10 of the Best Via Ferratas in Canada
“It’s okay to cry on the Via Ferrata. Climbing next to the waterfall, no one will be able to see your tears.”
Fridjon, an Icelandic guide with CMH Summer Adventures, delivers his safety speech with a sassy smirk. He’s briefing us on what to expect on our journey up the Zillmer Canyon Via Ferrata, an ancient slot canyon carved over centuries by a glacier-fed waterfall that still thunders through it today. Towering more than 600 metres high, this dramatic canyon is now accessible thanks to the fixed cables and iron rungs that define a Via Ferrata—one of three CMH offers—and arguably one of the most thrilling adventures in the Canadian Rockies.
The next morning, we fly by helicopter to the base of the waterfall. The flow is so powerful this year that we avoid the route closest to the water for safety. Even so, I’m soaked halfway through the climb. A series of ziplines, suspension bridges, balance beams and steel rungs hammered into the canyon walls guide us upward; we are secured by fixed ropes. It’s exhilarating. And humbling. The physical obstacles are manageable, but the mental ones hit hardest. Looking down at the rushing whitewater below, I feel the height in every twitching muscle.
Zillmer Canyon may be one of the most dramatic Via Ferratas in the Rockies, but it’s just one of many accessible and adrenaline-pumping such climbs across Canada. Originally developed in Italy’s Dolomites during World War I as “iron paths” for soldiers, Via Ferratas now let climbers of all levels tackle exposed rock faces safely. From British Columbia’s alpine routes to Quebec’s cliffside traverses, these fixed-cable adventures combine spectacular views with heart-pounding thrills. Here are 10 to add to your bucket-list.
1. Zillmer Canyon Via Ferrata
This Via Ferrata, located deep in the rugged Cariboo Mountains of British Columbia, is divided into two sections. The lower waterfall offers three routes ranging from beginner to advanced, determining how close you climb to the falls and features ziplines, balance beams, bridges and overhanging climbs. The optional second section winds through a valley teeming with wildflowers, glaciers and waterfalls, briefly following another cascade (another perfect cover for your tears) before a steep climb to the helicopter pickup point.
Tears per Meter (TpM): Level 4 – Ugly Cry Zone: Tears, snot and trembling legs. Any camera footage will need censoring.
Duration: Full Day
Cost: Included with a summer heli-hiking package
Opening Times: July to August and accessible only by booking a heli-hiking package with CMH Summer Adventures
2. Via Ferrata La Charlevoix
The Via Ferrata La Charlevoix, offered by Projet Vertical at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in La Malbaie, Québec, spans over 500 metres along a cliffside overlooking the St. Lawrence River and kicks off with an epic zipline off the roof of the hotel. This intermediate-level route combines rock climbing with elements like wooden bridges, a monkey bridge and tightrope, all set in a stunning natural landscape. It’s one of the few Via Ferratas open year-round, and in winter you can always pretend your tears are just icicles stuck to your face.
TpM: Level 3 – Full Tear Tracks: The tears are flowing enough to leave streaks. Handgrips are a little slippery. You question your life choices but still smile for photos.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: $89.99 + tax
Opening Times: Year-round
3. Mount Nimbus Via Ferrata
The Mount Nimbus Via Ferrata, located at CMH Bobbie Burns Lodge in BC, is North America’s longest and highest Via Ferrata. This exhilarating half- or full-day adventure allows climbers to traverse steel rungs, cross a stunning 600-metre-high suspension bridge and summit towering granite peaks, quite possibly while crying with fear, but at least the views and the bragging rights are worth it.
TpM: Level 5 – Niagara Falls: An uncontrollable torrent. Mascara—or whatever you wore—fully sacrificed. Your harness is now soddened with salt water. (But at least only the iron rungs know your shame.)
Duration: 5-8 hours
Cost: Included with a summer heli-hiking package
Opening Times: July to August and accessible only by booking a heli-hiking package with CMH Summer Adventures
4. The Fox Via Ferrata
The Fox is a thrilling beginner Via Ferrata, climbing nearly 200 metres up a sheer cliff face with jaw-dropping views of Abraham Lake below. Located just two hours north of Banff, Alberta, this Via Ferrata was the first of its kind in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. It’s the perfect escape for adventure seekers with a reasonable level of hiking fitness who want to leave behind the crowds of the nearby national park. Wipe your eyes and blow your nose before finishing the day with a moderate hike back to the valley floor.
TpM: Level 2 – Gentle Sniffles: Some nervous laughter, a small whimper and maybe a dramatic sigh. Manageable, but you’ll tell your friends it was “spicy.”
Duration: 4 hours
Cost: A guided tour with Girth Hitch Guiding starts from $149
Opening Times: Mid-April to Mid-October
5. Sea to Sky Gondola—Squamish Via Ferrata
The Squamish Via Ferrata at Sea to Sky Gondola offers a guided climbing adventure suitable for ages eight and up. Participants ascend glacier-worn granite slabs, traverse a catwalk and cross suspended bridges. The journey culminates near the Summit Lodge viewing deck, providing panoramic views of Howe Sound and the surrounding mountains (occasionally accompanied by the distant sound of an adult crying).
TpM: Level 1 – Misty Eyes: Barely a glisten. More sweat than tears. A child could do it (and probably will, while laughing at you).
Duration: 1.5 hours
Cost: Book with Mountain Skills Academy, starting at $99
Opening Times: Year-round
6. Chute à Philomène Via Ferrata
Western Canada doesn’t get to hog all the waterfall cover for your tears. Gaspésie in Québec offers its own exciting Via Ferrata adventure next to Philomène Falls. Beginning with a 30-metre suspended footbridge, climbers scale a 300-metre rock face using fixed rungs and beams before reaching the top of the 33-metre waterfall. The adventure ends with an exhilarating 80-meter zipline back to the base, offering scenic, sometimes water-logged, views along the way.
TpM: Level 2 – Gentle Sniffles
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: $72 for adults and $52 for children aged 10-17
Opening Times: Operated by the Coopérative de Plein Air de la Matapédia from mid-June to mid-September
7. Via Ferrata at Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay
This Via Ferrata offers a tear-jerker of a climbing experience along the dramatic cliffs of Baie Éternité. This adventure features three distinct routes, each providing unique perspectives of the Saguenay Fjord: L’Odyssée, an advanced 850-metre route that includes an inverted ladder, suspension bridge and a 17-metre monkey bridge, culminating at one of the park’s highest peaks; La Grande Dalle, 570-metre intermediate path offering a nine metre inverted ladder and vistas above the fjord; La Passerelle, a 295-metre intermediate route featuring an 85-metre-long suspension bridge, providing an exciting (and misty-eyed) crossing over the abyss.
TpM: Level 3 – Full Tear Tracks (La Grande Dalle and La Passerelle) to Level 4 – Ugly Cry Zone (L’Odyssée)
Duration: 3-6 hours
Cost: From $64.75 for adults and $48.50 for children (12 to 17 unless attempting L’Odyssée where the minimum age is 14)
Opening Times: End of May to mid-October
(Note: This Via Ferrata is closed for the rest of the 2025 season due to maintenance on the rock wall.)
8. Via Ferrata du Diable Parc National du Mont-Tremblant
Choose one of three main circuits, each providing unique challenges and stunning views of the highlands and the Rivière du Diable (along with matching levels of crying, from light misting to full waterfall). The beginner L’Excursion is a gentle introduction along a 200-metre-high rock wall, where participants move at their own pace crossing two beams and a walkway. The Intermediate route is just as described in its title and includes two walkways and a few beams, leading to the highest point of Vache Noire mountain featuring spectacular vistas. The Great Escape is the most challenging route, featuring walkways, beams, a rope bridge and a Nepalese bridge. It culminates at the mountain peak where you can admire the sunset through your tears.
TpM: Level 2 – Gentle Sniffles to Level 4 – Ugly Cry Zone
Duration: 3.5 to 5.5 hours
Cost: From $63.75 for adults and $45.75 for children (11 to 17 unless attempting The Great Escape/Sunset Tour where the minimum age is 14)
Opening Times: June to October
9. Via Ferrata at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Located on the north face of Terminator Peak, just outside Golden, BC, climbers of all levels can choose from three routes. Pioneer Route is a beginner-friendly introduction to Via Ferrata, featuring a short climb and a crossing of the Hanging Glory suspension bridge. Discovery Route offers a more technical, intermediate challenge with iron rungs, suspension bridges and sections of exposure. For advanced climbers, the Ascension Route is a demanding 465-metre climb to the summit, including a traverse of “Guts Bridge” and rewarding views of the surrounding mountain ranges (if you can manage to see them through your tears).
TpM: Level 1 – Misty Eyes to Level 3 – Full Tear Tracks
Duration: 1-3 hours
Cost: Starting from $155 (minimum age is 12)
Opening Times: June to September (reopening in 2026)
10. Mount Norquay Via Ferrata
At this Via Ferrata located in Banff National Park, Alberta, climbers can choose from five guided routes ranging from beginner-friendly to full-day challenges. The Explorer is a perfect introduction to the iron rungs, featuring a short climb and suspension bridge. The Ridgewalker extends along exposed cliffs and buttresses with sweeping views. For more adventure, the Alpinist continues farther to the “Panoramadome,” following a narrow ridge for 600 metres. The Skyline adds thrilling traverses and a 55-metre suspension bridge, while the Summiteer reaches the East Summit for 360-degree vistas (peep Banff through your tears 1,000 metres below!) and a mountaintop lunch.
TpM: Level 1 – Misty Eyes to Level 5 – Niagara Falls
Duration: 2-6 hours
Cost: From $189 (minimum age of 12-14 route dependent)
Opening Times: Mid-June to mid-October
Via Ferrata Tears Per Metre Scale
Level 1 – Misty Eyes
Barely a glisten. More sweat than tears. A child could do it (and probably will, while laughing at you).
Level 2 – Gentle Sniffles
Some nervous laughter, a small whimper and maybe a dramatic sigh. Manageable, but you’ll tell your friends it was “spicy.”
Level 3 – Full Tear Tracks
The tears are flowing enough to leave streaks. Handgrips are a little slippery. You question life choices but still smile for photos.
Level 4 – Ugly Cry Zone
Tears, snot and trembling legs. Any camera footage will need censoring.
Level 5 – Niagara Falls
An uncontrollable torrent. Mascara—or whatever you wore—fully sacrificed. Your harness is now soddened with salt water. Only the iron rungs know your shame.
