1.Dachstein Sky Walk ( Austria )
Nicknamed the "balcony of the alps," the Dachstein Sky Walk is
formally enthroned at 2700m above sea-level, high up on the 250m
vertical rock face of the Hunerkogel. A 360o panorama allows the
visitor a view of Slovenia in the south to the Czech Republic in
the north. The Sky Walk is distinctly higher than the platforms of
the Niagara Falls or even the one at the Iguazu waterfalls in
Brazil .
2.Aurland Lookout ( Norway )
Architects Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen were commissioned
to design a scenic rest-stop 2000ft above Aurland fjord in Norway
and came up with this beauty wining the first prize in Norwegian
tourist routes competition. The outermost end of the horizontal
platform - which curves to form the structure's support - is closed
off by a sheet of glass, offering an incredible view towards the
ground for all those with the guts to make the trip to the end.
3.Grand Canyon Skywalk ( Arizona - USA )
This horseshoe-shaped pant-filler hangs approximately 4000ft
above the floor and extends 65ft beyond the edge of the Grand
Canyon . The Horseshoe shaped skywalk is constructed of glass walls
4" thick and visitors must don special scratch-proof socks as they
partake in the view. The work is a true engineering feat that can
hold up to 70 tons (roughly 14 African Elephants) and withstands
winds of 100mph.
4.Su spended platform at Iguazu Falls ( Brazil and Argentina
)
While the falls themselves are magnificent, their setting in a
huge subtropical nature reserve makes visiting even more enjoyable.
To fully appreciate their size and splendor it's worthwhile viewing
the falls from the skywalk. The viewing platform is so close you
are instantly drenched by spray and deafened by the roar of water
plunging over an 80m cliff.
5. Auckland 's Sky Tower ( New Zealand )
Auckland 's 328m Sky Tower is the southern hemisphere's tallest
structure. It took 2000 tons of reinforcing steel, 660 tons of
structural steel and 15,000m3 of concrete to erect it. It can
withstand 200km/h winds, earthquakes up to eight on the Richter
scale and on a clear day, visibility is around 82km. The highest
indoor point is Sky Deck, which has seamless glass giving unimpeded
360º views.
6.Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk ( Australia )
This walk opened recently after five months of construction.
Located at Knights Hill up high on the escarpment near Robertson in
the Southern Highlands, the Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk allows
visitors to walk among the rainforest canopy 25m above the ground
on a steel platform. The 500m elevated walkway features cantilever
arms that take visitors to the edge of the escarpment and offer
inspiring views of the coastline from Kiama through to
Shellharbour.
7.Landscape Promontory ( Switzerland )
The landscape promontory is a suspended viewing platform
designed by Paolo Bürgi as part of the Cardada project, a
revitalization of the Cardada mountain that is expected to finish
in 2010. The passageway is made of steel and titanium leads to the
lookout platform with a view of Lago Maggiore. The landscape
panorama is not the only thing that visitors are meant to
appreciate. Symbols in the paving with accompanying texts in the
railing provide references to history and literature.
8.Infinity Room at House on the Rock ( Wisconsin - USA )
The House on the Rock, originally opened in 1959, is a complex
of architecturally unique rooms, streets, gardens and shops
designed by Alex Jordan, Jr. It is located in Spring Green,
Wisconsin and is a regional tourist attraction. The Infinity Room
at the House extends several hundred feet over the valley, without
supports underneath, and is lined with over 3000 handmade
windows.
9.Il binocolo ( Italy )
Within the gardens of Trauttmansdorff castle in Italy you'll
find this charming steel platform poking out through the trees, its
name (meaning 'the binoculars') coming from the shape of the
platform's small roof and the view of the surrounding landscape.
Designed by architect Matteo Thun.
10.Top of Tyrol ( Austria )
Top of Tyrol by Astearchitecture is a viewing platform located
3000m above sea level at the Stubai Glacier in Tyrol , Austria .
Weathering steel was used in the construction of this structure to
account for the extreme weather conditions so you can stand 9m away
from the mountain with a perfect view of Stubai glacier.