You don't need to go to the Alps to do via ferrata. Between Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, the Eifel and Wallonia hide varied routes, easy to reach from the Benelux, north-eastern France and western Germany, in deep valleys, below castles or above the Meuse. Here is our selection, including several routes we have done ourselves.
Neuerburg (Eifel, Germany)
The small town of Neuerburg, near the Luxembourg border, is an ideal starting point: three via ferratas in the same place, to combine according to your level, on the slate rocks of the Enz valley.
- Die Burg · F to PD · perfect for beginners or with children.
- Ritterstieg · PD to AD · our favourite: an original circuit of about 4.5 km alternating cable sections and paths, right in the town, with possible bypasses. Views of the town, the tower, the old cemetery, the Enz waterfalls… and the castle to finish.
- Pestfriedhof · PD to D+ · to step up a level.
Manderscheid (Eifel, Germany)
The BurgenKletterSteig is one of the finest via ferratas in Germany outside the Alps: a suspension bridge of about 60 m, airy sections and a spectacular view of the two medieval castles (Oberburg and Niederburg), among forests and volcanic rocks. Very well protected, it remains accessible.
- Niederburg stage · F à D · several sections of different levels.
- Lieser stage · AD · along the Lieser river.
Moselle and Rhine valleys (Germany)
- Collis – Zell (Mosel) · above the Moselle vineyards (grade to be confirmed: check the route page before you go).
- Rabenacksteig – Rheinsteig · F+ · easy, on the famous Rheinsteig trail.
Wallonia (Belgium)
- SteBa – Dinant · F to PD · on the banks of the Meuse, ideal for a first time.
- L'Attaque au Diable – Andenne · PD+.
- Les Grands Malades – Namur · D · sustained, with a final abseil; access through a code-locked gate (ask the Belgian Alpine Club), reserved for insured members of an affiliated club.
- Landelies (Hainaut) · D · same access arrangement through the Belgian Alpine Club.
And nearby
Further south, in the Vosges: La Source de la Moselle – Bussang (PD to AD). To find other via ferratas near you, type your town in “Where?” on the Via ferrata page.
Our tips for these regions
- The via ferratas of the Eifel and Wallonia are low : they can be done almost all year round, but slate and limestone become very slippery in the rain. Aim for dry days.
- In Germany, signs use the A to F scale (see Understanding grades).
- In Belgium, several via ferratas are managed by the Belgian Alpine Club: check the access conditions before you go.
- Always check that it is open (works, closures) on site or with the tourist office.
First time? Start with our guide Getting started with via ferrata. Done one of these routes? Leave a review and your photos on its page: it helps the whole community.