Klettersteig "Indianer", Netstal

A new via ferrata in the Glarus valley? It was a well-kept secret to me until tricky and Alpin Rise published their reports. Time for an exploration...

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The "Indianerkopf" rock, on which the via ferrata is built, is clearly visible from Netstal railway station. From the station, we cross the river and head towards the "Schlattstein" boulder. Instead of following the marked hiking path around the back of the boulder, we keep on the unpaved road direction "Feuerstelle". Immediately after the bridge crossing the Schlattbach, we turn right. Less than a minute later, in a clearing, there's a small path to the right again, with a sign that reads "Indi". From here, following orange markings, the path soon starts to climb steeply towards the foot of the Indianerkopf.

The via ferrata begins with a lot of small iron pegs towards an antique phone that's anchored to the rock, next to the entrance of a small cave. The cable leads through the cave and subsequently turns sharply back on itself to climb to the Indianerkopf summit. There's a log book here, but this is nowhere near the end of the fun. The via ferrata continues on the other side of the small summit plateau, now in the west face that is visible from Netstal. A short down-climb brings us to the small tyrolienne that connects the Indianerkopf with the taller neighbouring rocks. No special equipment is necessary for the tyrolienne. It is pretty slow as well, so you don't need to fear smashing into the opposite wall, as for example in Kandersteg... Shortly after the tyrolienne, there's an "emergency exit". The main route continues with an exposed traverse, a short climb, another airy and slightly overhanging traverse and a final climb to the top of the route. There are always plenty of iron holds available (maybe even too many). Don't immediately take off your harness and via ferrata set at the top, because there's one more via-ferrata passage across a chasm on the way out!
Overall grade K4+ (K4- until the emergency exit).

The way out ascends slightly towards P. 713, by the Schlattbach waterfall. From here, we descend back down to the Schlattstein by forrest road and hiking path.

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The Indianer via ferrata is pretty short and I would have preferred a bit more contact with the rock. On the other hand, the route has some fun elements (the small tyrolienne in particular). The biggest advantage of the Indianer is the easy access from the Zürich area. The via ferrata can easily be done as a half-day trip or in summer as an after-work climb, even when using publish transport. Thanks to the low altitude, the route should be accessible during most of the year, though beware of possibly icy approach and descent paths in winter.