How the Via Ferrata Came to Lake Tahoe

The phrase “via ferrata” means “iron path” in Italian. These protected climbing routes, marked by fixed cables, ladders, and iron rungs, were first built in the Dolomites of northern Italy during World War I. Soldiers installed them to move troops and supplies across exposed alpine terrain. After the war, the routes remained, and climbers began to use them for recreation, blending mountaineering with accessibility.

A European Tradition of Adventure

In the decades that followed, via ferratas spread across the Italian Dolomites, Austrian Alps, French Alps, and Swiss peaks, becoming a beloved style of climbing for locals and travelers. They allowed people to experience big mountain exposure without needing the technical skills of traditional climbing. Today, Europe is home to thousands of via ferratas ranging from family-friendly outings to high-altitude challenges on major peaks.

Crossing the Ocean: Via Ferratas in the U.S.

It wasn’t until the early 2000s that via ferratas began appearing in North America. Mountain towns in Colorado and Utah were some of the first to build routes, recognizing how these systems open the vertical world to a wider audience. Via ferratas quickly became a way to experience iconic landscapes in a new way, from red rock canyons to granite walls.

The Palisades Tahoe Via Ferrata

In 2018, we brought the via ferrata tradition to Olympic Valley, installing the first fixed climbing route of its kind in Lake Tahoe. Built on the iconic cliffs above The Village at Palisades Tahoe, our route blends European-style design with modern safety systems. Climbers clip into a steel cable and use iron rungs, monkey bridges, and ladders to ascend the walls that loom above the valley

Building the Tahoe Via Ferrata

When the idea of bringing a via ferrata to Lake Tahoe was first proposed, the goal was clear: create a safe, accessible way for people to experience the dramatic walls of Olympic Valley. The cliffs above The Village at Palisades Tahoe had long caught the eye of climbers and skiers, but the steep terrain meant it was out of reach for most. Designing the route took careful planning—engineers and professional guides worked together to map lines that would balance exposure and thrill with safety and accessibility. The result was a modern installation of iron rungs, monkey bridges, and fixed cables anchored securely into the granite. By 2018, the Tahoe Via Ferrata was complete, opening a whole new vertical world in one of California’s most iconic mountain valleys.

Climbing in Olympic Valley

A Growing Legacy in Tahoe
Since its installation, the Tahoe Via Ferrata has quickly become one of the region’s standout outdoor adventures. It carries forward the European tradition of blending accessibility with alpine exposure, but with modern equipment and guiding standards that meet today’s highest safety expectations. Each year, thousands of climbers—many of whom have never climbed before—clip into the system and make their way up Tram Face. The impact goes beyond individual accomplishments; the Via has added a new dimension to Tahoe’s adventure culture, giving locals and visitors a chance to see the valley from a perspective once reserved only for climbers. Guides often say the best part of the job is watching someone finish a climb and realize they’ve just done something they thought was impossible. In that way, the Via Ferrata has become more than a route—it’s a tradition of challenge, achievement, and community that continues to grow year after year.

Our Palisades Tahoe Via Ferrata offers guided climbs with three options—2-hour, 3-hour, and 4-hour tours. Climbs can be booked as private tours for your own group or as open enrollment tours where you’ll join other adventurers on the wall. Whether it’s your first time on the rock or you’re an experienced adventurer looking for a new way to see Tahoe, the via ferrata delivers unbeatable views of Olympic Valley, the surrounding Sierra, and the Olympic peaks that define the landscape. It’s a chance to step into climbing history—right here in Lake Tahoe.