Private Via Ferrata Course
Build confidence on rock, step by step.
½ day | Beginner | Brunnistöckli & Zittergrat | Private mountain guide
Private via ferrata course Engelberg for beginners, families and private groups. You learn via ferratas to plan independently and navigate safely – with theory, training and plenty of practical experience in the mountains.
We start on the easy Brunnistöckli route before progressing to the more challenging Zittergrat if everyone feels comfortable.
With your own private guide, we tailor the date, pace and course content to your needs.
Content
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Private via ferrata course Engelberg – training & practice
The aim of the course is not simply to guide you through a via ferrata. You are to understand how to plan a via ferrata, what equipment you need and how to move safely and efficiently along the steel cable.
After the course, you have the basics to to independently select, plan and tackle easy via ferratas.
Region: Brunni, Engelberg
Category: Private via ferrata introductory course
Level: Beginners and/or families
Duration: approx. ½ day
Participants: Private group
Via ferratas Brunnistöckli & Zittergrat
Price: CHF 550.–
Material: Via ferrata equipment can be hired, CHF25/person
Training objective: Planning and tackling via ferratas independently
Highlights: Personal training, route planning, guided tours Brunnistöckli & Zittergrat
Course content
✓ Plan via ferratas independently
✓ Accurately assessing difficulties
✓ Assess weather & storm risk
✓ Using via ferrata equipment correctly
✓ Safe attachment and detachment
✓ Efficient movement on rock
✓ Pacing yourself properly
✓ Recognising hazards on via ferratas
✓ Additional safety rope for children under 40 kg
✓ Troubleshooting when things don't go to plan…
✓ Tips for further via ferratas at your level in Central Switzerland and the Alps
Who is the course suitable for?
The course is aimed at Beginners, couples or families, who would like to gain their first experience on a via ferrata.
You don't need any climbing experience.
You should:
✓ have a normal baseline level of fitness
✓ be sure-footed
✓ not suffer from a severe fear of heights
✓ Enjoy scrambling and being active in the mountains
As we’re travelling privately, we can tailor the pace and difficulty to suit each person’s needs.
Via ferrata with children
Via ferrata routes are a really cool mountain experience for the whole family. Children get to scramble, climb ladders and move along the steel cable – and often have far more fun doing so than on a normal hike.
Together, you’ll reach places you wouldn’t be able to get to on a normal hiking trail.
It is important to note that: Children should be challenged, but not overwhelmed.
The Brunnistöckli is ideal for this. The via ferrata is easy and well suited to children who are used to walking in the mountains.
If the kids are a bit older and still up for it after the Brunnistöckli, we can do the Zittergrat afterwards.
Anyone who doesn’t want to come along can stay at the playground, watch or enjoy an ice cream. Around Brunni, the via ferrata day can be perfectly rounded off with Playgrounds and marble runs combine.
Another key aspect of the training for parents is the Additional rope safety measure for children weighing under 40 kg. I’ll show you when it’s a good idea and how you can keep your child even safer.
Prepare at a Pre-Season CampProgramme
Theory & Route Planning
08:30 – 09:15 (Time and meeting point to be agreed)
We’ll start off at a leisurely pace with a coffee.
Together, we’ll look at the basics for your next independent via ferrata routes:
✓ What difficulties are there?
✓ Which difficulty level is right for me?
✓ How do I read a weather forecast?
✓ When do thunderstorms become a problem?
✓ What equipment do I need?
✓ Where can I find reliable information about tours?
✓ Which via ferratas are suitable in Central Switzerland and the Alps?
After that, it’s time to put theory into practice:
Brunnistöckli – the perfect place to start
09:30 – 11:00
The Brunnistöckli For me, it’s the ideal via ferrata for beginners in Engelberg.
The challenges are manageable and we have plenty of time to familiarise ourselves with the via ferrata kit, belaying techniques and climbing techniques.
Even so, the route already offers everything that makes a via ferrata exciting: rock, steel cables, ladders and a bit of space beneath your feet.
Here we build up our confidence and feel secure, ready for the next step: the Zittergrat.
Brunnistöckli infoZittergrat – the perfect progression
11:00 – 13:00
If you feel good after the Brunnistöckli and want a bit more, it continues on to the Zittergrat.
It is steeper and more exposed. Now you can apply the technique you learned earlier directly in more demanding terrain.
Whether we do the Zittergrat we will decide together. There is no must.
Information ZittergratCost
The private via ferrata introductory course is tailored individually to you, your group or your family.
Private lesson
1-3 people. Each additional person CHF 30 up to a maximum of 8 people. Children free.
CHF 550.– Flat rate
Included
✓ Organisation & Tour Planning
✓ Private guiding by IFMGA mountain guide
✓ Theory module & tour planning
✓ Via ferrata training
✓ Brunnistöckli & optional Zittergrat
✓ Additional safety rope for children (if required)
✓ Tips for your next independent via ferrata
Not included
✗ Mountain railways
✗ Personal catering
✗ Personal via ferrata equipment
✗ Rental equipment as required
Equipment
For the day you will need:
✓ Climbing harness
✓ Via ferrata kit
✓ Helm
✓ Good walking or mountaineering boots
✓ Small water bottle
✓ Weather-appropriate clothing
✓ Sunglasses & sun cream
A climbing harness, helmet and via ferrata set can be hired from me if required. CHF25/person.
hire equipmentEnquire or book now:
Questions?
Is the course suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. That is precisely what the introductory course is for. You don't need any experience on via ferratas or climbing.
Is the via ferrata course suitable for children?
Yes. The Brunnistöckli is ideally suited for mountain-capable and motivated children. We adapt the pace and itinerary individually.
How are children secured?
Children can be secured with an additional rope in addition to the via ferrata set. Especially for children under 40 kg, additional belaying is an important training content of the course.
Do I have to do the trembling ridge?
No. After the Brunnistöckli we'll decide together. If motivation, ability and conditions are right, the Zittergrat is a perfect step up.
Can I do via ferratas independently after the course?
That is precisely the training objective. After the course, you will know the basics of route planning, difficulty assessment, weather, equipment and safety, and will be able to plan suitable, straightforward via ferratas independently.
How long does the course last?
Allow about half a day. We have plenty of time for theory, training at the Brunnistöckli and – if time permits – the Zittergrat.
Where does the via ferrata course take place?
The course takes place in Brunni area in Engelberg Instead. For training, we mainly use the Brunnistöckli and – if ability and motivation allow – afterwards the Zittergrat.
How do I get there?
From Engelberg village you travel by the Brunni cable car to Ristis and then continue by chairlift to the Brunnihütte. From there it is only a few minutes to the start of the Brunnistöckli via ferrata.
The GA and Half-Fare travelcard are valid on mountain railways. Children travel for free.