Austria’s Longest Via Ferrata

Last updated on April 15th, 2022 at 11:39 am

The new Priel via ferrata opened on 20 June 2019 high above the Upper Austrian village of Hinterstoder.

With a climbing length of 2130 metres and a vertical distance of 900 metres, it is the longest via ferrata in Austria – and an alpine superlative that adds another attraction to the Pyhrn-Priel holiday region.

The Priel via ferrata in Upper Austria
© TVB Pyhrn-Priel | Kniewasser

The new Priel via ferrata is both challenging and panoramic. It leads from the foot of the Priel southeast spur to the bright red summit cross of the Great Priel at 2,515 metres.

The existing Bert-Rinesch climbing route has been re-routed and extended for the klettersteig. The way up now leads through two large rock windows and is “a spectacular adventure that requires a lot of experience and first-class equipment,” according to the two mountain guides Heli Steinmassl and Siegfried Wasserbauer, who were responsible for the implementation of the project.

The ascent should take about 5.5 hours (without a break!). Experienced climbers manage the descent in about 2 hours. There is an additional 45-minute walk from the Prielschutzhaus to the starting point.

The Priel via ferrata is graded with the level D on the widespread via ferrata climbing difficulty scale from A to E.

Of similar interest: The Arlberg via ferrata above St Anton

More information: www.urlaubsregion-pyhrn-priel.at