Silberkar gorge in the Dachstein massif can be a great idea for a family day out but you can connect it also with via ferratas. In the gorge and above the Silberkar Hut there are three short but interesting via ferratas.
The gorge Silberkarklamm is located close to the town Ramsau am Dachstein. By car you can reach the parking at the beginning of the trail. Via ferratas are not located on the main trail, so if you prefer easy hiking you can pass them by and walk by wooden steps along the river, until Silberkarhütte.
Via ferrata Hias
This via ferrata is located on the right side of the gorge (looking from below) and it starts just few minutes from the beginning of the trail. It is marked as D and has a few short fragments in this difficulty level, a few C/D and a few easier, also A, where you can comfortably rest.
It starts on the bridge above the river, then a short traverse and short fragment abruptly uphill.
In the meantime you can watch the landscapes of the gorge and the waterfall. Quite nice, however comparing to other via ferratas on this trail they’re not so breathtaking.
Later the next bridge, low above the ground and only after this bridge you will experience the most difficult parts of the via ferrata.
Main photo of this post was taken just on the Hias. After you overcome short but steep parts, you will reach a short path in the forest, and from this point it’s only a short way off the summit.
The whole via ferrata takes about 1 h and further the trail leads to Silberkarhütte.
Via ferrata Siega
The start of the via ferrata is located above the hut. You have to go uphill, I don’t remember how far exactly, but probably about half an hour. The via ferrata has a grade C/D but on this level there are only few sections and the most is around B.
It starts easily but such sections are also a pleasure for me. Instead of pulling on the cable I could enjoy climbing on the rocks.
Higher it’s more demanding and the views on the valley are beautiful :)
At the end, an easy forest path and after 150 m of denivelation the trail goes down to the Silberkar Hut.
Via ferrata Rosina
Via ferrata Rosina, looking from below, is located on the left side of the gorge. Similar to Hias, it has 130 m of height difference and its grade is D, but unlike Hias, where difficult fragments are intertwined with very easy ones, Rosina actually consists entirely of sections from C to D.
Metal steps make it easier to climb, but with my height (154 cm) I couldn’t do without using friction, what in my worn shoes wasn’t comfortable.
Unfortunately I don’t have many photos of this via ferrata, because I was too focused on conquering it and I was the last and didn’t want to delay the group but you can believe me, that here the views are indeed breathtaking :) One-hundred metres vertical wall this is it!
However comparing to via ferrata Johann, which I will describe in next post, Rosina looks quite wack ;)
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