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- Written by: Emily Woodhouse & Sophie Nicholson
There are a growing number of via ferratas in the UK. We might not have the lofty alpine spires of the Dolomites or the high-wire epics found in Europe’s best via ferratas, but the UK has more than its fair share of quarries, cliffs and canyons where you can get your adrenaline and exposure fix.
It goes without saying that the whole UK via ferrata experience is generally colder and wetter than, say, in southern Spain BUT that little extra bit of slippery spice really adds to the experience - trust us! We wouldn’t want to make it too easy for you, would we?
"We have more than our fair share of quarries, cliffs and canyons where you can get your adrenaline and exposure fix"
From England to Scotland via Wales, there are some really cool via ferratas to get stuck into in the UK - but before you start clipping carabiners like a pro, let's get to grips with what via ferrata actually is!
What is Via Ferrata?
Via ferrata – Italian for ‘iron path’ – is a hybrid of rock climbing and hiking. You follow a fixed route using iron rungs, ladders, and cables attached to the rock. It allows non-climbers to experience vertical terrain and dramatic positions usually reserved for mountaineers. Harnesses and helmets are a must, and in the UK, most routes must be done with a guide.
Via Ferrata in England
There are three four different via ferratas that you can do in England, spread nicely across the country. The most well known is by far the via ferrata at Honister Slate Mine in the Lake District - the UK's original via ferrata.
Honister Slate Mine, Lake District
You can choose from several via ferrata routes from the growing selection on offer at Honister.
The Classic route is described as an introduction to getting out of your comfort zone. For more exposure, vertical climbs and cliff edge ladders, plus a huge cargo net, the Xtreme route ascends into the mountains surrounding Honister Pass. Or, you can use via ferrata as a way to explore the old slate mine, through tunnels and caverns.
All three options must be done with a guide and all profits help support Honister’s preservation and education work.
For a full run-through of the experience, check out our first-hand guide to the Honister via ferrata.
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Location: Honister Pass, Cumbria
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Duration: 2–3 hours
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Difficulty: Classic – Moderate; Xtreme – Challenging
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Guide required: Yes
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Operator: Honister.com
- Highlights include: The Classic Route (a great introduction to exposure and ladder climbs), The Xtreme Route (adds cliff-edge ladders, wire bridges, and a huge cargo net suspended over the mountainside) and The Mine Tour (a blend of underground tunnels and short climbs).
How Stean Gorge, Yorkshire Dales
How Stean Via Ferrata in the Yorkshire Dales makes for a great day out and can be combined with other outdoor activities in the How Stean gorge.
The How Stean Via Ferrata route traverses and ascends the limestone cliffs of the gorge, featuring metal beams, ladders and bridges made of two suspended metal cables: one for your feet and one for your hands. Enjoy shuffling across that.
There’s the added novelty of passing under their glass-floored cafe, so you can wave at any terrified friends and relatives who aren’t on the cables with you.
Want to know what it’s like to actually do it? Read our first-hand account of Yorkshire’s via ferrata.
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Location: Nidderdale, North Yorkshire
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Duration: 1.5 hours
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Guide required: Yes
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Operator: Howstean.co.uk
- Highlights include: Crossing under a glass-floored café (smile for the camera above), the opportunity to pair it with caving, gorge scrambling and canoeing for a seriously activity-packed day.
Via Ferrata Cornwall, Goodygrane Activity Centre
Cornwall’s first via ferrata is at Goodygrane Activity Centre near Falmouth.
The route criss-crosses the abandoned granite quarries overlooking Falmouth Bay. There’s a beginners’ training route, with the option to continue to greater heights (up to 20 metres above a water-filled quarry) and zip line to finish.
Better still, all profits from Via Ferrata Cornwall are used to support local disadvantaged children and young people, through the work of local charity BF Adventure.
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Location: Near Falmouth
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Duration: 1–2 hours
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Difficulty: Easy to moderate
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Guide required: Yes
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Operator: viaferratacornwall.co.uk
- Highlights include: A beginner-friendly training circuit, full route climbing 20m above a water-filled quarry, zip line finale across the quarry floor
Indoor Via Ferrata, Kendal Climbing Wall
Europe’s first indoor via ferrata is ideal for bad weather and/or beginners! It features metal ladders, walkways, and ledges bolted around the interior of the Kendal's climbing wall.
Perfect for building confidence before heading outdoors.
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Location: Kendal, Cumbria
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Duration: 1 hour
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Difficulty: Easy
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Guide required: Optional (indoor)
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Operator: lakelandclimbingcentres.co.uk
Via Ferrata in Wales
In Wales, they don’t just have mountains; they have quarries too. This makes it the perfect place not to go higher or steeper, but underground. Yes, really.
Zip World Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog
Zip World Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog is an underground via ferrata experience.
Alongside the rest of Zip World Caverns underground adventure park, including the famous trampoline caves of Bounce Below, you can explore the caverns and passages of a disused slate mine by via ferrata. The course is specially made and includes rope bridges, a tightrope and 13 zip lines.
With eerie, multicoloured, scene lighting to light the way this is a seriously unique via ferrata experience!
- Location: Gwynedd, North Wales
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Duration: 2.5–3 hours
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Guide required: No (supervised briefing required)
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Operator: zipworld.co.uk
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Highlights include: 13 zip lines, rope bridges and a tightrope, multicoloured lighting in vast underground chambers
Afon Prysor Canyon, North Wales Active
If all that makes you feel a bit claustrophobic, there’s another via ferrata to try in Wales – this time outside in the canyon of Afon Prysor river, inland from Porthmadog.
North Wales Active take groups down this via ferrata, usually taking in other adventurous activities while they’re in the area.
For example, a guided group can do a couple of hours that includes the via ferrata and a big abseil into the gorge. For a full day out, choose from one of their bespoke Canyon Extreme tours; pairing via ferrata with canyoning, climbing, abseiling, swimming, zip lining. Go mad on the adrenaline, and expect to get wet.
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Location: Near Trawsfynydd, inland from Porthmadog
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Duration: 2–6 hours (various options)
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Difficulty: Moderate to high
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Guide required: Yes
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Operator: northwalesactive.co.uk
- Highlights include: Big abseils, climbing and scrambling, swimming and zip lines
Via Ferrata in Scotland
You might be surprised to discover that, despite having the highest mountains in the UK, Scotland only has one proper via ferrata. It’s not a big mountain crest route either.
Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall, Kinlochleven
Scotland’s only via ferrata is a privately managed route, tucked into the gorge of the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall just above Kinlochleven. As you can imagine, that makes things wet – and wetter than a Highland’s summer – all year round.
The route is 500m long and climbs alongside all 90m of the waterfall, the third longest in Scotland. There are metal ‘staples’ – which look just like someone’s taken an enormous staple gun to the walls – and wooden plank bridges to help you reach your destination. To have a go at the route, contact Vertical Descents.
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Location: Kinlochleven, Lochaber
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Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours
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Difficulty: Moderate to hard
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Guide required: Yes
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Operator: verticaldescents-scotland.com
- Highlights include: Vertical staples bolted into rock, narrow bridges, high exposure and heavy spray - all year round!
Elie Chainwalk, Fife
Scotland’s only chain-assisted coastal scramble, the Elie Chainwalk isn’t technically a via ferrata – no harnesses, helmets or safety cables required – but it's still got the same wild, exposed, iron-gripping adventure vibe.
Often dubbed Scotland's 'secret via ferrata', there are eight steel chains fixed into the sea cliffs which allow you to climb, traverse and clamber around the cliffs just above the water.
Take note: The route is tidal, so plan carefully – start at least two hours before high tide or risk getting cut off. This one is best tackled in dry weather with good footwear and a bit of nerve.
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Location: Between Elie and Shell Bay, Fife Coastal Path
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Duration: 2–3 hours (circular walk including approach and return)
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Difficulty: Moderate – exposed scrambling using fixed chains
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Guide required: No (self-guided, but tide awareness essential)
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Operator: Free access (no official operator)
Planning Your UK Via Ferrata Trip
Getting There
Most routes are in rural areas where public transport is limited. Your best bet is to hire a car or use a combination of train and taxi. Honister and Blaenau Ffestiniog are reasonably accessible by train.
Gear Checklist
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Helmet and harness (usually provided)
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Gloves – vital for cold metal rungs
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Waterproof outer layers
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Trail shoes or boots with good grip
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Small backpack for snacks/water
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GoPro or phone (zipped away) for Insta love!
Booking & Cost
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Prices range from £30–£80 depending on duration and provider
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Book in advance for weekends or holidays
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Age restrictions typically start at 10 years+
Via Ferrata FAQs
Can I do a via ferrata without a guide?
Most outdoor routes in the UK require a guide, mainly for safety and insurance reasons. The indoor Kendal option is an exception.
Is it dangerous?
There is inherent risk, but via ferrata is designed to be safe for non-climbers. You're always attached to a safety cable.
Do I need experience?
No - many via ferrata routes in the UK are suitable for first-timers - you really just need a head for heights.
Final Thoughts: Why Try Via Ferrata in the UK?
UK via ferratas might not nail mega alpine elevation, but they definitely deliver when it comes to drama, challenge and variety. From the Vertical Descents Via Ferrata in Scotland to the atmospheric underground routes of Via Ferrata Wales, there’s a style of aerial adventure here to suit everyone - and usually a zip line at the end for those end of adventure feel-good vibes!
