Starting out?

Although I dont imagine either are as stunning as the Via Ferrata in the Dolomites, surely the Elie chain walk along the sea cliffs would be regarded as a UK Via Ferrata and thats beens there for a few years now.

They're claiming that it's the first UK via ferrata. I have a vague feeling that there's somewhere else as well other than the one you mention though.

It's certainly an interesting idea and a good example of diversification. The Press trip looks fun with the helicopter flight over it too.

I'm not too sure how well their plans to follow it up with one on Clogwyn Y Person Arete once the new cafe on Snowdon's finished will go down though - to make the route from CYPA to the summit safe means they'll have to "protect" Crib Y Ddysgl too, and that's part of the Snowdon Horseshoe.

Without wanting to appear pedantic - the headline says "First UK" while the text later claims "first in England". Most folk are aware that there's a coastal "chain path" in Scotland, for instance.

If this was happening on a 'virgin' crag, I'd probably be up in arms about it, but the Honister Mine is essentially an industrial landscape, not a natural one. I've often looked at some of the exposed looking mining paths from a safe distance, and wondered what they'd be like to follow. I guess I now have the chance to do it!

I have heard a rumour that they are thinking of doing a Via Ferrata ladder on the west face of the Inn Pin (where you normally ab off from) so that the non climbing Munro baggers don't have to hire a guide etc

I heard that one too Frank

Get back under your bridges and behave yourselves you two! ;-)

It's about time the frcc pulled their finger out and completed their proposed via ferrata on Broad Stand http://www.frcc.co.uk/club/Documents/chronicle.pdf

:-)

Most folk are aware that there's a coastal "chain path" in Scotland, for instance.

Where's that and is it any good?

There's already a length of metal wire at the top of the In Pinn, but alas no rifugi. Plans to run helicopter flights over the Cuillin were thwarted, mercifully.

Stephen - Fraid I haven't sampled it, but I'm told it's quite exciting. It runs between Elie and Shell Bay, between Earlsferry and Lower Largo.

Elie Chain Walk

Never done it but, as it's just up the road, I'll put it on my to-do list.

That In Pinn is long overdue for some bolting IMO :o)))

Paddy - cheers. My wife sometimes sails at Elie so next time she's doing that I'll maybe take a look.

Kev: thanks for the link - that looks fun.

I reckon the Fleetwith route will be good fun actually, having done the mine tour some of the views are pretty spectacular and surprisingly vertigo-inducing when you poke your head out into the daylight! I bet it'll be popular and good on em I say, it's a great idea.

I hope you are winding me up, when you post about via ferrata,s on places like Clogwyn Y Person Arete and the Inn Pinn!!!

Well as far as I know the Inn Pinn story is only a rumour at this stage.

I believe the proposal is to rename it as the Via Pinn.

I'm sure that there IS actually a section of via ferrata on a mountain in Scotland already. But I'm b8ggered if I can remember which one. . .

I can recommend the Elie chain path, it's good fun. You don't need a helmet and VF kit, but (unlike the Dolomites) it's as well to check the tide tables before setting out. I believe people get stranded most years.