If death-defying heights and spectacular views are your thing, visiting a skywalk or viewing platform may just be the holiday highlight you’re looking for.
Nothing beats the breathtaking panoramic views that skywalks offer, especially when they’re surrounded by some of the world’s biggest landmarks, cities, or mountain ranges.
In this post, you’ll learn more about skywalks and what some of the best skywalks and viewing platforms are to visit on your next trip!
What is A Skywalk?
A skywalk is a name given to bridges and platforms that are supported from one or multiple sides instead of underneath, giving the impression that the walkway is unsupported. They are commonly used in urban settings to connect one building to another, but they are also commonly found on mountain ranges and near other landmarks.
In this post, we’re referring to those skywalks that were specifically made to create a unique experience for tourists and visitors. Given the unique experience that skywalks offer, they are often used to create a vantage point in or near landmarks and major cities, facilitating spectacular views that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. Some examples of unique implementations include the skywalk just above the treetops in the Tamborine Rainforest, allowing you to experience the rainforest in a way you otherwise couldn’t, and the glass-bottomed skywalk on the Canadian Rockies in Jasper National Park, providing visitors with unobstructed views of both the cliffside and their surroundings.
Some of the best skywalks to visit
There are hundreds of skywalks in the world, each one providing visitors with a unique experience. However, there are a number of them that stick out…
Below is our list of some of the world’s best skywalks and viewing platforms, in no particular order. If you love heights and great views then visiting one of these on your next trip is an absolute must!
Iguazu Falls Gangway
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The Iguazu Falls – one of the most fantastic places in Brazil – are some of the largest waterfalls on earth, albeit less well known than other large waterfalls like the Niagra Falls. This isn’t just based on the amount of water that flows through them each year, however. The Iguazu Falls are twice as wide as the Niagra Falls and also quite a bit taller.
The Iguazu Falls Gangway is a long bridge that allows you to walk around the foot of the waterfalls, with some of the most breathtaking views of this natural marvel. There are Gangways on both the Brazilian and the Argentinian sides of the waterfalls, meaning that you can visit them in both countries.
Top of Tyrol viewing platform
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The top of Tyrol viewing platform offers visitors one of the best views of the Stubaier Gletscher and the surrounding Austrian Alps. Situated at an altitude of well over 3km, it offers an almost 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding area. The viewing platform is just a small walk from the Stubai Glacier ski resort which is a popular ski resort in the area.
Sky Deck, Willis Tower, Chicago
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The Willis Tower’s Sky Deck in Chicago is one of the most visited skywalks on earth, averaging well over 1.5 million visitors per year! Step outside the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, on a platform made entirely from glass (including the floor!). At a height of 412 meters (1,353 ft), the ledge’s glass box extends 1.3 meters (4.3 ft) from the Sky Deck, providing you an unobstructed view of the city. Some of the best hotels in Chicago offer access to this attraction!
Glacier Skywalk, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
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Looping out over the rocky slopes of the Canadian Rockies, the Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park allows visitors to take a stroll 275 meters (902 ft) above the Sunwapta valley. With a glass floor and glass railings, your view of the surrounding mountains is unobstructed and it feels as if you’re floating in mid-air!
Skypoint Climb, Queensland, Australia
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SkyPoint Climb is Australia’s highest outdoor building climb with some of the best views of Australia’s Gold Coast. SkyPoint has one of Australia’s fastest elevators taking you to the 77th floor (SkyPoint Observation Deck) in 42.7 seconds, where you will begin the climb. The entire climb lasts 90 minutes from beginning to end and is completely outdoors. It is definitely not for the faint of heart!
If the outdoor climb isn’t for you, the observation deck also offers you panoramic views of the surrounding city and coastline. These views can be enjoyed with a wonderful meal, beer, or cocktail.
Skywalk X, Macau Tower, Macau
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Macau Tower situated in Macau, China, is a 233 meter (764 ft) high tower with one of the most stunning skywalks in existence. During the skywalk you walk around on the top of the tower while attached to a supporting beam above, completely free of railings or other obstructions. The walkway is on the outside of the tower and just 1.8 meters wide, meaning you get to experience the thrill of the elements as well as the stunning views.
Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness, Austria
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If you’re a thrill-seeker, then the Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness in Austria may just be the best European travel destination for you. The suspension bridge and glass platform offer spectacular views of the Alps, with a sheer 396 meter (1,300 ft) drop visible beneath your feet. This steep drop can be experienced both while walking along this suspension bridge as well as while on the glass platform extending out from the cliffside. The ‘stairway to nothingness’ is only for people with nerves of steel. However, if you are adventurous enough to partake, this skywalk offers otherwise unattainable views as well as a truly unique experience.
Tamborine rainforest in Queensland, Australia
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Tamborine rainforest in Queensland, Australia is located on Mount Tamborine, near Cedar Creek. The skywalk that can be found here offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the rainforest from above. With a 300 meters long skywalk in the upper canopy as well as a forty-meter-long bridge that’s thirty meters high, this skywalk offers you a fantastic view of the local scenery and wildlife.
Longgang National Geological Park in China
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Also known as the last “Shangri-La,” Longgang National Geological Park is located in Yunyang County. This vast area consists of caves, valleys, and sinkholes amidst the lush forest. Nestled more than a thousand meters above the ground, the skywalk offers panoramic views of the area. The most thrilling part is the transparent horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge where you get to see all the way down.
OCBC Skyway in Supertree Grove, Singapore
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Even from some of the best rooftop hotels in Singapore, these supertrees already look amazing. Get an up-close look at the futuristic Supertrees along a 128 meter-long (419 ft) aerial walkway like no other. Offering a spectacular view of the skyline 22 meters (72 ft) above the ground, the OCBC Skyway is a popular attraction for visitors looking for an afternoon of beautiful views in the very heart of Supertree Grove.
Tianmenshan Crystal Glass Skywalk on Tianmen Mountain, China
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Tianmenshan Skywalk is located between Yunmengxian peak on the west side of Tianmen Mountain and Yihong Pass. The skywalk sits at a height of 1429 meters (4691 ft) and is 60 meters (196 ft) long. The glass floor and railings facilitate unobstructed views of the cliffside below as well as the surrounding area. Beware: the steep drop visible underneath your feat is enough to make even the bravest souls’ knees start to tremble!
CN Tower’s EdgeWalk in Toronto, Canada
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At a height of over 550 meters, Toronto’s CN Tower is the tallest tower in Canada. The skywalk near the top of the tower, called EdgeWalk, is the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk. During the skywalk, you walk across a 1.5 meter (5 ft) wide ledge encircling the top of the tower’s main pod, 356meter (1168 ft) above the ground. Since you’re attached to a railing above your head, visitors are free to walk around and take in the magnificent city views.
Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona, United States
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This glass-bottomed skywalk is located on the west rim of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is known throughout the world for its size and colorful landscape, measuring over 434 km (270 miles) long, up to 29 km (18 miles) wide, and reaching a depth of 1600 meters (5250 ft). Many people consider the Grand Canyon to be one of the seven wonders of the natural world, and the skywalk is one of the best ways to experience it first-hand. Can’t get enough of the view? Stay at one of the best hotels near the Grand Canyon!
