Kroger Via Ferrata - Telluride, Colorado

Sarah D.

Super awesome!! If you have one car, I recommend parking at the bridal veil bottom parking lot and hike the trail up. Lots of waterfalls on the way and then walk that short stretch on the road to the start of the via ferrata. Very well marked. First half is really mellow but second half is fun!! Walk down the road a couple switchbacks to get back to your car at the end! Definitely not for people with fear of heights.

Jonathan C.

Amazing!! Be prepared for the main event which is right after the bench in the wall. Be prepared to spend 3 hours+ on this and bring the correct gear. Falling here would not be good. Go slow and don’t take this lightly as you are in the direct sun most of the day and it takes a lot of upper body strength in lots of places

Jared

Pretty easy hike. The Via Ferrata route wasn’t physically strenuous. Absolutely fantastic views. There were a few wall sections where you have a little bit of a gut check. I felt that this was a great introduction into Via Ferata.

Lee K.

The hike / climb is moderately difficult, but the mental game of overcoming the fear is the real challenge. Despite being cabled in, there are some really challenging portions where you have to keep it together. IMO unless you are an experienced climber, this must be done with a guide, at least the first time. The views are spectacular.

Rob M.

Passing on this info since I couldn’t get much of an idea.

I have outdoor climbing experience, but not VFs. This was fine to do solo. Biggest risk is injuring yourself and needing help. I took a radio and there is phone signal the whole way. The cable gives a false sense of sense of security because it is in places you don’t need it (I skipped some) and not in places you do. You can rent a tether at Jagged Mtn for $25 or $80 at Amazon. Don’t makeshift this or you might break your back.

I was torn between trail runners and backpacking boots. I would have been fine with the runners but was happy with the boots.

Other notes - I left the lot at 9am and 44F. Long sleeves and pants worked well. I hiked the BVF trail but it is a little steep/strenuous and would do the road next time. The trail back is wicked steep and loose in spots.

David R.

Cheap Thrills With Very Little Technical Skill Needed
Via Ferrata is a very fun and relatively safe way to experience some of the exposure, risk and reward of rock climbing without the need for high level physical or technical skill. Climbers should find this route quite easy and enjoyable, while never-evers should seriously consider hiring a guide or going with someone who has a lot of experience. The level of difficulty on this route was less than many 14ers in Colorado such as the Maroon Bells, Crestone Needle, or Capitol Peak, with the added security of well-placed cables and rungs for both safety and ease of travel. Finding the trailhead may be the trickiest part. I started at the east side of the route from the road leading to Bridal Veil Falls. After about four switchbacks on the road, there's a wooden bridge that crosses Ingram Creek. A short hike up a scree path will take you to Kroger's bench and the proper start of the route. Instead of hiking down the gulley at the end of the route, I tracked back on the route to the "upper" trailhead. Round trip time was a leisurely 2 hours 20 minutes with about 4.4 miles of travel.

Mario C.

Decided last minute to try this at the worst time of the year. I Do Not recommend doing this out of season. Snowed over approach and by the time we got to the start of the via ferrata, we were tired, cold and everything was iced-over. Unfortunately, we had to save it for another day and bail. Fun hike nonetheless, but proceed with caution!

Alex H.

The Kroger via ferrata is a fantastic adventure!

Do this hike as an out and back starting from the road switchback on the east end and you will avoid having to cross the private mine property at the west end. Be aware that there may be rock climbers on the wall below the trail and do not kick rocks down.

Learn the trail and the moves going out (westbound), then revel in the views returning back to the starting point.
Don't forget your harness, helmet and proper via ferrata lanyard.