I did my first Austrian via ferrata last week, introducing my brother-in-law Nick and his son Ben to climbing with cables. The Klettersteig Huterlaner was a fun and varied climb with some good views down the Zillertal and of the town of Mayrhofen. As it starts only two minutes walk uphill from the base of the valley and is in the woods, it had a different feel to the mountainous via ferrate I’ve done elsewhere.

Instead of following a ridgeline or going up a rock face, the Klettersteig Huterlaner weaved its way through the trees in order to keep to the most interesting buttresses and slabs. This meant that the route felt a bit contrived at times, but also that it included sections of really enjoyable climbing.

Having a cold drink at a hut following a very hot climb made for a nice end to the climb too. However, we each only had a sip of the complimentary schnapps that was given to us at Gasthaus Zimmereben (which probably makes a good income from the climbers of the four via ferrate that end minutes from its door) before descending through the woods.

A via ferrata gear rental shop and, behind it in the trees, the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Ben on the first section of the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Me on the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Nick and Ben waiting for some climbers to get past a C graded section on the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Nick climbing the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Nick waiting for a chance to continue climbing on a congested section of the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Me crossing the wire bridge on the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Nick and Ben at the top of the last major bit of climbing on the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Mayrhofren seen from the Gasthaus Zimmereben.

The Zillertal seen from the descent from the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Further information

The Zillertal tourist information publishes a great booklet on the via ferrate and climbing in the area. It’s available in the tourist information offices and online.   There is also a good overview of information on the via ferrate by Mayrhofen, including the Klettersteig Huterlaner, on the local tourist information website. The website of the Gasthaus Zimmereben has a brief description and topo of the Klettersteig Huterlaner too.

In addition, three German language via ferrata sites that include information, topos and photos of the Klettersteig Huterlaner are klettersteig.de, bergsteigen.com and via-ferrata.de.