Guinness World Records identifies World's highest via ferrata in Asia

A via ferrata (‘iron road’ in Italian) is a route built using a series of steel rungs, rails and cables embedded into a rock face. Mountain Torq’s world’s highest via ferrata, and was established in 2007 for climbers and hikers to experience a route that had previously been accessible only to veteran rock climbers and mountaineers with specialized equipment.
Mountain Torq’s via ferrata enables climbers and non-climbers to experience the thrill of via ferrata climbing in complete safety, while taking in the spectacular mountain surroundings and summit views offered by east Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu. This via ferrata’s lowest point is at 3,411 metres above sea level and reaches the highest point of 3,776 metres above sea level.
Witnessing the event, Tengku Zainal Adlin, Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board said, “Sabah Tourism congratulates Mountain TORQ Sdn. Bhd.'s Via Farrata's certification by the Guinness World Records as the world's highest via ferrata at 3,776 metre located on Malaysia's first World Heritage site Mount Kinabalu. Sabah is branded Sabah Nature'ally ... The Best of Borneo. The “Land Below The Wind” is being promoted as A Premier Nature Adventure Destination with adventure that encompasses soft, medium, hard and extreme. Mountain Torq’s via ferrata on Mount Kinabalu fits very well with an adventure destination with few equals and Sabah Tourism's philosophy to shine among the best as being epitomized by the globally unique highest via ferrata in the world and the first in Asia. Our congratulations also to Sabah Parks in facilitating Mountain Torq to be certified in the Guinness Book of Record.”
Receiving the award, Sabah Park’s Deputy Director, Dr Jamili Nair said, “This recognition will be a value add both with respect to conservation effort and tourism attraction at Kinabalu Park, Malaysia‘s first World Heritage Site. Sabah Parks believes that it will boost the attention and appreciation for outdoor lovers throughout the world”.
Presenting a copy of the Guinness World Records certification to Sabah Tourism Board at the press conference today, Wilfred Tok, founder of Mountain Torq, said: “This is an honour and a privilege to be recognised by the global authority on world records. Since the inception of Mountain Torq, our team has been working hard to create a way for people to experience adventure differently on the beautiful and mysterious Mount Kinabalu. Our via ferrata and mountaineering activities are based on internationally recognised service standards. We are also deeply appreciative to Sabah Tourism Board for their kind support and active promotional drive across Asia. Going forward, we plan to build on this certification and to create more exciting adventures in Asia.”


Key highlights of Mountain Torq’s via ferrata:
Location: Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Highest point of via ferrata: 3,776 meters above sea level on Panar Laban rock face
Lowest point of via ferrata: 3,411 meters above sea level
Length of via ferrata: spans 1.2 km (approximately); duration between 4-5 hours
Point of interest for climbers: Negotiating a 22 meter foot bridge suspended 3,600 meters above sea level
Mountain Torq operates two via ferrata routes. For the seasoned climber, the company offers its Low’s Peak Circuit whereby climbers with above average fitness levels climb to the highest point of Mt Kinabalu called Low’s Peak located 4,095 meters above sea level. On their descent, they will take the via ferrata detour starting from 3,776 meters above sea level in order to see stunning views and explore hidden corners of the mountain plateau.
The other via ferrata route, known as Walk The Torq, has been designed for novice climbers and family groups with members aged 10 years and above. This route takes climbers on Mt Kinabalu’s via ferrata at 3,521m above sea level with opportunities along the way for sight-seeing and photo-taking.
Mount Kinabalu, the highest accessible mountain in South East Asia, is located in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. Mount Kinabalu itself is situated in a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its rich biodiversity and lush rainforests.