Via Ferrata Cágate Lorito

There are via ferratas and there are via ferratas. The Via Ferrata Cagate Lorito is in the latter of these categories. There are multiple rating systems for via ferratas, these being based on difficulty (physical and psychological), location (close to the parking or miles away), complexity of the natural environment (at the base of a short wall or situated at the top of a 4000m peak), and still more factors that go into sometimes overwhelming rating systems that include numbers and letters.

In Spain, most via ferratas are installed on short rocky walls, some incorporating ledge systems but normally the ferratas are not full-fledged day-long expeditions like those found in the Alps. So from that, let's just keep it simple and go with the K rating system which is based simply on the difficulty of the moves and does not take into account the environment or psychological factors such as exposure. In this system, the ratings range from K1-6, where K1 is very easy, apt for beginners, and K6 is extreme and should only be attempted by experienced ferratistas and those with ample climbing experience.

Via ferrata Cagate Lorito

It is one of a handful of K6 ferratas in Spain. It's relatively newly installed (2012) and packs a punch from the start to the end without many places for resting. The truth is that it's an absolute beauty! Definitely not a ferrata for the faint of heart but if you enjoy some slightly upside down climbing, don't miss this one! It is difficult but it's also very well equipped, lots of rungs, plenty of nice thick cable to clip in to, and you never feel unsafe, even when you have to cross the 3m overhanging roof to gain access to the hanging ladder.

Amazing exposure throughout but even more so as you gain height because just about all of it is slightly overhanging. Add on a couple of big roofs and you've gained quite a bit of outward distance since the start. At the top you get to cross a fun 10m long cable bridge from one outcrop to another. From there it's not over yet, as you have to descend about 3m and then the cable ends!

To your right you need to slide over a bit and reach for the pendulum chain, a very heavy duty chain anchored from above which contains a large 10cm iron ring on the end of it. Clip both of your ferrata lanyards to the ring and then pendulum your way almost 3m to the right to gain access to the next line of rungs and the continuation of the ferrata and the cable. A very cool move indeed! From this point, its an easy 3m up the rungs on easy terrain to the top of the ferrata, the sign in box (where the stuffed Lorito lives), and the easy walking descent back to the car.

Alternative Descent

However, there is another option to descend...Cágate Lorito part 2!! Yes, they've installed a separate via ferrata descent line which goes down the wall parallel to the ascent and also rated K6 as a descent! Incredible!! Talk about unique, there's a fireman's pole as part of the descent! Great vision for this ferrata.

After the 4m fireman's pole to a small ledge, there's a tyrolean traverse and then a hanging ladder and then more slightly overhanging rungs to manage before getting to the last bit which is a wire and chain ladder which leads back to the safety of the ground.

Just an amazingly unique ferrata all around and well worth a go if you have the level necessary for it. The sign at the beginning of the ferrata says it all though, it really shouldn't be attempted by beginners or even people with intermediate levels in this discipline.

Overview of the area

This ferrata is located in the province of Lérida, in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. It's an area known for rock climbing and harbors some of the most amazing sport climbing venues on the planet. There are immaculate limestone walls everywhere you look and as a consequence there are a myriad of climbing routes in this area.

There is also a long history of via ferratas in this area and in recent years more creative, athletic, and powerful ferratas have begun to spring up in this area. Another, in this area is via ferrata Feliz Navidad (also rated K6), which is currently vying for the title of most difficult via ferrata in Spain (at least on the peninsula). Anyway you slice it, the province of Lérida is a no miss area for outdoor adventure in the mountains. If you're in the area and have the level and the desire, don't miss out on via ferrata Cágate Lorito, one of a handful of high level difficulty via ferratas in Spain.