When Is the Best Time
Usually, the Fürenwand via ferrata is open from the end of May until mid-October depending on ice conditions and temperature. In 2016 it was opened late at mid-June. On the other hand in 2018 the via ferrata was opened May 9 and in 2019 on May 22. If you plan to climb this high wall I recommend June to September to be on the safe side.
Usually, the best months for Fürenwand are August to October. You have to pass a water wall after two-thirds of the via ferrata. At this time of the year, you may not get wet except in 2016 and after heavy rainfall the day before. It is advisable to start early, before midday. Even with less than 20 degrees, it gets hot while climbing. After 12 p.m. the Fürenwand (wall) is sun-exposed..
Best Months to Visit
Location and Tips
Fürenwand is very demanding. The via ferrata has a difficulty of D-E. It lasts about 3 hours with an elevation gain of 765 meters. If you have any fear of heights don't even think about it! This wall is popular and a little busy during weekends and holidays. Experience and stamina are essential for this tough climb. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Especially after the water wall, it became slippery. Check your personal fitness and practice the day before the Zittergrat via ferrata.
It is a 20 minutes’ walk from the car park to the beginning of the via ferrata. You can park outside of the parking lot and save the 5 CHF fee. Walk until the blue sign and a bench, take your harnish here then walk to the left. The bench is the best place to take your climbing gear on because the trailhead is located in the forest where it is steep and difficult to stay. If you have any fear of heights, don't climb this vertical wall. It's challenging always climbing up, and there isn’t any chance to escape. Lots of steel cables, pegs, and stirrups are used, but anyway it is often exposed. The view of the Titlis and Graustock mountain is spectacular. To the left is a waterfall with a rainbow and frequently with a mountain gondola. After two-thirds, is another bench where we made a short break.
Afterwards, you reach the water wall. Usually, you get wet early summer, only dry at the end of summer, but there is no guarantee. We got a shower while climbing for several minutes. Luckily we got told to carry additional clothes in the backpack. To overcome a hangover at the end, you need to climb a 20-meter fixed metal rope ladder. It is done, and you are on the top. From here it's an easy walk for a few hundred meters up to Fürenalp.
First, we went left to a bench and pond to change clothes and to refresh. The view is spectacular, and it is quiet. Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with lunch and an apple "moscht" (similar to cider without gas) at Fürenalp. The mountain hut is located at 1.850 m elevation. On the way back you can either take the mountain gondola or walk back via Stäuber waterfall and mountain hut Stäfeli what we did.
Engelberg has many accommodations, a nice campground at the end of the village close to the mountain gondola station to Fürenalp or stay in a village before in Wolfenschiessen.
