At 3776 meters, Mount Kinabalu via ferrata was verified by Guinness World Record as the highest via ferrata in the world. Via ferrata is the Italian word for ‘Iron Path’, it is a protected mountain path with cables and metal rungs installed along the rockface.
The via ferrata route on Mount Kinabalu allows climbers to enjoy the scenic sections of the mountain that are otherwise inaccessible by those who take the normal summit return route. Compared with rock climbing, via ferrata is very much easier as you have rungs and bars to assist in your climb. No climbing experience required. As long as you know how to climb a ladder, you’ll know how to do the via ferrata.
Things To Know About Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata
- Constructed by the finest builders from Europe, using CE mark-approved materials, the via ferrata activity is very safe. It is guided by trained and certified trainers, and you’ll be equipped with certified helmets, harnesses, dynamic ropes and energy absorber lanyards.
- To participate, you need to be aged between 10 to 70 years who are fit and healthy, not afraid of heights, be at least 130cm tall, and weigh less than 100kg (although the via ferrata can withstand the weight up to a minimum of 3000kg).
- There are currently two routes: Low’s Peak Circuit is a 4-5 hours route for those with good stamina (French grading: Fairly Hard); Walk The Torq is a 2-3 hours introductory route designed for the beginner in mind (French grading: Easy).
- The activity happens on the second day of Mount Kinabalu climb. After reaching the summit (Low’s Peak), your guide will lead you to the via ferrata starting point on the way down.
- Things to bring & climbing tips: click here.
- Direct booking at MountainTorq.com, you may be directed to their main partner agent, Marvelous Borneo. Note that the packages include the stay at Pendant Hut, but are excluding the Park’s fees.
- If you have booked your climb and other accommodation, walk-in registration may also be available (if there are free slots) during the first day of your hike. In that case, the package includes only the via ferrata activity itself.
Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata - Low’s Peak Circuit
The post here skips the usual climbing journeys of Mount Kinabalu. To read about them, please head over to this Mount Kinabalu post. Here, I participated in the 4-5 hours Low’s Peak Circuit.
Day 1
Check In To Pendant Hut
After arriving at Panalaban / Laban Rata, my guide led me to my accommodation at Pendant Hut, which is specifically built to accommodate via ferrata climbers.
Here you’ll find the World’s Highest Post Box, certified by Malaysia Book of Records.
Upon entering Pendant Hut, I immediately felt the cozyness in the house. Located 3289m above sea level, the cold fresh air enters through the windows, circulating the quiet room filled with calmness. Hot & cold water dispensers, coffee and tea are provided. There is a mini library and some board games. This is a great hangout place to meet new faces!
At the dorm’s beds, each guest is provided with a clean sleeping bag. A vital piece of equipment for a good night sleep, it kept me really warm throughout the night.
The washrooms were clean. The showers have heaters but due to the hard environment, you may get just a little less freezing water.
Through the windows in Pendant Hut, I get to enjoy the misty mountain views.
The trainer will be conducting the mandatory via ferrata safety briefing at 3.30pm. Make sure you reach Pendant Hut by this time and do not miss this briefing, or else you will not be allowed to participate via ferrata on the next day.
Day 2
Descend From Low’s Peak To Via Ferrata Starting Point
After reaching Mount Kinabalu’s highest peak (Low’s Peak), my guide led me to the starting point of the via ferrata. It’s about a 30-40 minutes walk (with sightseeing) back down from Low’s Peak.
Section 1 - Down
We gathered at the starting point with the group and started our via ferrata journey.
Look ma, no hands! Just look at the background, you can’t witness this spectacular scene from the normal route! (The guide will snap photos of you and the group, so you don’t have to worry about the risk of dropping your phone off the mountain)
The path is secured with rungs, handlebars and foot pedals to aid us in the climb. The rungs are quite far apart, a little far for people with short legs like me haha.
Two of the highlights at the first section are the suspension bridge and the three-wire bridge (probably the highest in Southeast Asia?).
We completed the first section in 2 hours and reached the forest part of section two.
Section 2 - Forest Hike
We detached from the safety line, took a break and had a quick snack before continuing our journey.
Section two takes place at the foresty parts of the mountain.
After going through the dense high altitude forest, we’re back to the open rockface with lesser plants around us.
Then, came the clouds and started to rain. We hiked about 30-40 minutes to the end of section two.
Section 3 - Up
The last section involves climbing up the rock face to the ending point.
After reattaching ourselves back to the safety line, we started our climb up at the third and last section of the via ferrata.
Climbing up the slope in the cold, misty, and rainy conditions.
The last push to the top.
After 3 hours and 40 minutes, we made it to the ending point of Low’s Peak Circuit! (This is also the starting point of Walk The Torq, which shares a little part of LPC)
We walked for another 45 minutes down to Pendant Hut.
We were served American Breakfast, before we checked out and hiked down the mountain.
I speeded down the mountain and reached Timpohon Gate within 3 hours. Time to head back to the park office to collect my via ferrata certificate and the optional Mount Kinabalu certificate.
Wanna learn more about climbing Mount Kinabalu? Read the tips and journey here!
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
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*Captain Planet passing by* Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). Walk on the designated path and stay in the middle as much as you can, so that the exposed soil doesn’t spread/corrode further. BE ONE WITH NATURE *flies away*
for ferrata, is it another charge? or this is already included on the tour guide that we will paying? Thank your response
Hi Maria, sorry I couldn’t fully get your question. Do you mean to ask if the ferrata activity is included when you book the “via ferrata package” from MountainTorq? If so, yes. They have packages including the accomodation at Pendant Hut, or packages just for the via ferrata activity without the accommodation (where you need to book separately). Do check with MountainTorq regarding their tour packages. Cheers and have a great climb!