Whether you're strolling through cityscapes or wandering around natural landscapes, elevated walkways provide a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle. The High Line in New York City, which opened in 2009, set the trend for these elevated pathways, and cities worldwide have followed suit. Offering bird's-eye views and tranquility, these 10 options are a must-visit for urban dwellers and adventurous travelers alike.
10 Elevated Walkways Through Nature You Must Visit
If you're traveling to any of these countries in the coming months, you can easily pay a visit to these elevated walkways through nature. Discover these 10 fascinating ones as you travel from Northern California to the Bavarian Forest. Nature walks reach new heights along this route.
1. Tres Birds in Denver, Colorado, USA
Designed by a local firm, 'Tres Birds' features an elevated promenade at Denver's RiNo ArtPark offers a 121-meter (400-foot) stretch of outdoor space along the riverside. With its steel-based structure supported by telephone poles, the walkway reaches a height of 8.5 meters (28 feet) at its peak, extending into a 9-meter (30-foot) deck that showcases great views of the park and the adjacent South Platte River. Sustainably sourced lumber is used throughout the promenade, adding to its eco-friendly appeal.
2. God's Window Skywalk in Mpumalanga, South Africa
The God's Window Skywalk project in eastern South Africa, led by Dewar van Antwerpen of Boogertman + Partners, has become a remarkable destination for visitors. Located within the protected Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, the project provides panoramic views and draws inspiration from the form of a praying mantis. The design team, including Dimpho Selepe, Silindzile Shongwe, Charles de Jager, Siphiwe Semelane, and Sarah Tuke, brings their expertise and creativity to this exciting endeavor.
Photo: @olahspandora
3. Redwood Sky Walk in Eureka, California, USA
The Redwood Sky Walk, a self-guided quarter-mile walking experience 30 meters (100 feet) above ground level among the area's spectacular redwood trees, opened in the summer of 2022 in Eureka, California. When you're submerged in woodland, the already-fresh air of the port city between San Francisco and the Oregon border is heightened.
4. Treetop Walk Bavarian Forest in Neuschönau, Germany
The Treetop Walk Bavarian Forest's elevated pathway in nature leads to its incredible 44-meter (144-foot) egg-shaped timber building with 360-degree views of the flora all around, which is located within the Bavarian Forest National Park.
This renowned tourist site, designed by Schönberg-based architect Josef Stöger, received its first climbers in September 2009. This is one of the must-visit elevated walkways through nature to add to your travel list for 2024.
5. Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Alberta, Canada
The glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Western Canada hangs more than 275 meters (900 feet) over the Sunwapta Valley, providing vistas of mountaintops, rivers, and valleys.
Photo: @glacierviewlodge
The superb setting within Jasper National Park, surrounded by mountains, delivers an adrenaline boost coupled with the abundance of fresh, clean air.
6. Grand Canyon West Skywalk in Peach Springs, Arizona, USA
The Grand Canyon West Skywalk, which is celebrating its 16th anniversary this year, offers an amazing perspective of the canyon from 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) below its famed glass panel floor. The horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge spans the Grand Canyon and the view in this place are insane!
Photo: @themartastory
7. High Line in NYC, New York, USA
The AD100 firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, James Corner Field Operations (project lead), and Piet Oudolf's High Line elevated park in Manhattan set the tone for what a nature sanctuary in an urban landscape may be. The former elevated railroad's abandoned tracks are incorporated into the architecture, paying homage to the city's history. Beginning in 2009, areas of the now-iconic gathering place for locals and visitors were opened to the public.
Photo: @jvely_06
8. Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
Gardens by the Bay in downtown Singapore, with its unusual vertical garden 'trees' has drawn international notice since its inception a decade ago. The solar-powered supertrees were created by Grant Associates of the United Kingdom. Elevated pathways featuring spots filled with nature crisscross amongst the treetops, offering eye-striking views of Marina Bay.
Photo: @gardensbythebay
9. Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge in North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
The Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge, also known as the Battery Park Pedestrian Bridge, connects an existing park to the creek's north shore. The 244-meter (800-foot-long) structure will have an event space over the river, as well as two distinguishing tall steel arches. The Thomas & Hutton project is currently completed and visitors can now enjoy a stroll through nature.
Photo: Thomas Hutton
10. Eden Project Foyle in Londonderry, Northern Ireland
The Eden Project Foyle in the United Kingdom will connect two historic estates, each with walled gardens while altering the banks of the River Foyle with an eye-catching, low-carbon timber-and-thatch 'Acorn' centerpiece inspired by Neolithic architecture. The proposals, which are still in the concept stage, by global architecture company Grimshaw include performance and play zones, as well as zip lines to transport daring guests down to the walkways.
Photo: Eden Project
Get your travel list ready because if you're a fan of traveling and being around natural environments, these walkways through nature are waiting for you.
Header image by Photo by @visiteureka.
