15 scary and awesome viewing platforms

By CNN Staff
Updated 5:50 AM EDT, Fri August 25, 2017
A new 60-meter-long walkway has been unveiled on the outside of the 88th story of Shanghai's Jin Mao Tower. It isn't open to the public yet, but CNN's James Williams has tried it out.
The best way to hang out in Shanghai —
A new 60-meter-long walkway has been unveiled on the outside of the 88th story of Shanghai's Jin Mao Tower. It isn't open to the public yet, but CNN's James Williams has tried it out.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
Visitors to the British Airways i360, in the English seaside town of Brighton, glide 162 meters into the sky while enjoying 360-degree views over the English Channel.
Brighton i360 (UK) —
Visitors to the British Airways i360, in the English seaside town of Brighton, glide 162 meters into the sky while enjoying 360-degree views over the English Channel.
British Airways i360
In June 2016, Los Angeles' US Bank Tower opened <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/25/travel/skyslide-skyspace-la-opens/index.html" target="_blank">an observation deck and glass slide</a>, positioned more than 300 meters (or 1,000 feet) above the city.
US Bank Tower (United States) —
In June 2016, Los Angeles' US Bank Tower opened an observation deck and glass slide, positioned more than 300 meters (or 1,000 feet) above the city.
OUE Skyspace Los Angeles
Visitors to Dachstein's Stairway to Nothingness must first cross Austria's highest bridge, which is 328 feet (100 meters) long and straddles a drop of 1,300 feet (396 meters). Then they face 14 steps that descend from the cliff face and which are surrounded by glass walls.
Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness (Austria) —
Visitors to Dachstein's Stairway to Nothingness must first cross Austria's highest bridge, which is 328 feet (100 meters) long and straddles a drop of 1,300 feet (396 meters). Then they face 14 steps that descend from the cliff face and which are surrounded by glass walls.
courtesy derdachstein.at
The Dachstein Glacier actually comprises eight glaciers and a visit to this high-altitude, glass-bottomed walkway is a great way to see them all. On a clear day, the Triglav mountains of Slovenia and the forests of the Czech Republic can be seen.
Dachstein Glacier Skywalk (Austria) —
The Dachstein Glacier actually comprises eight glaciers and a visit to this high-altitude, glass-bottomed walkway is a great way to see them all. On a clear day, the Triglav mountains of Slovenia and the forests of the Czech Republic can be seen.
courtesy derdachstein.at
The Alpspitze viewing platform comprises two steel beams, both of which measure 79 feet (24 meters) in length. Visitors brave enough to walk to the end of the glass-walled platforms can look 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) down into the valley.
AlpspiX viewing platform (Germany) —
The Alpspitze viewing platform comprises two steel beams, both of which measure 79 feet (24 meters) in length. Visitors brave enough to walk to the end of the glass-walled platforms can look 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) down into the valley.
courtesy Benedikt Lechner
The Skywalk extends 624 feet (190 meters) into the Kinzua Gorge. Glass panels allow visitors to peer into the gorge below.
Kinzua Skywalk (United States) —
The Skywalk extends 624 feet (190 meters) into the Kinzua Gorge. Glass panels allow visitors to peer into the gorge below.
courtesy kinzua skywalk
Located on the roof of the CN Tower's restaurant at a height of 1,168 feet (356 meters), the EdgeWalk in Toronto allows visitors to slip into climbing harnesses and walk around the edge of Canada's tallest structure.
EdgeWalk CN Tower (Canada) —
Located on the roof of the CN Tower's restaurant at a height of 1,168 feet (356 meters), the EdgeWalk in Toronto allows visitors to slip into climbing harnesses and walk around the edge of Canada's tallest structure.
courtesy cn tower
Visitors who step into one of the Ledge boxes in Chicago can see for 50 miles across four states. It's a popular site for marriage proposals and you can even get married there too.
The Ledge (United States) —
Visitors who step into one of the Ledge boxes in Chicago can see for 50 miles across four states. It's a popular site for marriage proposals and you can even get married there too.
courtesy skydeck willis tower
The Cliffwalk is a 700-foot (213-meter) walkway attached to a granite cliff face above the Capilano River in British Columbia. The highest point is 300 feet (90 meters) above the river.
Cliffwalk (Canada) —
The Cliffwalk is a 700-foot (213-meter) walkway attached to a granite cliff face above the Capilano River in British Columbia. The highest point is 300 feet (90 meters) above the river.
courtesy capilano cliffwalk
The Shard in London is the tallest building in Western Europe. The View From The Shard is located on floors 68, 69 and 72. The best panoramas are from floor 72, at a height of 800 feet (244 meters). This open-air observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city.
The View from The Shard (England) —
The Shard in London is the tallest building in Western Europe. The View From The Shard is located on floors 68, 69 and 72. The best panoramas are from floor 72, at a height of 800 feet (244 meters). This open-air observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city.
courtesy view from the shard
The lookout, commissioned by the Norwegian Highway Department as part of a project to improve the appearance of the country's tourist routes, allows visitors to look straight down into the Aurlandsfjord, 2,000 feet (609 meters) below.
Stegastein lookout (Norway) —
The lookout, commissioned by the Norwegian Highway Department as part of a project to improve the appearance of the country's tourist routes, allows visitors to look straight down into the Aurlandsfjord, 2,000 feet (609 meters) below.
courtesy nils vik
The Tokyo Skytree is Japan's tallest structure, with a height of 2,080 feet (634 meters). The lower observation deck is located at 1,148 feet (350 meters). The upper one, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and 360-degree views of the city, is perched at 1,476 feet (450 meters).
Tokyo Skytree observation decks (Japan) —
The Tokyo Skytree is Japan's tallest structure, with a height of 2,080 feet (634 meters). The lower observation deck is located at 1,148 feet (350 meters). The upper one, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and 360-degree views of the city, is perched at 1,476 feet (450 meters).
courtesy tokyo sky tree
The Top of Tyrol viewing platform was completed in 2008 and provides visitors with spectacular views over 103 peaks. All of the parts -- including 19 tons of steel -- were lowered into place by helicopter.
Top of Tyrol Stubai Glacier (Austria) —
The Top of Tyrol viewing platform was completed in 2008 and provides visitors with spectacular views over 103 peaks. All of the parts -- including 19 tons of steel -- were lowered into place by helicopter.
courtesy anto wolfgang zajc
The best views of Italy's Merano region are from this binocular-shaped viewing platform, high above the gardens' huge oak forest. The viewing platform is just one of several within the gardens, which in 2005 were named Italy's most beautiful gardens.
Matteo Thun's Viewing Platform (Italy) —
The best views of Italy's Merano region are from this binocular-shaped viewing platform, high above the gardens' huge oak forest. The viewing platform is just one of several within the gardens, which in 2005 were named Italy's most beautiful gardens.
courtesy sudtirolmarketing
This steel and glass, horseshoe-shaped walkway extends 70 feet (21 meters) over the lip of the Grand Canyon, almost one mile above the valley floor. Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin was the first person to step onto the Skywalk, which cost $30 million to build.
Grand Canyon Skywalk (United States) —
This steel and glass, horseshoe-shaped walkway extends 70 feet (21 meters) over the lip of the Grand Canyon, almost one mile above the valley floor. Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin was the first person to step onto the Skywalk, which cost $30 million to build.
courtesy arizona tourism
Scary-but-awesome viewing platforms

Story highlights

Visitors to Shanghai's 340-meter-high Skywalk held only by safety harness

Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness in Austria straddles a drop of 1,300 feet

CNN  — 

Think you can handle a 340-meter-high, open-air glass walkway?

Shanghai Skywalk, which was unveiled in July, is the latest daredevil challenge for fear-free travelers.

1. Shanghai Skywalk (China)

spc in 24 hours shanghai skywalk _00004322.jpg
Shanghai Skywalk: 340 meters up and no handrail
00:47 - Source: CNN

At Shanghai’s 88-story Jin Mao Tower, visitors will be able to walk around a new glass walkway on the outside of the building, 340 meters above the city.

Tickets aren’t yet on general sale – and there’s no confirmation when they will be – but when CNN visited Shanghai for travel series “In 24 Hours,” host James Williams just had to try it out.

Jin Mao Tower; 88 Century Ave, LuJiaZui, Pudong Xinqu, China; 200120

2. Brighton i360 (UK)

The i360 cost $55.9 million to build.
The i360 cost $55.9 million to build.
British Airways i360/Visual Air

The world’s tallest moving observation tower, the 162-meter British Airways i360, opened in Brighton, England in August 2016.

MORE: Brighton i360: New ‘vertical pier’ is world’s tallest moving observation tower

3. SkySlide at Skyspace LA (United States)

LA skyslide sidner pkg _00003627.jpg
Sliding above Los Angeles
01:29 - Source: CNN

Since June 2016, visitors to the new OUE SkySpace LA observation deck atop Los Angeles’ U.S. Bank Tower have been able to coast down the SkySlide, a glass chute affixed to the outside of the building, going from the 70th floor to the 69th.

MORE: New slide: You, some glass and 1,000 feet of nothing

OUE SkySpace; 633 West Fifth Street, Suite 840, Los Angeles, CA 90071; +213 894 9000; admission $25 for adults

You, some glass and 1,000 feet of nothing

4. Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness (Austria)

Visitors to Dachstein’s Stairway to Nothingness must first cross Austria’s highest bridge, the 100-meter-long Dachstein suspension bridge which straddles a drop of 396 meters.

The entire structure took six months to build and was created by an engineering firm specializing in high-altitude construction.

Dachstein Glacier Skywalk, Dachstein Glacier, Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria; +43 22042 800; admission: free

Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness, Dachstein Glacier, Austria; +43 0 3687/22042; admission $11 for adults

MORE: Insider Guide: Best of Vienna

5. Tokyo Skytree observation decks (Japan)

The Tokyo Skytree is Japan’s tallest structure, with a height of 2,080 feet (634 meters).

The upper one, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and 360-degree-views of the city, has a height of 1476 feet (450 meters).

Tokyo Skytree, 1-1-2, Oshiage, Sumida, Tokyo; +81 (0)3 3623 0634; admission from $10 for adults

6. Kinzua Skywalk (United States)

The best way to recycle a viaduct.
The best way to recycle a viaduct.
courtesy kinzua skywalk

When the Kinzua Viaduct was built in Pennsylvania in 1882, it was the longest and highest viaduct in the world.

In 2003, a tornado destroyed 11 of the 20 towers and it was decided that the remaining towers would be used to support the Skywalk.

Kinzua Skywalk, 1721 Lindholm Drive, Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania; +1 814 965 2646; admission: free

7. AlpspiX viewing platform (Germany)

At the base of Germany’s Alpspitze mountain, the AlpspiX viewing platform comprises two steel beams, both of which measure 79 feet (24 meters) in length.

AlpspiX viewing platform, Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; admission: free

8. EdgeWalk CN Tower (Canada)

Located on the roof of the CN Tower’s restaurant at a height of 1,168 feet (356 meters), the EdgeWalk allows visitors to slip into climbing harnesses and walk around the edge of Canada’s tallest structure.

The EdgeWalk holds the world record for world’s highest external walk attached to a building. CN Tower also has a glass-floored observation deck and outdoor SkyTerrace.

EdgeWalk, CN Tower, 301 Front St. W., Toronto; +1 416 601 3833; EdgeWalk Experience costs $145 (CAD $195)

9. The Ledge (United States)

The Ledge: One of the world's highest wedding venues.
The Ledge: One of the world's highest wedding venues.
courtesy skydeck willis tower

The four boxes that make up The Ledge experience in Willis Tower, Chicago, are made from half-ton panels of glass. The walls consist of three layers, each half an inch thick.

It’s a popular site for wedding proposals – as if popping the question wasn’t scary enough – and visitors can even get married in them.

The Ledge, Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago; +1 312 875 0066; admission $22 for adults

10. Cliffwalk (Canada)

The Cliffwalk is a 700-feet (213 meter) walkway attached to a granite cliff face above the Capilano River in British Columbia, Canada. The highest point is 300 feet (90 meters) above the river.

To attach the Cliffwalk, 16 anchor points were drilled 19 feet (six meters) into the rock face using 1,825 bolts, and 40 tons of steel were used.

Cliffwalk, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia; +1 604 985 7474; admission $30 (CAD $39.95)

MORE: How to pretend you’re Canadian when you travel

11. The View from The Shard (England)

London’s The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe and The View From The Shard is located on floors 68, 69 and 72.

The View from The Shard, 96 Tooley St., London; +44 0844 499 7111; admission from $32 for adults (advance tickets)

MORE: Incredible aerial photographs of London by night

12. Stegastein lookout (Norway)

The platform's almost as beautiful as the view.
The platform's almost as beautiful as the view.
courtesy nils vik

The glass panel at the end of this walkway gives visitors the impression they could simply fall off the end.

Stegastein lookout, Aurland-Laerdal Road, Aurland, Norway; +47 57 631400; admission is free, but the easiest way to access it is by a sightseeing tour from Flam ($34)

13. Top of Tyrol Stubai Glacier (Austria)

The Top of Tyrol viewing platform in Austria was completed in 2008 and provides visitors with spectacular views over 103 peaks.

Top of Tyrol, Stubai Glacier, Austria; admission free

14. Matteo Thun’s Viewing Platform (Italy)

Spectacular views of Italy's most beautiful gardens.
Spectacular views of Italy's most beautiful gardens.
courtesy sudtirolmarketing

The best views of Italy’s Merano region are from this binocular-shaped viewing platform, high above the gardens’ huge oak forest.

Matteo Thun’s Viewing Platform, Gardens of Trauttmansdorff, Via San Valentino, 51/a, 39012 Merano Bolzano, Italy; +39 0473 255600; admission $13.30 for adults

MORE: 10 things Italy does better than anywhere else

15. Grand Canyon Skywalk (United States)

This steel and glass, horseshoe-shaped walkway extends 70 feet (21 meters) over the lip of the Grand Canyon, almost one mile above the valley floor.

Grand Canyon Skywalk, 5001 Buck n Doe Road. Grand Canyon West, Arizona; +1 888 868 WEST; Gold package admission, including Skywalk, from $71.38

This story was originally published in September 2013. It was updated and revised in November 2016.

Freelance writer Tamara Hinson contributed to this story

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