Via Ferrata Tours

olympic valley, california • 9,010 FT

A Day on the Via Ferrata

See what to expect from a day adventuring with us on the Tahoe Via Ferrata

Tahoe Via Ferrata Tours

5.0 (487 reviews)

All Skill Levels
2-4 Hours
Year-Round
Lake Tahoe, CA

Experience the thrill of via ferrata climbing high above Lake Tahoe. Our expert guides will lead you through an exhilarating route with stunning panoramic views. Perfect for beginners and experienced climbers alike, this unique adventure combines hiking, climbing, and breathtaking scenery.

Experience Highlights

Group of climbers crossing a suspension bridge on the Tahoe Via Ferrata, Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley

No experience required

Alpenglow Expeditions Chief Guide Logan Talbott briefing three young climbers on the Tahoe Via Ferrata route

Built for the whole family

A young girl fastens her helmet to climb the Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley. One of the best Lake Tahoe adventures!

All ages, all abilities

Bring your friends

A female guide points to a hand hold while climbing with a group of children on the Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley. One of the best Lake Tahoe adventures!

Lake Tahoe activities

Views you can’t get any other way

A group climbing the Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley. One of the best Lake Tahoe adventures!

Lake Tahoe activities

Configure Your Tour

Tour Type

Tour Duration

MON-THU	FRI-SUN
$199/Person	$209/Person

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MON-THU	FRI-SUN
$230/Person	$251/Person

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MON-THU	FRI-SUN
$269/Person	$299/Person

Inquire

MON-THU	FRI-SUN
1 person – $625/person	1 person – $655/person
2 person – $385/person	2 person – $405/person
3 person – $305/person	3 person – $320/person
4 person – $265/person	4 person – $280/person
5 person – $240/person	5 person – $255/person
6 person – $225/person	6 person – $235/person

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MON-THU	FRI-SUN
1 person – $730/person	1 person – $795/person
2 person – $445/person	2 person – $485/person
3 person – $350/person	3 person – $380/person
4 person – $300/person	4 person – $330/person
5 person – $270/person	5 person – $295/person
6 person – $255/person	6 person – $275/person

Inquire

MON-THU	FRI-SUN
1 person – $860/person	1 person – $955/person
2 person – $520/person	2 person – $580/person
3 person – $410/person	3 person – $455/person
4 person – $350/person	4 person – $390/person
5 person – $320/person	5 person – $355/person
6 person – $295/person	6 person – $330/person

Inquire

What’s Included

Professional guide
All safety equipment
Helmet & harness
Safety briefing

“Absolutely Unforgettable”

I am not going to lie I am a little scared of heights, and I had so much fun! Our Guides were amazing, and to experience the tram face this way was absolutely unforgettable. With no hesitation, I would recommend you do this.

— Brooklyn N.

“Great Experience With The Whole Family”

We had a blast on the course with Jarad as our guide. He was very patient with us the whole trip and was very knowledgeable about the process. The course did have some challenging parts but everyone in our party was able to complete the whole course. This is a great activity and would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun adventure. Thanks again Jarad!

— Nancy B.

“Best Thing We’ve Ever Done”

This was without a doubt the best thing we’ve ever done at Palisades, and we are Lake Tahoe regulars going back 20 years. Unbelievable that we can climb this part of Squaw. Exhilarating but felt perfectly safe the entire time. Want to take all our friends here!

— Peter H.

“Truly World-Class Experience”

This is an absolutely incredible addition to Palisades and Lake Tahoe. Truly WORLD CLASS experience. From folks in the office, to Scotty and Sydney (our guides), everyone was wonderful. The staff knows their stuff and the actual experience of standing on and traversing across the fabled Tram Face, unreal! This is not just a Tahoe “must do,” but one for California!

— Brandon W.

Route Map

A map of the Tahoe Via Ferrata routes up the Tram Face at Palisades Tahoe. One of the best Lake Tahoe adventures!

Frequently Asked Questions

: The best time to visit Lake Tahoe for outdoor activities is mid-June through early October, when all hiking trails, the Tahoe Via Ferrata, beaches, and boat tours are operational. December through March is best for skiing and snowboarding.
: Via ferrata (Italian for “iron road”) is a fixed climbing route equipped with steel cables, ladder rungs, and suspension bridges permanently anchored into the rock. Unlike rock climbing, it requires no prior experience or technical skill. Participants clip into a continuous safety cable and remain connected to the rock at all times. The Tahoe Via Ferrata ascends an 800-foot granite cliff at Palisades Tahoe with the guidance of a trained mountain guide.
: The Tahoe Via Ferrata is designed for all ability levels, from first-time climbers to experienced alpinists. The physical demand is comparable to a moderately strenuous hike. Participants should be able to walk continuously for 1–4 hours depending on the tour length. The steel cable system ensures you are attached to the rock at all times, removing the technical difficulty of traditional climbing.
: Wear sturdy, closed-toe lace-up shoes with good tread, hiking shoes or approach shoes are ideal. Running shoes are acceptable if the sole is stiff. Dress in comfortable, moisture-wicking layers appropriate for the weather; temperatures at 7,500 feet can be significantly cooler than the valley. Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and at least one liter of water. All technical gear, harness, helmet, and lanyard, is provided and included in the tour price.
: Many people with a fear of heights successfully complete the Tahoe Via Ferrata. The continuous lifeline system means you are always attached to the rock, which provides a strong sense of security. Guides are trained to support nervous climbers. The 2-hour tour is the recommended starting point for anyone who is uncertain, as it offers a natural exit point before the most exposed sections.
: Yes. The Tahoe Via Ferrata can accommodate groups of up to 144 people, making it one of the largest-capacity guided adventure activities in the Lake Tahoe region. The guide-to-client ratio is 1:6, so larger groups are led by multiple guides simultaneously.
For groups of 13 or more, contact Alpenglow Expeditions directly at 877-873-5376 for group booking options.
: Please see the Equipment list above for a detailed list of what you should bring on the Via Ferrata. All technical equipment (harness, helmet, and lanyards) is provided by Alpenglow Expeditions and included in the pricing.
: The Tahoe Via Ferrata is for everyone (as long as they are taller than 3’11”)! No prior experience is necessary and nearly all ages can participate. Please note that climbers under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult for any tour on the Via Ferrata. Additionally, due to the manufacturer’s limitations, participants who weigh less than 88 lbs or more than 250 lbs must be booked in a private group. The guide will add a second rope to the participant that is outside the weight limitations in the steeper, more vertical sections. This will not impact your ability to participate!

Routes and Challenges

The Tahoe Via Ferrata features a series of routes that cater to different skill levels. Each tour length follows a distinct line up the Tram Face at Palisades Tahoe, so you can match the climb to your experience, fitness, and the time you have. Here’s what you can expect.

The Great Escape (2 Hours)

If you’re new to the mountains or pressed for time, the beginner-friendly 2-hour tour offers a manageable introduction to the via ferrata experience. This is a quick-hit tour that touches all the main types of climbing found on the Tahoe Via Ferrata, making it the ideal starting point for first-timers and families.

The Loophole (3 Hours)

For those who’d like to go higher on the mountain, the 3-hour tour generally follows the Loophole route, which involves more sections of vertical climbing and brief sections of downclimbing as well. This route tops out at the Olympic Valley Overlook (OVO), one of the best viewpoints in the entire valley.

The Sundial Arete / Skyline Traverse (4 Hours)

Either of the 4-hour routes will get you all the way to the top of the Via at Tram Tower 1. From there, you’ll take a short hike toward Tower 2 and descend through Broken Arrow Bowl to the pickup spot, where our vehicle meets you to drive back to base. These routes are not necessarily more difficult, but they do offer more mountain features — including exposed climbing and traversing, cable bridges, and vertical ladder sections.

Alpenglow Expeditions Chief Guide Logan Talbott briefing two young climbers on the Tahoe Via Ferrata route

**Tahoe Via Ferrata routes at a glance**
Route	Duration	Tops Out At	Best For
The Great Escape	2 hours	Lower Tram Face	First-timers, younger kids, limited time
The Loophole	3 hours	Olympic Valley Overlook (OVO)	More vertical climbing plus a signature viewpoint
The Sundial Arete / Skyline Traverse	4 hours	Tram Tower 1	The full experience: exposure, bridges, ladders

Experiences

Best Thing We’ve Ever Done
This was without a doubt the best thing we’ve ever done at Palisades, and we are Lake Tahoe regulars going back 20 years. Unbelievable that we can climb this part of Squaw. Exhilarating but felt perfectly safe the entire time. Want to take all our friends here!
Peter H.
Truly World-Class Experience
This is an absolutely incredible addition to Palisades and Lake Tahoe. Truly WORLD CLASS experience. From folks in the office, to Scotty and Sydney (our guides), everyone was wonderful. The staff knows their stuff and the actual experience of standing on and traversing across the fabled Tram Face, unreal! This is not just a Tahoe “must do,” but one for California!
Brandon W.
For Experienced Climbers And First Timers
This was so much fun! My guide Sam was awesome. He really took the time to explain everything and lead me though the course safely. This was my first experience doing any climbing other than 3rd class scrambles. I’d recommend this to experienced climbers looking for a fun afternoon or someone who’s simply looking to climb for the first time. The staff and owners of Alpenglow are serious cool people! I’m looking forward to more adventures with Alpenglow in the future.
Matthew W.
Beyond My Expectations
We had the best time EVER!!! It was beyond my expectations of what I thought it would be like. Our guide (Dave Nettle) was AMAZING!!! He made the adventure so fun for our family (myself, my sister and my 18 year old daughter). Dave was so knowledgeable, experienced, and best of all FUN. Not to mention that he made us feel safe and secure as there were some pretty exciting (challenging) parts on the climb. I would LOVE to do it again and maybe try a different course. But I highly recommend it to everyone. You will not be disappointed!!
Susan W.
A Fun Activity For People Of Varying Ages And Fitness Levels.
We had a great day climbing the Via with Tim. His instruction was very clear and we quickly got the hang of it. It felt like just the right mix of slight challenge but basically very comfortable. The holds are all in the right places. It was a beautiful day and the views were spectacular. A fun activity for people of varying ages and fitness levels.
Gary S
Great Experience With The Whole Family
We had a blast on the course with Jarad as our guide. He was very patient with us the whole trip and was very knowledgeable about the process. The course did have some challenging parts but everyone in our party was able to complete the whole course. This is a great activity and would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun adventure. Thanks again Jarad!
Nancy B.
Absolutely Unforgettable
I am not going to lie I am a little scared of heights, and I had so much fun! Our Guides were amazing, and to experience the tram face this way was absolutely unforgettable. With no hesitation, I would recommend you do this.
Brooklyn N.

Lake Tahoe Family Friendly Adventure

One of the best things to do in lake tahoe

Whether you’re pressed for time or want to spend a half-day on the rock, we have the perfect length of Via Ferrata tour for you! The Tahoe Via Ferrata provides the perfect opportunity to experience one of the region’s most iconic pieces of granite with friends and family. One of the best parts of the Tahoe Via climbing adventure is that you can experience it with the large groups of almost any age!