Via Ferrata Zittergrat: A Thrilling Experience in the Swiss Alps

I never dreamed of climbing mountains and high peaks, but I’ve always felt the need for a bit of adrenaline. Recently, I had the chance to relive this vibe on the Via Ferrata Zittergrat route in Engelberg. Here, we had an adventure that impressed us quite a lot. Every steel cable, iron step, metal ladder, bridge, anchor, and bolt that guided us along the route offered a unique and thrilling experience right in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Why Zittergrat? Adrenaline and Dopamine și dopamină

We arrived at Via Ferrata Zittergrat, located on Brunnistöckli at an altitude of 2030 meters, ready for an exhilarating challenge. This route, rated with a K4 difficulty, tested our physical and mental limits during an intense ascent of about one hour, with an elevation gain of 200 meters.

We weren’t really aware of what awaited us, as we had never attempted this level of difficulty before. We had done some indoor climbing routes and a few Via Ferrata routes at K3 level. Interestingly, two weekends before this route, we had attempted to tackle another route with a K5 level. That would have been a very ill-advised choice.

We chose this route because we wanted to try a new challenge. We also have plans for a few Via Ferrata routes in the Italian Alps and needed to test our strength and mental resilience. Honestly, this route tested our arm muscles and courage, while also giving us the opportunity to practice efficient energy-saving techniques on vertical terrain.

In this area, you have the opportunity to take on the following routes:

• S1 Zittergrat: Difficulty K4, approximately 40 minutes of ascent and 20 minutes of descent.
• S2 Brunnistöckli: Difficulty K2, approximately 1 hour of ascent and 20 minutes of descent.
• S3 Rigidalstockwand: Difficulty K3-K4, approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes of ascent and 1 hour and 30 minutes of descent.
• S4 Rigidalstockgrat: Difficulty K3, approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes of ascent and 1 hour and 30 minutes of descent.

We chose the S1 route because it’s more challenging, but S2 is an excellent option for those who prefer a lower difficulty. After completing the S1 route, you can continue with the S3 and S4 routes for a more intense experience.

Our Adventure

Prima parte a traseului a fost destul de energică, dar nu prea dificilă, mai ales că nu era prima noastră experiență de acest fel. Însă, pe măsură ce am trecut de prima secțiune, lucrurile au devenit cu adevărat interesante și provocatoare.

The first part of the route was quite energetic but not too difficult, especially since it wasn't our first experience of this kind. However, as we moved past the initial section, things started to get truly interesting and challenging.

One of the most captivating moments of the route was the suspended traverse, also known as Zitterwand (the 3rd C/D in the image below). Here, we had to muster our courage and trust that the steel cable would provide us with enough support.

The route here consists of a series of bolts positioned over a distance of approximately 3.5 meters, spaced about 30cm to 40cm apart. At waist level, a not-too-tight steel cable serves as the safety leverage. The wall into which these bolts are anchored is vertical and doesn’t offer much flexibility to lean too far towards it, to avoid a potential backward imbalance.

After a few good minutes, I decided to tackle it in a crouched position (I know it sounds odd). What can I say? It felt like the optimal approach. You can see the full details in our YouTube video, where the entire story is much more vivid.

For me, at least, it was a bit more challenging compared to Dana. She managed to cross it with an ease that amazed me.

After overcoming this obstacle, the route became more linear and constant. All that remained was a slightly steeper ascent before reaching the first peak of our adventure.

Engelsbrücke

Towards the end, we encountered the crossing over Engelsbrücke, a suspended bridge that offered us impressive panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. The final part of the route led us up a steel ladder, revealing a panorama of the opposite side of the Engelberg area, with the Titlis peak in all its splendor.

Moreover, we completed this route at the end of the day, right after finishing our daily schedule. As the route came to an end, the sunset became increasingly spectacular.

The downside to this approach is that you’ll need to hike back down to Engelberg on foot, likely with a headlamp, just as we did.

Conclusions

This experience was more than just a physical challenge; it was an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. It taught us to push our limits, face our fears, and embrace the unknown. We realized that life is about learning from mistakes and growing with every step taken in the right direction.

Every step we took on this route brought us closer to this type of adventure. Embrace the challenges and discover what you are truly capable of achieving. I believe it is incredibly important to keep your spirit and body active and to never stop exploring.

If this adventure has inspired you, embark on your own journey and enjoy every moment.

For more details about this route, you can visit their official website:
https://brunni.ch/en/Detail/via-ferratas

As an alternative, you can check as well Murren Via Ferrata Gimmelwald..