Via Ferrata del Diavolo

The Via Ferrata del Diavolo in Andermatt is a rather short route without much interesting possibilities to extend it with a longer hike. Hence it is a perfect Feierabendtour, even coming from as far as Zürich. Pascal had responded to a message I posted on kletterportal.ch, and we met up at 6.30 pm at the Teufelsbrücke on the road between Göschenen and Andermatt. The wild Schöllenen gorge here is the site of popular myths involving the devil (hence the name of the via ferrata). It is also the site of the Suworow monument, the starting point of the route which ascends the eastern side of the gorge.

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The via ferrata is rather easy and suitable for beginners. There are a lot of iron rungs, usually alternating left-right-left-right, such that they can be climbed pretty much like a staircase, often without needing to use your hands at all. Things get a little more interesting around halfway, with another such 'staircase', but this one a little more vertical. Afterwards the route is more varied with slightly more rock contact, perhaps bringing the grade up to an easyish K3. The views are a little blemished by the busy main road down at the bottom of the gorge and by the massive construction sites in Andermatt. Luckily, the wild rocky canyon itself and the views towards the Winterhorn provide plenty of distraction from those human constructions.

We find some pleasant evening sunshine towards the upper end of the via ferrata. Just after the exit of the route, a bench by a Swiss flag invites us to take a break. The walk-out starts with a little more ascent, until we hit a junction with a sign post. From here, a path goes down towards Andermatt with countless zigzags, in between woods and avalanche galleries in disrepair. The path only loses altitude rather slowly and the descent takes a little longer than expected. Finally, we hit the outskirts of Andermatt, where the hiking path back towards the Teufelsbrücke goes on top of the gallery containing the road and the railway. A sudden spiral staircase drops us down to street level and the car park is just ahead.

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Build in 1997, the Diavolo via ferrata is one of the oldest in Switzerland. In the meantime, many more interesting and challenging routes have been built. Ambitious ferratisti might find it a shame to 'waste' and entire sunny weekend day on it. However, as an after-work trip to enjoy a nice summer evening (especially since those have been all too rare these past weeks) the via ferrata served perfectly. The route is also well suited for beginners.