side of the mountain’s breathtaking heights and sights.
- The diversity of via ferrata routes means there is something for everyone – whether he or she is 10 or 70, a keen mountaineer or a casual holidaymaker.
Recommended Shoes for Via Ferrata Activity
The following shoes listed below are recommended.
- Hiking Boots
- Walking Shoes (good grip)
- Trekking Shoes
- Sneakers / Running shoes with laces
Customers seen with the following shoes below are not allowed to participate in the Via Ferrata activity:
- NO OPEN TOE SHOES
- NO SLIPPERS
- NO SLIP IN SNEAKERS
- NO BOOTS / RAINBOOTS
- NO GARDENING BOOTS