beautiful landscapes and a lot of vertigo

Panoramic in height, sensations in which a share of irresistible curiosity and the same amount (or not) of vertigo is mixed. And the promise of a vista memorableimpressive, unique.

There is a strong appeal in this “climb and see”. There is a reason why many destinations in the world have on their travel lists. unmissable different types of viewpoints or towers that offer a tourist and architectural experience. If you add a glass floor and the emotion of standing above the void to the issue of heights, interest skyrockets.

When they inaugurated the glass bridge over the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, in China, in 2016, they had to close it after a few days because the number of people who came far exceeded what was estimated.

Bridges, walkways and floors of buildings incorporate glass areas to feel, for a little while, that one is almost walking on air.

The formula combines urban settings – such as the SkyDeck of the Willis Tower in Chicago, the glass floor of the Tower Bridge in London or the Dubai Frame – or attractive natural landscapes, and an invitation to stand, walk and circulate on a transparent floor.

Here is a brief selection of proposals in natural places to have the world at your feet.

“A step into the Void” (or Step into the Void in English). This is the name of this viewpoint of the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc at the top of Mount Aiguille du Midi.

The construction is designed in cube at 3,842 meters and the marketing name says it all: you take a step and immediately find yourself with a great void at your feet since that kind of box is entirely made of glass… resistant, yes.

First we get situated. We are in Chamonixa French town in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, at the foot of Mont Blanc, considered the highest point in the European Union.

Step into the Void es una crystal room designed by Pierre-Yves Chays. Its walls, floor and ceiling are transparent and invite you to stand over a thousand-meter void.

This particular viewpoint – on the website they define it as a “technological feat” – was inaugurated in December 2013 and access is included for those who use the Chamonix Aiguille du Midi cable car (the 2024 summer season rate is 57.50 euros per person).

They say that here “excitement is guaranteed”.

Incredible glacial landscapes, waterfalls, turquoise lakes, fossils with history, mountain goats, eagles and much more. In the Rockies of Canada, in the province of Alberta, a visit to this region that houses the Columbia ice field – between the Banff and Jasper national parks – allows you to peer into the geological heart of the planet and is not to be missed.

Beyond the tours and activities available to travelers in these natural areas, the Glacier Skywalk is proposed as “one step beyond the edge of the valley” and attracts about 375,000 people each year.

“We take visitors on a journey deep into the wonders of this magical place, sharing our expert knowledge and prioritizing preservation through responsible exploration,” they say on the site.

Although the name seems similar to that of the glass box in France, the architectural proposal is different: here we have a circular glass walkway suspended over a 280-meter void.

The architectural firm in charge of this construction, which dates back to 2012, was Sturgess Architecture. “The Skywalk functions as a interpretive display outdoor that takes users to a glass floor located 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley,” they explain.

It must be taken into account that this place can be visited between May and October, and the recommendations are to dress in layers, it is especially advisable to have a waterproof and windproof layer, bring binoculars and take advantage of the audio guides that are available in 4 languages.

For several years now, China has emerged as a magnet for tourists in search of dizzying and crystal-clear proposals, with bridges and walkways that surpass each other in audacity, from the bridge in the Three Gorges of Huangchuan – one of the longest in the world, supports pedestrians and also cars-, to the Taihang Mountain Bridge, which has the particular effect of “breaking” as visitors pass.

In the Zhangjiajie region (Hunan), the national forest park is a must-see for lovers of the 2009 film Avatar: there are several column-shaped mountains that inspired the landscapes of James Cameron’s film. The place aroused so much interest that the “Column of the Southern Sky” became officially known as “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain” in 2010.

Over the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon there is an impressive glass bridge that opened in August 2016 and was a record high and long bridge. Located between two cliffs, it is 430 meters in total length, 6 meters wide, more than 120 glass panels (each has 3 layers) and is suspended 300 meters above the ground.

A curious fact that we mentioned in passing at the beginning: just a few days after its inauguration – surrounded by much global expectation – the authorities had to close access. The forecasts regarding the number of visitors were far exceeded. They expected about eight thousand people a day and 80 thousand were arriving.

Once the matter was sorted, it reopened although several rules had to be adhered to: only up to 800 visitors were allowed on the bridge at a time and you could only enter with a small purse or bag. Backpacks are left in closets arranged for this purpose. You should also know that access may be closed to the public due to bad weather, wind or heavy rain.

Admission to the bridge costs about $20 per person. In addition, at the bottom of the bridge there are 3 long hammocks and bungee jumping is possible (similar to bungee jumping).

In the same region is Tianmen Mountain – famous because it has a large natural hole, the Heavenly Gatewhich gives its name to the mountain – which, among other things, has a glass walkway.

It is an impressive route 100 meters long and 1.6 meters wide, at 1,400 meters high. You walk on a transparent floor, close to the walls of the mountain. Much to see and know on the other side of the world.

Inaugurated in March 2007 and after four years of construction, this viewpoint is a large semicircular glass and steel platform.

At the time of its opening it was considered the largest glass cantilever bridge in the world. It is 20 meters long and proposes walking on a cliff 1,200 meters above the Colorado River. It is within the Hualapai Indian reservation, in the Grand Canyon West’s Eagle Point and next to the Grand Canyon National Park, an iconic destination in the United States.

The Skywalk is guarantee of very good views and a different perspective of the Grand Canyon. And while it can hold up to 800 people at a time, only 120 are allowed in at a time.

In addition to enjoying the views in the middle of the air, some of the highlights are the formation known as Eagle Rock and the shadow of the Princess and the Horse.

“The glass bridge can withstand a magnitude 8.0 earthquake, wind speeds of up to 160 km per hour and can withstand the weight of seventy-one 747 airliners. Since its opening, the world-famous structure has welcomed more than 10 million of visitors”, they explain on the official website.

Before entering the walkway you must store all belongings personal information in a free locker. Access with purses, backpacks, mobile phones or cameras is not permitted.

As the largest number of people enter between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., the suggestion is to arrive early or take the last tickets in the afternoon (at 5:30 p.m. between March and October; from 4:30 p.m. from November to early March).

But we must also keep in mind that the Skywalk is only one of the proposals of Gran Canyon West, a place that offers many others. adventure activities for family fun.

General admission to the reserve plus the Skywalk costs between $68 and $74 per person. In addition, there are passes that include meals, ziplining, rafting and even a helicopter flight.

100 km from Salzburg, a place and many proposals to appreciate the amazing mountain views of the area: a suspension bridge, a Stairway to Heavena Stairway to Nothinga panoramic gondola, etc.

The heart is the Dachstein glacier and the majesty of the Austrian Alps can be enjoyed from various perspectives and experiences that have been added in recent years and that underpin a place that was born as a ski resort, but that due to meteorologically complicated years, with strong heat waves added to the retreat of the glacier, they reduced the possibilities of alpine skiing, the original business.

since last year they reoriented the proposals focusing on cross-country or cross-country skiing and other attractions. The 100 meter long suspension bridge – the highest in Austria – is a must-see along with the staircase “to Nothing” with 14 narrow stepswhich ends in a glass platform, leaving the tourist directly on a cliff, 400 m high.

“Visitors can experience the impressive sensation of being suspended above the rocks, with their gaze on the Alps,” said the resort’s directors in several interviews.

Official recommendations: wear good shoes and warm clothing; Dogs are not allowed on the suspension bridge, on the Stairway to Nothing or in the Ice Palace.

The Stairway to Heaven has 12 ascending steps to the glass platform and is accessed via the panoramic terrace of the Dachstein Glacier restaurant.

How much does all this cost? There is a combined ticket that includes panoramic gondola, access to the bridge and both stairs, among other things for 59.50 euros per person.

At the end of April 2022, Vietnam inaugurated a 632 meter glass bridge -adds the walkway that runs next to the cliff and the bridge itself- between two mountains, in the province of Son La, about 150 meters above the jungle. A good post-pandemic boost for tourism in Vietnam.

The name means “white dragon” and gives the idea that the bridge winds along the cliff. It has a French-made tempered glass base that they say can hold up to 450 people at a time.

A month after opening, it received the Guinness Record certificate as the “longest glass bridge in the world.”