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All the United States West Virginia Circleville Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata
AO Edited

Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata

This harrowing climb along West Virginia's jagged spires is one of the only Via Ferrata on America's east coast.

Circleville, West Virginia

Added By
Dylan Thuras
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Crossing the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata bridge   Dave Riggs
Crossing the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata bridge   Dave Riggs
The Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata bridge, said to bounce “up and down about 6 or 7 inches” as you walk across   Jesse! S?
Via Ferrata suspension bridge at Nelson Rocks, Pendleton Co. WV.   Dave Riggs
A double row of Sandstone “fins” protrude from either side of Nelson Gap. The Via Ferrata is on the left fin.   David Smith
Climbing along the Via Ferrata   Dave Riggs
Up the rock face via steel rungs   Dave Riggs
Clipped into the Via Ferrata cable   Dave Riggs
Nelson Rock’s two fins in the background   Bjo
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About

War can leave behind strange legacies. One such odd creation is the existence of Via Ferrata, or "iron path," a system of steel rungs and cables built into the side of mountains.

During World War I in the Dolomites mountains of Italy, the mountainous peaks became the heated site of battle between the Austro-Hungarians and Italians. Fixed lines of steel cable were installed to help transport goods so climbers could clip into the lines and be less afraid of falling to their deaths. It was a brutal, icy, battle on those mountains, with soldiers freezing, starving, and falling to their deaths when they weren't being shot at or blown up. However, after the fighting was done, the Via Ferrata remained, ready for adventurous climbers to clip in.

Decades later, during World War II, and halfway around the world in West Virginia, the 10th Mountain Division was training to fight on very similar terrain in the Apennines of Italy. To do so, they used the closest analog they could find: Nelson Rocks.

The Nelson Rocks, situated in the Monongahela National Forest, are famous for their two fins, thin ridges of rock bursting up 800 feet above the streams running through the forest below. Built in 2002, by private owner Stu Hammett, the Via Ferrata is one of only three found on the east coast of the United States.

Climbers go up over 1000 feet of elevation and cross a 200-foot-long suspension bridge on the trip. One of the real draws of Via Ferrata is that it allows non-climbers to take routes, and access heights that would otherwise be too dangerous or technical for them.

Related Tags

Bridges Rocks Trails Mountains

Know Before You Go

The Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata is owned by a private enterprise called NROCKS, and the climb can only done by booking a $150 per person tour.  

Any visit has to go through the NROCKS booking system and use one of their guides. They provide equipment and guiding for the Via Ferrata route.

Community Contributors

Added By

Dylan

Edited By

Braecrest, Michelle Cassidy

  • Braecrest
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

September 14, 2023

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Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata
NRocks Outdoor Adventures 141 Nelson Gap Road
Circleville, West Virginia, 26804
United States
38.700553, -79.472107
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Spruce Knob

Riverton, West Virginia

miles away

Glady Tunnel

Bowden, West Virginia

miles away

Smoke Hole Caverns

Cabins, West Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Virginia

West Virginia

United States

Places 112
Stories 10

Nearby Places

Spruce Knob

Riverton, West Virginia

miles away

Glady Tunnel

Bowden, West Virginia

miles away

Smoke Hole Caverns

Cabins, West Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Virginia

West Virginia

United States

Places 112
Stories 10

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