Illustrative stock photo (source: Sme/Jozef Jakubčo)
The first via ferrata for children, situated in Čingov in the Slovenský Raj (Slovak Paradise) is now open. It is ideal for children aged seven and above and leads to two caves, said the creator of the project and former professional mountain rescuer, Karol Dzúrik.
“The ferrata is 77 metres long,” he said, as quoted by the SITA newswire. “Parents need to be certain their child is capable of climbing the via ferrata.”
The distance between the footboards has been adjusted to a child-sized step, he added.
New experience for children
Children should be equipped with ferrata equipment and a helmet, which can be rented in Čingov. In good conditions, the ferrata will be open all-year-long, unlike the one in Kyseľ gorge that is only accessible between June 15 and the end of October, Dzúrik said.
“We wanted to do something for children to allow them to experience something new,” said Dzúrik, explaining the idea behind the children’s ferrata, as quoted by SITA.
Training for adults too
Adults are also welcome to climb the children’s via ferrata to practice for the longer and more demanding route in the Kyseľ gorge.
Tomáš Dražil, director of the Administration of the National Park of Slovenský Raj, said that it enriches the activities on offer in Čingov.
“The main advantage is that those who would like to climb the big ferrata and do not know what it will be like, can try a smaller one first,” he said for SITA.
