Iron nerve: via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees

Iron nerve: via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees

Our trip to Catalonia begins with a via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees, which puts my nerves, strength and mobility to the test

I lean out of the rock wall and although I am attached to three different places, my heart beats nervously when I look at the floor. I am only a few meters above it, but hanging on an iron sprout and leaning into the abyss contradicts my natural instincts.

Jordi, our experienced guide from Outdoor Adventour, tells me that I should sit further out. "You have to know that you are sure down here if you have to do it up there."

"up there" are 200 m of rugged cliffs, interrupted by iron sprouts that are screwed into the rocks. Together, the sprouts form our via ferrata or "iron path" the wall of the Tossal de Miravet at Pont de Suert in the Pyrenees of Lleida in Catalonia.

Alt = “via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees 10 ″> Atlas & Boots Tossal de Miravet in the Catalan Pyrenees

via ferrata were used for the first time in the 19th century by farmers in the European Alps to connect villages with higher pastures, and later used by soldiers in the First World War to receive access to peaks for observation items and field guns.

Today the via ferrata serves to relax, which is why I dangle in the Catalan Pyrenees on the wall of the Tossal de Miravet.

invited to the region as part of a "Mystery trip", I had no idea until minutes before the climb that I would try via ferrata. I was mentally unprepared, but I really wanted to try.

Peter, who had only done the Queenstown via ferrata months earlier, asked if I was nervous. I was full of flying colors, really confident that via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees would fade in 16,000 feet compared to the 134 m high Nevis bungy or the jump from a plane. I am not afraid of heights and I am relatively nimble, so I thought that would be fun and not too difficult.

alt = “Peter proves to be a professional on our via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees as a professional”> Atlas & Boots Peter proves to be a professional

My first challenge was to master the carabiners who hold us up. As I wrote in riding in Montenegro, I have inexplicable problems with teachings, closures, zippers, buckles, knots and locks. On a via ferrata, climbers have to attach two carabiners to a steel cable that runs parallel to the iron sprouts, and switch from one section of the rope to the other when they come higher.

A third carabiner can be attached to the rung if you have to lean outwards - as I do now. Jordi tells me that I should clap my hands to make sure that I look out. I do and he grins, the first indication of his slope for nonsense.

We seriously set off: Jordi first, then Naomi (our companion from the tourism association), then Peter and finally me. I am happy to see that Naomi is slower than me. (I'm sorry, Naomi, but nobody likes to be the weakest link!) Jordi helps her what gives me time without embarrassing. Via ferratas are not exactly graceful for beginners.

We move higher along the first of three walls and I scoop out of my strength, mobility and serenity to get further up. I am completely aware that I am responsible for my own security, which clearly distinguishes from bungee or parachute jumping. With these activities you are never out of an expert. Here I could bring me a few mistakes and although my rational brain knows that I am absolutely safe, my left leg begins to tremble uncontrollably at some point. I have never experienced anything like this and it is clear to me that I have to be afraid. It has a strange, academic quality and a distant part of me thinks: "Huh, so it's so."

alt = "I continue to focus on via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees"> Atlas & Boots remain

I stem against the iron sprouts and breathe deeply a few times to stabilize myself. It really only goes up. I remember that children from the age of 14 can be on the via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees, so it really can't be that difficult.

I ignore the feeling of being so exposed and continues. Soon we reach our first plateau and Naomi and I sag relieved. This is really something else. Neither Peter nor Jordi believe me when I say that this is more scary than bungy.

We take a moment to enjoy the view of the Boi Valley, the Pont de Suert and the Noguera Ribagorçana River. Oh, the grace period is fleeting and soon it starts again.

alt = “Enjoy our breather on our via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees”> Atlas & Boots Enjoy a rest on our via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees

We climb higher and start to tackle sections with large gaps between the sprouts, hardly ideal for someone who is barely 5 feet in size. Soon we reach a "Nepalese bridge", a cable strand that is stretched over an abyss that we have to cross on foot.

Entering the bridge is wild and exciting. However, when the rope fluctuates, I find that it is somehow less scary than the via ferrata itself. Perhaps it is because I don't have to swap a carabiner, which gives me a sure feeling. Of course it would still be terrible to lose your own. I cannot imagine what it means for your self -confidence to dangle 100 m above the ground.

alt = “crossing a Nepalese bridge on our via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees”> Atlas & Boots Cross a suspension bridge

When I reach the middle of the bridge, Jordi, our house fool, begins to swing the rope with his foot. I am amazed, but also amused and threatened to beat him when I'm to safety. I find that he does not do the same Naomi, so I like to think that he can assess who can handle his comedy and who is not.

Soon we will reach a second suspension bridge. We cross this quickly, but in the end there is a sharp curve and Jordi has to pull me around the corner. A little further, Peter drops his lens cover above me and ends up on a ridge meter under my feet. I get off, put it in my shirt, climb up again and give it to him, James Bond feel more close than ever.

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Atlas & Boots

Soon we will reach a second plateau. Jordi says that we move relatively slowly and asks if we want to end or try the last rock wall. He explains that the last wall has the strange collapse and the iron sprouts are even less and further apart.

Naomi and I look at each other and then again to Jordi. "We like to stop," we say in unison and with relief.

alt = “finish line on our via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees”> Atlas & Boots All smile on the finish line

I found via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees difficult, not only because I was largely responsible for my own security, but also because of the duration of the activity. With a parachute jump or bungee jump, they draw their courage and make a jump and the experience is over in a few minutes. With the via ferrata you have a long and tense activity route with extremely high intensity.

Now that I did it, of course I would like to do it again. I can see that it was incredibly fun and I regret not having completed the route. Of course there is only one way to deal with it, and that is to return to the Catalan Pyrenees.

via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees: The essentials

Was: via ferrata on the Tossal de Miravet in the Catalan Pyrenees.

• length: via ferrata 420 m, a total of 2.8 km
• vertical meter: via ferrata 200m, a total of 280m
• duration: via ferrata 2-3 hours, plus 20 minutes on and 40 minutes out
• difficulty: medium

Where: We stayed at the Hotel L’Aüt in Erill La Vall, a 20-minute trip from the Ecem Escola de Muntanya via ferrata meeting point.

The Hotel L’Aüt is a cozy hotel in the medieval village Erill La Vall in the Boi Valley. The charming stone building stands opposite the Santa Eulàlia d’ Erill La Vall, one of the famous Romanesque churches in the area.

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Hotel l’Aüt

The rooms are typical of cozy mountain huts, with wooden shutters, sloping blankets and steamed lighting that create a very cozy atmosphere.

The hotel has a terrace, a living room and a hotel -owned restaurant that serves a selection of delicious local dishes, perfect for a dinner, followed by a walk through the picturesque village streets.

When: via Ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees is available from May to October.

like: Via ferrata in the Catalan Pyrenees are offered by Outdoor Adventour, a local company that is led by the charismatic CEO Pepo, with the support of a team of very experienced guides, including Jordi, Edu and Marc, who took care of us during our time.

Contact the team via the website, by email to info@outdooradventour.com or by phone at +34 973 409 / +34 654 093 295 to arrange activities and arrange transfers.

We flew to Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) Airport, which offers a good connection to the rest of Catalonia. Book flights at the best prices via Skyscanner.

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disclosure: We traveled to Catalonia with the support of the Catalan Tourist Board. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make sound decisions with honest advice.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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