The Höhenglücksteig in the Franconian Switzerland
The Höhenglücksteig is one of the classics among all-year climbing routes, totally hidden in the forest of the Hersbrucker Alb (Franconian Switzerland).
In front of the actual main via ferrata is the “Via Ferrata Bambini”, a training via ferrata suitable for children.
We make this as an entry. Really great and also recommended “professionals” to warm up. But above all, people who are new to the field or have kids with them. Warm up, it goes into the first part of the altitude happiness trail …
Part 1 of Höhenglückssteig
There are two variants directly at the entrance:
On the left a difficult part, which in my opinion is to be located in the area of D / E. On the right the way goes unsecured upwards. If you want, you can hook up a rope and secure kids like this.
We go up like that. There begins the via ferrata and we follow the steel cable.
It should be mentioned that we do not use gloves.
As a result, we have rust on the hands and it will later blistering, but we find the direct rock contact here also the best.
The difficulty is a corner niche (C / D) after the wooden bridge and short wall posts (C / D) after the Wittmann chicane. You can bypass the Wittmann chicane (D / E) and the two wall passages afterwards (C / D).
This Wittmann chicane is the only part that Laura does not touch. I face the short challenge. It should be for me the hardest of all parts of the climb. She requires a lot of forearm and holding power and would probably have been easier to do for Laura than it was for me.
After a short refreshment we get into the second part …
Part 2 of Höhenglückssteig
This should be as previously read in reviews also the easiest.
The exit is, however, more than interesting and supertricky. From the top it goes through a narrow gap in a small cave. It is still slightly wet, but doable. In complete wetness certainly a bigger problem and not without danger.
Laura takes off her backpack and so it represents no difficulty. With thick jackets and for people with claustrophobia certainly no easy place. But this can be bypassed.
Without hesitation, we are getting ready for the third and last part …
Part 3
It’s the hardest part and at the direct entry Laura is thinking about something. I do not say a word, but after a few minutes you hear the carabiner snap into place and with an eternally big step Laura swings into the first passage.
According to a climbing guide is the entry-level for small people even D / E.
Granted, it needs a lot of arm and holding power here, but for Laura it’s actually only difficult in three places (due to the distances for the feet). All in all, climbing definitely pays off here and she skillfully applies her skills in technically difficult sections.
As often as in this via ferrata, I have never piazed myself 😉
Our via ferrata – conclusion to the Höhenglücksteig
The complete via ferrata is feasible for experienced and fit people (also for sporty kids). Climbing experience is certainly an advantage.
Anyway, for us it was the first contact in the climbing area and it was a lot of effort, but also great fun.
But…
with kids who want to “get a taste”, make sure you first make the great Via Ferrata Bambini via ferrata. Also like more often and then you do not necessarily equal to make the Höhenglücksteig. At the beginning of the children’s climbing trail is completely sufficient.
We both heard an older man say to his daughter, “The children’s climbing trail is for babies, we do not need to do that …”
This has already hard to get started in the Höhenglücksteig. His daughter tormented up here roped. As a consequence, the girl gave frustrated after the first section.
Such approaches are impossible, misjudgements of their own performance and excessive demands of kids completely out of place.
We gladly, concentrated and completely “professionally” completed the children’s climbing route. It was neither too easy nor too childish, but as already mentioned, ideal for getting in and warming up.
Holiday in Franconian Switzerland
Walking, climbing or climbing.
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