DIAVOLO
ANDERMATT, URI, SWITZERLAND
K2-3Â climb
VIA FERRATA (PD)
PHYSICAL RATING: 1
VERTIGO RATING: 1
TECHNICAL RATING: 1
SUMMIT: 3
STYLE: CLIMB
SATISFACTION: 3
STATISTICS
Departure Altitude: 1436m
Arrival Altitude: 1900m
Climb (or descent): 464m
Length: 700m
Time: 2Â hours
SPECIAL FEATURES
Footbridge: 0
Monkey Bridge: 0
Ladder: 2
Zip Line: 0
Net: 0
ACCESSIBILITY
Open: June to October
Parking:
By car, you can park at Teufelsbrücke, but spaces are limited and it is not encouraged for long stay.  There are lots of spaces nearer the train station where you park for the cable car in winter, about 10-15 min walk away.
By train, take train to Andermatt train station, via ferrata is about a 15 min walk from there, clearly signposted "Klettersteig" or Teufelsbrücke.
WHAT TO KNOW!
The legendary Diavolo Via Ferrata above the spectacular Devil's Bridge (Teufelsbrücke), just 10 minutes from Andermatt village.
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A really enjoyable beginner (PD/K2-3/B-C) course for those who want to start VF, or simply want to do a good course that is not to challenging. The views of the gorge as you climb are excellent, and the summit is really rewarding.
About 700m of cable, 600 simples, 145 hooking points and a total altitude gain of about 464m. It is not a short course, but there are a few good rest spots, especially a bench about 3/4 of the way up. Be aware there are no escape routes, so you need to be committed for 2 hours of climbing.
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The course starts literally next to the Suvorov Russian Memorial, here you will see a small sign where you can download via QR code more info about the climb. Put on all your gear here, then it is a short walk along to the start of the climb. The first section is probably the most challenging but it really isn't very difficult. You need to have good shoes and because the whole course is granite it is best to do this course on a dry day, as I would imagine in rain it will be very slippery. There is a mix of climbing, walking, climbing on this course. Each section has rewards, but i really enjoyed the long plateau climb parts, they are great fun. This course is actually easier for kids in one sense because the small simples and the sometimes light gradient can be a bit of a pain for taller people's backs!
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Just before the end of the course there is the famous beer tap, then it is a vertical clamber up to the flag at the top and wonderful views of the gorge, of Andermatt and also up to the Furka and Gotthard passes.
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From there it is a 15 min walk along to join the main path back down to the village, which will take about an hour. Overall 15 mins from station, 2 hours for climbing, 1 hour descent - 3.5 hours is plenty!
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One final thing: as you walk to the course from the station look out for the Swiss Army Via Ferrata which is not allowed to be used, but a nice little "Klettersteig Easter Egg" to find!
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