Stairway to heaven? Stairway to a nervous breakdown for many.
These pictures show a terrifying climbing ladder in Norway that sits at a dizzying 790 metres (2,591ft) above sea level and forms part of a route to the summit of Mount Hoven at 3,316ft (1,010m).
The 120-step stairway, called ‘Stigull’, measures 40 metres in length (131ft) and overlooks the village of Loen and a stunning fjord.
It opened on May 31 and 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 secured to metal wires and loops fixed to rock faces.
To reach the ladder, which rests at a 45-degree slope, thrill seekers must first take the ‘very difficult’ ‘Route 2’ climb towards the top of Mount Hoven.
A terrifying climbing ladder in Norway that sits at a dizzying 790 metres (2,591ft) above sea level and forms part of a route to the summit of Mount Hoven at 3,316ft (1,010m)
The 120-step stairway, called ‘Stigull’, measures 40 metres in length (131ft) and overlooks the village of Loen and a stunning fjord
Per Helger Bo, who works at Loen Active, which offers guided tours along the Mount Hoven via ferrata routes, said the ladder ‘has a relatively low level of difficulty’, but that people climbing it look like they’re ‘floating in thin air’.
As these amazing pictures show.
Per Helger Bo added: ‘We encourage all adventure seekers to try Stigull and get a truly unique fjord experience.’
As part of the route, climbers can cross the Gjolmunne via ferrata suspension bridge, which is 750 metres (2,460ft) above sea level, 120 metres (393ft) long and crosses a 160-metre- (524ft) deep gorge.
Truly daredevil climbers might like to reach the Mount Hoven summit via the ‘Ragnarok Extreme‘ route, classed as the toughest via ferrata in Norway and featuring ‘constant mental, technical and physical challenges’.
Mount Hoven towers over Nordfjorden and lake Lovatnet, with the views at the summit classed as ‘magnificent’ by Visit Norway.
At the top, visitors can visit the Hoven Restaurant & Bar for ‘delicious refreshments’ and zoom along two ‘Flying Fox’ ziplines 1,000m (3,280ft) up, with tickets for this available at the mountain-top shop.
The journey down takes just five minutes, via the Loen Skylift cable car.
To reach the ladder, which rests at a 45-degree slope, thrill seekers must first take the ‘very difficult’ ‘Route 2’ climb towards the top of Mount Hoven
Per Helger Bo, who works at Loen Active, which offers guided tours along the Mount Hoven via ferrata routes, said the ladder ‘has a relatively low level of difficulty’, but that people climbing it look like they’re ‘floating in thin air’. Mount Hoven towers over Nordfjorden and lake Lovatnet, with the views at the summit classed as ‘magnificent’ by Visit Norway
Loen village offers plenty of land-based activities, including kayaking and pedal-boating on the Nordfjorden and biking around the nearby Lodalen Valley
If visitors prefer to admire the surroundings from the ground, the area has plenty of land-based activities, including kayaking and pedal boating on Nordfjorden and biking around the nearby Lodalen Valley.
Visitors have the option of embarking on the climb with or without a guide, depending on their experience level.
Prices for a guide start at 1,695 Norwegian Krone (£126) for adults, while guided tours for children over 12 cost 1,535 Norwegian Krone (£114). For more information on Via Ferrata Loen, visit www.loenskylift.com/viaferrataloen. To discover more about Stigull, visit www.loenskylift.com/blog/stigull.
