Romsdalsstigen Via Ferrata - Introwall

Posted By : Lc100
Not a huge fan of heights so tried this and loved it. Guide was amazing, took everything very slow, 100% focused on safety. Amazing views and perfect weather. Still need to have some strength to climb vertical sections. Carry a light backpack (Camelback ideal for ease of eater access). Picnic rest bench for some BYO snacks - epic view!
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Posted On : 2023-10-08

Posted By : scottcaps
My 17 year old son and I reserved a Noon guided intro wall via ferrata two months in advance of our port day on a cruise. The Norsk Tindesenter (Mountaineering Center) is right at the pier in town, in a beautifully designed building. We checked in and were given our climbing harness and helmet. Note that gloves are required (I had purchased some belaying gloves on Amazon to bring with me), but they also have gloves there that you can buy and keep. Shoes with a good hiking tread are essential, but they also have hiking boots there that you can rent. There were five guests in our group and our guide was Jorund. Bring a backpack with water and to store extra layers of clothes suitable for the weather. We were fortunate to have a partly sunny day and were actually hot during the climb, but at the top of the mountain, it was cooler, so we were glad for the additional layer. You can have a cell phone or camera, but it needs to be in a zippered pocket - otherwise, you will drop it. Might also be good to have a strap on it for when you are at places where you can get it out for use. Even though this is called the intro wall and does say that it is for beginners, this is not easy. I am 56 and in decent shape, but this was very challenging for me. Some good upper body strength and leg strength & flexibility is required. If you are scared of heights, this is not for you. There is a combination of metal rungs, boards, small metal footholds, rock edges, and belay rings that you will be using as both hand and foot holds. My biggest struggle was that I am only 5'1" and not the most flexible of my life and there were at least 3 places where I really had a hard time as the metal assistants were just too far apart for me to reach. I did lose my foothold at one of these and I did fall, but the safety harness and equipment worked exactly as it is supposed to, allowing me to only fall a few feet and I was easily able to reach back on to the metal trail. I had a couple of small cuts and bruises, but was able to keep going to finish. Jorund was amazing, very encouraging and supportive to everyone in our group. He told us stories about being a guide and his life in Norway and was all around a great guide that made all of us feel comfortable. He did use a rope to assist me in two of the difficult places for me. My son had no difficulties and loved his experience. The scenery from everywhere along the climb was amazing and there were plenty of places to safely take pictures. The guided part of the climb takes you a little bit more than halfway up the mountain where there is then a short hike to then reach the main hiking trail that goes from town to the top gondola station. You have a choice of walking back down with the guide to the mountaineering center (45 minutes), or you can elect to continue on your own up the trail. Note that you must take your helmet and harness with you to turn back into the mountaineering center. My son and I did elect to continue up the trail, where we went to the Rampestreken Viewpoint on the way up and then to the to the gondola station (took us an hour total), had a snack from the Cafe there, then took the gondola back down to town. This was a steep hike with lots of steps, and we were already tired from the climbing, but we were still happy we did the extra hike up. The gondola station in town is next door to the Mountaineering Center. Overall, this was a great experience, and I am proud of myself for trying it and completing it (with a little assistance, thanks to Jorund). Just make sure you are fully aware of what this entails before signing up.
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Posted On : 2023-08-12

Posted By : frothapro
Had a great climb with lovely weather and good company. Nice view and well made route for beginners. Next time I'd like to try the more advanced route
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Posted On : 2022-09-11

Posted By : jasonrQ4986QF
We really enjoyed our first via ferrata. We are experienced climbers so I thought that the intro wall might be a little tame. But although there were some long easy sections there were also some more sporting sections and plenty of interest overall. Should also be straightforward enough for fit non-climbers so long as you have a head for heights. It's basically Go Ape on a cliff face.
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Posted On : 2022-08-13

Posted By : strommern
The route is perfekt for beginners. I'm totaly green on climbing, but the route is so well prepared with steps and security wire it's more like an advanced stair. You will feel the hight, and feel and be safe. Our guide (Peder) is professional If you not have tried via ferratta you will be hooked after hvis tour.
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Posted On : 2022-07-13

Posted By : David_P
My wife's highlight of the trip! We had done a via feratta in Peru, so we had a pretty good idea of what we were getting into on this activity. Our expectations were surpassed entirely by Stian (the guide), the equipment, and the views. While it was tough (you have to be fit to do this comfortably), safety was never a concern. The cables, brackets, and anchors were in good shape, and I never felt any flex or give in them. My wife (and the pictures verify this) reports the views were amazing. I'm scared of heights, so I focused on the mountain and, with Stain's help, was able to do the climb semi-comfortably. ;-) For us, the only downside was the trail down the hill. It was pretty rough, rutted, and steep. Had we known, I think we would have brought hiking poles.
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Posted On : 2022-06-27

Posted By : hegeh737
First time we did a Via Ferrate and did not really know what to expect. Fantastic experience with a very capable and safe instructor. It was so much fun! After a clear introduction and small training, up we went and was rewarded with an amazing view of the fjord and mountains! We did it in light rain, and it was still fantastic!
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Posted On : 2022-06-15

Posted By : Q6997OBtimd
The Intro Wall was my first attempt at a via ferrata. It was a manageable climb and the views were unbelievable. If you are looking for more of a challenge, the Romsdalsstigen via ferrata West Wall may be for you, but I have not done that climb. From the top of the Intro Wall you have a choice of walking down the hiking trail or heading up to the top (which is a bit of a hike). I headed to the top and stopped at the Rampestreken Viewpoint on the way up. If you go to the top, you can take the Romsdalen Gondola down. An adult one-way ticket down costs 300 NOK (roughly $30), and will drop you off right near the Norsk Tindesenter, which is where I met my guide in the morning and also where I needed to drop off my gear at the end of the day. I had a great day with great weather, and I am very glad I was able to do the climb.
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Posted On : 2022-06-11

Posted By : Antony H
Great experience doing this via ferrata. I have done it before in Canada which was amazing, but doing it by the fjord is a whole other experience! Perfect weather for it and was great to finish, hike up to the gondola and then have a beer. We had a friendly Swedish guide name Aksel who was patient with out Australian/Norwegian, helpful and knowledgable about the area as well. He also gave us a recommendation of a hike to do the next day, and we ended up taking his advice and that hike was phenomenal too. The only things I would say is if you do not have a base level of fitness already, then it may not be for you, as you need to either hike down from the end, or hike up to the gondola and then pay for that to come down. There is a bit of a walk to the starting point as well
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Posted On : 2022-06-07

Posted By : johnwP9303VF
Great experience and rewarded with fantastic views. The good weather on the day helped. Also good learning curve / intro to rock climbing
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Posted On : 2021-09-15