Long popular in Europe, via ferratas are catching on—and fast—in North America. Italian for “iron way,” a via ferrata is a protected climbing route with fixed steel cables, metal rungs, and ladders.

My knees shake and my fingertips cling to the rock. I can’t bear to move my laser-focused gaze anywhere beyond the metal rung that’s just out of reach. A moment before, I was climbing up a ladder, but ...

Via ferrata, which is Italian for "iron path," is one of the best ways to experience the high alpine terrain of a ski area in the summer. These unique climbing routes are equipped with iron rungs and ...