Below are links to websites and articles on via ferrata that you might find useful. I’ve collected these here to make finding such information easier. However, I need to emphasise that I cannot vouch for the accuracy of any of the route descriptions, topos, maps, apps, etc. linked to here. As with any information online, you need to exercise due diligence and common sense in evaluating the information and making use of it.
Information on equipment and safety
Tech Skills: Via Ferrata Equipment
This article on the British Mountaineering Council website provides a valuable explanation of the essential equipment required to do via ferrata safely.
What is a Via Ferrata? Everything You Need to Know
An article that sets out what a via ferrata is, what equipment is required, and what to expect when climbing a via ferrata.
Tech Tips
A variety of technical tips of via ferrata from Petzl. These include how to rest when climbing a via ferrata, belaying with a rope on a via ferrata, how to do via ferrata with a child, and how to attach a lanyard.
The Connection Point Between Hiking and Climbing
Information on what a via ferrata is from the UIAA (the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation). It contains a link to a document with an explanation of the history of via ferrata and comparisons of the different grading systems.
Guides to vie ferrate around the world
de Andar
A well-designed and useful Spanish language website that provides information on via ferrata across Europe. There is an interactive map marking each via ferrata as well as route descriptions, photographic topos, photos, local maps, and some videos.
via-ferrata.de
A German language website that provides descriptions and photos of via ferrata across Europe. It also has via ferrata news, technical advice, articles, useful links and information on equipment.
Ferrata Guide
A website with descriptions, topos, photos, and maps of via ferrata around the world. There are also user comments on the via ferratas.
Klettersteig.com
An Austrian website that provides brief descriptions and photos of via ferrata in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. The majority of the website is in German, but the introductory pages (including an explanation of one system of via ferrata grading) is in English.
bergsteigen.com
A nicely set out, German-language website that provides route descriptions, maps and topos for via ferratas in Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
6 of the Best Via Ferrata in Europe
An article on some of the best via ferrata around Europe.
The Ultimate Guide to Via Ferrata in the UK
An overview of the via ferrata in England, Scotland and Wales.
Via Ferrata – Protected Climbing Paths in the Dolomites
A website that provides route descriptions and photographs of many via ferrata in the Italian Dolomites. An interactive via ferrata map on the site is a useful tool for planning a trip, while routes are also listed by mountain group and name.
Planet Mountain – Via Ferrata
A brilliant website that provides very detailed and clear route descriptions of via ferrata in the Italian Dolomites. A search function allows you to look for via ferrata by mountain group and name. Route descriptions can also be downloaded as pdf files so you can print them off and take them on the mountain with you. The Planet Mountain site is available in both English and Italian and contains lots of other information on mountain activities.
Climbing in South Tyrol
The tourist authority of South Tyrol provides description of via ferrata in their region on this website. The summaries of the via ferrata are short, but each helpfully includes a topographical map showing the route together with an altitude profile of the route.
Viaferrata-FR
A French language website that provide short descriptions of French via ferrata and articles on such things as via ferrata safety.
Ecrins & Briancon Via Ferrata app
A free app that provides information on via ferrata in the Ecrins and Briancon area of the Haute Alps in France. It includes topos, route maps, photos, mapping, access information and descriptions of the routes. It’s available from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Via ferrata in Switzerland
Descriptions and photos of many of the via ferrata in Switzerland on the website of Switzerland Tourism.
Norway’s Awesome Via Ferratas
This website from Visit Norway describes via ferrata across the country. Scrolling down takes you through videos and photos of each via ferrata, with links to further information. At the bottom of the first page is a map with links to the descriptions of each route.
Take a Leap of Faith
An article on the best via ferrata in the USA and Canada.
8 Via Ferratas You Wouldn’t Want to Fall From
An article from Red Bull about a selection of via ferrata from around the world.
the Severe climber 
Hi. Thought I just might add one more useful link for those climbers traveling to or inside Europe and looking for ferrata routes in different states. Try Goferrata.com, simple and usefull search engine I came across recently. In my opinion, it has the best layout amongst other similiar services out there and provides very decent database of tracks, mainly those in the Alps. You can also filter the matches according to difficulty or lenght. Nothing really unique, however, as I said, the user interface is really nice, which made it the right option for me.
Thanks Martin.
It’s an interesting site. It’s a well-designed interactive map of European via ferrata and would be really useful for planning a trip. However, as a non-German speaker, I think it’s a shame that it doesn’t have links through to English language descriptions of the routes.
Hi there — chipping in to this thread very late, but you seem like the right person to ask. I have had some experience with via ferrate but always using rented equipment or kits borrowed from friends. I want to buy my own now but am finding it surprisingly difficult to find comprehensive safety reviews of different kits (perhaps the language barrier you have mentioned?) I was wondering if you 1) know the right place for me to look to find safety standards/reviews and 2) have a recommendation of your own favourite. That would be very helpful — thanks!
Hi there — chipping in very late to this thread, but you seem like the right person to ask. I’ve had a bit of experience with via ferrate but always using rental equipment or kits borrowed from friends. I’m now wanting to buy my own kit but I’m finding it surprisingly hard to find comprehensive safety reviews of what’s on the market (possibly due to the language barrier you mention?). I was hoping you might have either 1) a good source of such reviews or 2) a personal favourite to recommend. Thanks so much!
Hi,
I wish I did, but I’m afraid that I’m not aware of anyone doing such comprehensive reviews. Considering how many people do via ferrata, it’s a bit odd that no one seems to be writing them. A Google search comes up with the odd review of via ferrata sets, but nothing I would describe as a comprehensive review of lots of different sets.
I’ve only ever owned two sets of via ferrata lanyards – a set by Edelrid and a set by Mammut. The Mammut set I’ve reviewed on this blog. The Edelrid set I haven’t reviewed here, but I thought it was very good. Edelrid and Mammut are probably the manufacturers I’d look to first the next time I’m buying some lanyards.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.