It has taken three years, but the new via ferrata rock-climbing route on Tākaka Hill – the vision of a group of keen Nelson volunteers – is open.

Via ferrata – ‘iron way’ in Italian – is a rock-climbing route with a series of iron steps and a fixed steel rope that climbers attach to for safety. 

It means that anyone with a decent level of fitness can give the climbing route a go and scale heights normally accessible only to experienced rock climbers. Such routes are popular in Europe – there are over 1000 in the European Alps alone.

“We’re so excited to share the thrill of rock climbing with many more people,” said Till Middelhauve, the driving force behind the new visitor attraction.

Middelhauve founded an incorporated society with the aim of building and promoting free public via ferrata in New Zealand.  

It took the society’s members and supporters more than two years to obtain the necessary agreements. Grants, donations and sponsorship were sought to fund the materials to build the route, which opened last December.

The route offers views of Golden Bay and across to Kahurangi National Park and Farewell Spit.

Fourteen harness and helmet sets are available for hire from the nearby Ngarua Caves office. 

The club is already planning another route, to be built on the hill this winter.