Stairway to heaven? Stairway to a nervous breakdown for many.
These photos show a terrifying climbing ladder in Norway that sits at a dizzying 790 meters (2,591 feet) above sea level and is part of a route to the summit of Mount Hoven at 3,316 feet (1,010 meters).
The 120-step staircase, called ‘Stigull’, is 40 metres long (131 feet) and offers views of the village of Loen and a beautiful fjord.
Opened on May 31, it is the newest addition to the Via Ferrata Loen hiking destination. Via ferrata means “iron path” in English and sees participants move along climbing routes while attached to metal wires and loops attached to rock faces.
To reach the ladder, which has a 45-degree incline, thrill-seekers must first climb the “very difficult” “Route 2” to the top of Mount Hoven.
A terrifying climbing ladder in Norway that stands at a dizzying height of 790 meters (2,591 feet) above sea level and is part of a route to the summit of Mount Hoven at 3,316 feet (1,010 m)
The 120-step staircase, called ‘Stigull’, is 40 metres long (131 feet) and overlooks the village of Loen and a beautiful fjord
Per Helger Bo, who works at Loen Activewhich offers guided tours of Mount Hoven’s via ferrata routes, said the ladder “has a relatively low level of difficulty” but that for people climbing it it feels like they are “floating in the air.”
As these beautiful photos show.
Per Helger Bo added: ‘We encourage all adventurers to try Stigull and have a truly unique fjord experience.’
As part of the route, climbers can cross the Gjolmunne via ferrata suspension bridge. This bridge is 750 metres above sea level, is 120 metres long and spans a gorge that is 160 metres deep.
Real daredevils can reach the top of Mount Hoven via the ‘Ragnarok Extreme‘ route, classified as the toughest via ferrata in Norway and characterised by ‘continuous mental, technical and physical challenges’.
Hoven Mountain towers over Nordfjorden and Lake Lovatnet, with views from the summit considered ‘magnificent’ by UNESCO. Visit Norway.
At the top, visitors can stop by the Hoven Restaurant & Bar for “delicious refreshments” and zoom up 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) on two “Flying Fox” ziplines. Tickets are available from the summit shop.
The ride down takes only five minutes, via the Loen Skylift cable car.
To reach the ladder, which rests on a 45-degree slope, thrill-seekers must first take on the “very difficult” “Route 2” climb to the top of Mount Hoven
Per Helger Bo, who works at Loen Active, which offers guided tours of Mount Hoven’s via ferrata routes, said the ladder “has a relatively low difficulty level” but that people climbing it look like they are “floating in the air.” Mount Hoven towers over Nordfjorden and Lake Lovatnet, with views from the summit deemed “magnificent” by Visit Norway
The village of Loen offers a range of land-based activities, including kayaking and pedal boating on the Nordfjorden and cycling around the nearby Lodalen Valley
If visitors prefer to admire the surroundings from the ground, there are also plenty of land-based activities to enjoy in the area, including kayaking and pedal boating on the Nordfjord and cycling around the nearby Lodalen Valley.
Depending on your experience level, visitors can choose to make the climb with or without a guide.
Prices for a guide start at NOK 1,695 (£126) for adults, while tours for children over 12 cost NOK 1,535 (£114). For more information about Via Ferrata Loen, visit www.loenskylift.com/viaferrataloen. To discover more about Stigull, visit www.loenskylift.com/blog/stigull.