I tried this Via Farrata in Spain

Описание: I set out to try one of Spain’s most spectacular via ferratas, the Via Ferrata Urquiza Olmo, located in Catalonia near the small village of Àger.

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Driving into the Spanish countryside was an experience I had never really had before. The landscape felt dry, warm, and almost timeless, yet incredibly colorful. As I approached Àger, the pace of life slowed down immediately, and I felt drawn into the town almost at once.

Cats seemed to appear everywhere in Àger, giving the town a charming atmosphere. Although it is only a small village, it carries a strong historical atmosphere. Rising above the town is an ancient church tower and castle complex overlooking the valley, giving the place the feeling of another era entirely.

I spent the first day exploring the region, trying local food, filming the atmosphere, and adjusting to the slower rhythm of life there. I felt my mind winding down a bit, and adapting to a slower, more thoughtful way of being.

The next morning, I set out to find the via ferrata.

I did not take the standard approach route. Instead, I entered through the final section of the ferrata, essentially where the real climbing begins. Along the way, I discovered the ruins of Castell de Sant Llorenç d’Ares, standing alone high above the surrounding landscape. Seeing this isolated fortress in the middle of nowhere felt surreal, and I could only imagine what life there must have been like centuries ago.

The first section is relatively moderate, protected mainly by chains rather than a traditional steel cable. The smooth limestone wall contains enough cracks and natural holds that it almost feels more like climbing than a typical via ferrata.

Soon after, however, the route becomes far more athletic.

Large overhangs begin to appear, and one of the highlights of the climb are the suspended iron ladders hanging directly into empty space. After a short traverse, the route reaches a small resting slab where climbers can sign the route book before continuing upward.

From there begins the most scenic and rewarding section of the ferrata: a direct overhanging wall pushing outward into the void. At one point, the rock projects dramatically away from the cliff, leaving nothing but air beneath your feet. Somehow, it all worked on the first attempt, and eventually I reached the top.

The experience left a strong impression on me. It was both calming and humbling. While Via Ferrata Urquiza Olmo may not be the hardest route in the world, it definitely pushed my limits physically and mentally, and reminded me how important it is to stay in shape if I want to continue pursuing adventures like this in the future.

But the climb itself is only part of the story.

Almost every shot in this film had to be filmed by someone, and that someone was me.

I travel and film alone, and I wanted to approach this via ferrata differently from the usual helmet-mounted GoPro style common in many climbing videos. I wanted to preserve the calm and cinematic atmosphere that defines Zen Hiking Switzerland. The only way to achieve this was through stationary cameras, long drone shots, and repeated climbs of the same sections.

This meant setting up cameras on the wall, climbing sections repeatedly for different angles, and often flying the drone while climbing. In some cases, I would send the drone into position, place the remote into my backpack, continue climbing, then stop again to reposition the drone farther up the wall.

Because of the drone noise, many sections also had to be filmed separately using only the GoPro. In total, I climbed the route three times in order to capture different perspectives.

I share this simply to give some insight into how these films are created. A team would certainly make everything easier, but the essence of this channel has always been solitude, calmness, and being fully immersed in the environment. For me, that feeling would disappear if every moment became a production involving multiple people and constant coordination.

That is the tradeoff I choose to make.

I hope you enjoy this film.

And more than anything, I hope it inspires some of you to go outside, explore unfamiliar places, challenge yourselves, and reconnect with nature.

Music and Video by Zen Hiking Switzerland

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Àger
02:20 - Castell de Sant Llorenç
03:38 - Via Ferrata Urquiza Olmo First Part
07:41 - Midway Slab
08:44 - Via Ferrata Urquiza Olmo Second Part