Via Ferrata with Children

The great thing about adventure sports is that many of them can be enjoyed with children. What does this mean? That you can spend your free time with your kids while also introducing them to nature in a fun and exciting way.

Which adventure sports can we do with them? For example, mountain activities like via ferratas. Across our geography, there is a wide variety of ferratas, catering to all levels and preferences.

• Canal de la Mora. Located in Canillo (Andorra). To get there by car, once past Canillo, take the CS-240 turn-off towards Ordino. About 500 metres further, you’ll see the car park. This is a very easy route, where you can walk the entire way up to the Roc de Quer viewpoint. Be cautious in bad weather, as conditions may become tricky. The route takes approximately 2 hours (1 hour each way) with an elevation gain of 350 metres.

• Barranco de Valdoria. This via ferrata also surprises with its combination of hiking and caving. It’s situated in Albalate del Arzobispo (Teruel). To reach it, take the turn-off at Km 25 of the A-223 between Albalate del Arzobispo and Andorra (Teruel). A sign will point you to the access track. As for the route itself, it’s very straightforward, though there are some sections where beginners or children may need to use ropes.

• Escaleras al Cielo (Stairway to Heaven). This via ferrata is located in Santamera (Guadalajara). Take the C-110 road towards Atienza, starting from Sigüenza’s Renfe station. The route features several climbing paths, so climbers can enjoy the activity even more. There are natural holds as well as metal rungs leading to a ladder. At the top, you’ll reach the summit. If you like, you can return via the Hoces del Río Salado and observe the salt flats alongside it. Ideal for children and beginners.

• Teletubbies. Located in Corçà, Noguera (Lleida), with an elevation gain of 40 metres. It’s not a very long via ferrata, so you’ll complete it in about 32 minutes. Suitable for children, and beginners in via ferratas will also find it accessible. Along the route, you’ll find excellent equipment with everything needed to complete it: steps, artificial holds, ladders, etc. Everything is even set up for rappelling down if you wish, while enjoying views of the Canelles Reservoir.

• Pasarela de Espeja. Located in Espeja de San Marcelino (Soria), this is a very simple and short via ferrata, with just 40 metres of elevation gain. It’s the first via ferrata in Castilla y León and is best done in summer, as rainy conditions can make it tricky due to water runoff. Some sections may require a rope, so we recommend bringing proper equipment.

• Vía Cordata de Escarrilla. This route is in Escarrilla (Huesca). You can access it via the A-136 road and park reasonably close. It’s not technically a via ferrata as it lacks a continuous safety cable. The start is the most challenging part, with a III+ difficulty level, but it eases in gradient and difficulty as you progress, only to return to III+ near the end. There’s a meeting point you’ll find when descending from the summit to a rockier area. You’ll need around 80 metres of rope to set up the safety line.