Via ferrata Vodní brána, Via ferrata in Chuchelna, Czech Republic

Via ferrata Vodní brána is a set of three secured climbing routes with steel cables and artificial steps on an albite granite (orthogneiss) massif in the Jizera valley nature reserve. The routes cover a height difference of 70 to 90 m at grades B to E under the Austrian scale: blue (B, 90 m, about 20 minutes), red (C+, 110 m, one-way, 30 minutes) and purple (D/E, 75 m of ascent, 90 m long, 45 to 60 minutes).

Construction began in 2011 with a terrain survey, followed by a botanical survey and a permit from the Liberec regional environment office for two routes. The red route opened in January 2013 and the blue in March 2013. The purple route, added after an EIA assessment, opened in September 2019 during celebrations of the 110th anniversary of the Riegrova stezka. Lesy České republiky built it with the Liberec region, Semily, Chuchelna and AC Adrenalin centrum.

The routes are free and open to the public all year, managed by the association Vodní brána z.s. The purple route opened in September 2019 during celebrations of the 110th anniversary of the Riegrova stezka trail, and its construction involved Lesy České republiky, the Liberec Region, the town of Semily, the village of Chuchelna and AC Adrenalin centrum.

The site requires safety equipment including a climbing harness, helmet, and via ferrata set, which can be rented at the Semily information center. Visitors should check conditions before climbing and ensure all equipment is properly secured.

The purple route opened in September 2019 during celebrations of the 110th anniversary of the Riegrova stezka trail, after an EIA assessment. It is the hardest of the three, with 75 m of elevation gain, 90 m of length, grade D/E and 45 to 60 minutes of climbing.