10 Skywalks In the World That Allow A Stroll In The Clouds

Some wonders are natural. There are however many wonders that are man-made. The best of them are skywalks that give you thrill of danger without having to face it.

Here are the world's ten best skywalks:

Grand Canyon Skywalk, USA 

If it is not good enough for you simply stare at wonder of the beautiful formations of Grand Canyon in Arizona in the US, there is more. A horseshoe shaped skywalk was built in 2007, for those who want to walk in and look down to the base of the Colarado river. Beware, the river is around 800 feet below. It cost around $30 million to build the 70 feet walk. There are however larger plans to expand the conservatory with a VIP lounge, a movie theatre, gift shop and more. It already attracts around 370,000 visitors annually.

The Ledge at Willis Towers in the US

Come to The Ledge, on 103rd floor of the Willis Towers, which is the tallest tower of the Western Hemisphere (Picture Credit: wikimedia.org)

It is Chicago's biggest dare! Come to The Ledge, on 103rd floor of the Willis Towers (formerly called Sears Towers), which is the tallest tower of the Western Hemisphere. There is not much area to walk around but very few manage to stand without going week on the knees as it is 1,353 feet above the ground and the floor is made of glass! The Ledge was opened in 1974 and attracts more than 1.5 million visitors every year. It is also an architectural wonder as the glass boxes can be retracted into the building to allow for cleaning.

Glacier Skywalk at Jasper National Park, Canada 

The U-shaped glass skywalk takes you on a 275 meter stroll at the Jasper national park at Alberta in Canada. (Picture credit: http://airoplane.net/)

There is something to learn too when you are hiking up the Canadian Rockies. This is the latest addition to the best skywalks in the world. The U-shaped glass skywalk takes you on a 275 meter stroll at the Jasper national park at Alberta in Canada. It is 918 feet above the ground and overlooks gasp-inspiring mountains and glaciers. You can take a good view of the Athabasca Glacier which leads into the Columbia Icefield. Water from the Columbia Icefield flows to three different oceans. Carry the toughest windbreaker along with you, though. It is going to be chilly.

Sky Pod at C N Tower, Canada

This skywalk at the Canadian National Express Towers, in Toronto, has a glass floor and is 1,122 feet above the ground! (Picture Credit: wikimedia.org) 

This skywalk at the Canadian National Express Towers, in Toronto, Ontario is designed to thrill. It has a glass floor which is 113 floor and 1,122 feet above the ground! There is also an Outdoor sky terrace for those want to feel the nip in the air. Was this too breezy for you? Go 33 storeys higher to Sky Pod and see what is in radius of a hundred miles, which is basically the entire Toronto city. The tower challenges you more. They recently came up with yet another thrill called Edge Walk which is a full circle hands free walk over the ledge of the building where tourists can walk in groups of six.

Tianmen Mountain skywalk, China

This is the second highest skywalk on this list and also the remotest, 800 miles away from Shanghai. (Picture Credit: flickr.com) 

This is the second highest skywalk on this list. It is also the remotest of them all, at 800 miles away from Shanghai. It is also situated on a mountain called Tianmen which means sky hole in Mandarin. It is worth it. The 1.6 meter glass skywalk is 4,700 feet above the ground and has breathtaking views of mountains in the Hunan province apart from the thrills. Make sure that the view does the knock your socks off. The rule on this walk is that you have to walk only in socks as the authorities are unable to find workers who are willing to go that high to clean it!

Skywalk 100 at Shanghai World Financial Centre, China 

The Shanghai World Financial Centre is the world's second tallest building in the world with two skywalks for tourists. (Picture Credit: flickr.com) 

China spent the last seven years building awe-inspiring structures. It probably wanted to make it to this list! And, it did. The Shanghai World Financial Centre is the world's second tallest building in the world, located in the country's largest city. It has two skywalks for tourists who want see how want to see the spectacular sights of the city and Huang Pu river. There is Sky Walk 97 which is 1,440 feet above the ground, is open designed roof that lets you see the blue sky and also the city below. The best of the lot is still Sky Walk 100 which is 55 meters long and 1,555 feet above the ground, making it one of the world's highest observatories. The transparent glass walled skywalk is designed to make people feel that they're walking in the air, over the city!

Skywalk X at Macau, China

Situated on Macau Towers, Skywalk X is 233 meters long and 764 feet high and has no handrails! (Picture Credit: flickr.com) 

Situated on Macau Towers, Skywalk X is 233 meters long and 764 feet high. Doesn't sound like much of a thrill, right? It is 1.8 meters wide and has no handrails. You will also be walking outside the tower, across its perimeter. They make sure that you will not fall off with safety jackets and belts. All you have to do is get out and sit outside, and enjoy being on the top. Of course, you can also see the sights of the beautiful fun city of Macau. It is aptly located in the city where people come for fun and adventure.

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, Australia

This steel skywalk in Queensland is around 100 feet above the ground, designed for tourists to explore the rainforest (Picture Credit: flickr.com) 

Want a wonderful view of Australian flora and fauna on this 40-metre long skywalk right in the middle of the Tamborine forest in Queensland. The steel skywalk is around 100 feet above the ground and is designed for tourists to explore and the upper and lower canopies of the rainforest. There is much more than the tall trees and their leaves. There are rockpools, waterfalls, butterfly lookouts and many more to explore as you stroll along the skywalk. Carry a notebook and a pencil along. This is a costly but the most useful biology lesson you ever take.

Supertree Grove Skywalk, Singapore

The Supertree in Singapore is a 72 feet high and 128 meter long structure (Picture Credit: wikimedia.org) 

What is better than a tree? A supertree. That is what Singaporeans call their trees which are as tall is 16 storey buildings! Go on top of the 72 feet high structure, but you have to take your time as it is 128 meter long, allowing you to explore it completely. The trees were built to balance the super tall structures in the financial hub. While checking out the frames and structures on which they were built, also get a bird's eye view of the skyscrapers that made it necessary for them to grow them.

Top of Tyrol Glacier Skywalk, Austria

When on the summit platform of Top of Tyrol Stubai Glacier, you look into an abyss as the steel and rock skywalk is built in with rock anchors (Picture Credit: www.austria.info) 

Want to see what is on the top of a peak, or a glacier? Then, be ready to go 10,400 feet above the sea level. Yes, there is no ground below. When on the summit platform of Top of Tyrol Stubai Glacier, you look into an abyss as the steel and rock skywalk is built in with rock anchors. It was built by lowering tones and tones of steel and a gigantic hand railing using a helicopter. That makes it important for you spend some time wondering at the architecture of the platform built in 2008, even as you busy yourself wondering at the glaciers.

(Katya Naidu has been working as a business journalist for the last nine years, and has covered beats across banking, pharma, healthcare, telecom, technology, power, infrastructure, shipping and commodities)