A new kind of adventure has landed in northeastern Utah. The Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata, located about 12–15 minutes north of Vernal within Ashley National Forest, has opened for its 2026 season as Utah’s first public via ferrata and the longest public route of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere.
Via ferrata (Italian for iron way)dates back to World War I, when the routes were built to move troops and equipment through mountain terrain. After the war, climbers adopted them for recreation, and the format has since spread worldwide. Ashley Gorge’s version blends steel cables, iron rungs, ladders, and bridges bolted into the canyon walls, letting climbers clip into a continuous safety line as they scale exposed rock above the Green River.
What makes the route notable is its accessibility. Unlike most via ferratas, which typically require a guide, Ashley Gorge allows experienced climbers who meet weight and safety-gear requirements to tackle it independently after signing a county waiver. Everyone else can book guided trips through Vernal-based Dyno Outfitters, which offers everything from a half-day “Raptor Run” to a full-day “Apex Ascent” complete with gear, instruction, and shuttle logistics.
The course had a soft opening in August 2025, with an official ribbon-cutting in May 2026. Highlights include sweeping views of the Uintah Basin’s red-rock plateaus and a suspended highline finale known as the Windwalker Cable.
Uintah County officials see the via ferrata as an anchor for a broader outdoor recreation push in the area, pairing it with nearby attractions like Dinosaur National Monument, Red Fleet and Steinaker state parks, and the Utah Field House of Natural History museum. Learn more HERE.
