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Canopy Walkways
During my recent visit to Gunung Mulu , I enjoyed an early morning walk on what they claim to be the world’s longest tree-based canopy walkway. It indeed is a truly adventurous one consisting of 15 long and narrow rope bridges connecting the trees. Only two people are allowed on each stretch at the same time. Another good one that I visited on the same trip was at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan; this is a more accessible skywalk with unobstructed views, and it is excellent for birds . The guide told me that on the hardcore birding tours they stay here for 5 hours, between 6 and 11 a.m.
The Definition
Canopy Walkways are structures that provide pedestrian access to a forest canopy. Sometimes they are also identified as skywalks or elevated walkways. For their construction, a lot of high trees obviously are needed, as well as a feel for adventure tourism and an expectation of a high number of visitors to get a return on the considerable investment. China seems to mostly have gone for the Glass floored Skywalks which are more like viewing platforms. Zip Lines are also similar, but are covered by their own connection as well.
So far we only had 7 WHS with ‘proper’ Canopy Walkways connected, but there are certainly more. In some countries (Australia!) it really is a craze. There are many in the world but not as much within the core zone of a WHS as it involves a fair bit of construction in a nature area. No wonder several can be found in the more cultivated setting of botanical gardens instead.
I managed to find the following additional ones:
- The " Baumkronenpfad " at Hainich National Park, one of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests (photo 2).
- The SPH Walk of Giants in the Singapore Botanic Gardens .
- The Daintree Discovery Centre Aerial Walkway – an additional one to the Wet Tropics of Queensland WHS.
Record Claims
From the 10 Canopy Walkways now in our connection,
- The one in Hainich NP is the longest: 540m.
- The Canopy Walk in Poring ( Kinabalu NP ) is the highest: up to 41m above the ground.
- The one in Lamington NP ( Gondwana Rainforests ) is the oldest: it has been there since 1987.
Finally, a few honorary mentions, although these do not qualify for the connection (yet). Just outside the Sardona WHS in Laax only recently The Senda dil Dragun walkway has opened. At 1.5 km, this now is the longest treetop walkway in the world. The Tahune Airwalk lies just outside the Huon-Picton area of the Southwest National Park in the Tasmanian Wilderness but with views of it. And the Redwood Canopy Trail at Klamath claims to be amid the Redwood State Parks , but is a commercial affair just outside.
The TWHS of Nyungwe (a 2023 nomination) also has one of the best according to Lonely Planet .
Do you know of any other Canopy Walkways inside the borders of a WHS? Or was a visit to one of those mentioned above particularly memorable?
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