visentin wrote:I think the Via Ferrata (Klettersteig in German) are just too various in Europe; I imagine many were initiated for pragmatic reasons you pointed; the most recent were designed and built to provide the most fun in what we call nowadays the via-ferrata sport. But meantime many of them were made in order to ease the task for passing few complicated spots that prevented a whole route with medium difficulty to be done by the majority.
It is the case in the Pyrenees for one of the only of this kind, as they are almost not existing in the range, under the Brèche de Roland called "Le pas des isards", to provide access to the East and all the rest of the Monte Perdido routes; just a too stragegic spot.
In the Tatras, all valleys are sharp and end with jagged ridges; many passages provide access to the other side and the other valley but this requires most of the time some III/IV scrambling or rock-climbing. As the range is extremely popular and visited by crowds, chains are there to help and consequently allow a network of trails for all, instead of what would be a star-shaped bunch of valleys in cul-de-sac.
I don't know much the Alps, and the only equipments of this kind I've seen were in Slovenia. On Triglav for example I guess their role is pretty much the same, allow the summit for the majority, however more dedicated to the via-ferrata sport in other routes. Perhaps Borut can tell.
Thanks Erico, I"ve always wonder how this form of route 'management' came to be. It seems you are saying that the via ferrata routes origination varies. Some are more historic, some are more modern, some are for pure fun, and others -perhaps- served a purpose other than fun/exploration.
I searched 'via ferrata' here on summitpost and 75 routes came up. There seems to be a lot in the northern italy and Austria. Although they are in a lot of different mountain ranges. I don't know of any here in the US.
I DO recall on crazy one in China. Though can't find it right now.
Thx again. And if someone Else has more info. Please share...