A walk through the golden-hued countrysides of Europe or the rainbow rainforests of the Amazon might be a wonderful addition to your trip but a wander through the sky on a canopy walkway offers a whole new perspective on some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.
Canopy walkways highlight nature like never before: a chance to get up close and personal with both flora and fauna as mist enshrouds the forests below, animals lazily stroll around and the sun paints the sky as the hours pass.
Treetop walks are also a brilliant and eco-friendly way to travel; mostly formed from sustainable materials, they’re usually designed to blend into their striking surroundings, allowing the natural world to rightfully do the talking.
You’ll find breathtaking canopy walkways dotted across the world, on almost every continent proudly showing off its unique plants, flowers and creatures.
Meander through forests and jungles at the point where the sky touches the treetops, going eye-to-eye with the birds and the monkeys in one of these truly exhilarating experiences.
11 Best canopy walkways in the world
| Name | Country |
|---|---|
| The Valley of the Giants | Australia |
| Capilano Treetop | Canada |
| Monteverde Park | Costa Rica |
| Lipno Treetop Walkway | Czech Republic |
| Inkaterra | Peru |
| Nyungwe National Park Canopy Walkway | Rwanda |
| Kakum National Park | Ghana |
| Iwokrama Canopy Walkway | Guyana |
| Hainich National Park | Germany |
| Kirstenbosch Tree Canopy Walkway | South Africa |
| Ulu Temburong National Park | Brunei |
The Valley of the Giants, Australia
Much like everything in Australia, The Valley of the Giants is impressive and larger-than-life in the best way possible. Set in an iconic region on the south coast of western Australia, The Valley of the Giants is a 40 metre (131 feet) high canopy walkway with incredible views set high up around the treetops. 600 metres (1968 feet) of walkway promises views unlike any other in the world, with Australia’s famous timber giants paving the way throughout the Walpole-Nornalup National Park and Walpole Wilderness.
The giant eucalyptus spotted here aren’t seen anywhere else in the world and have been standing proudly for the last 400 years. This is a walk you’ll want to meander through slowly: one where you’ll reach the final few metres and feel disappointed that you’ve reached the end, while simultaneously feeling a little overwhelmed by some of the best nature in the world literally at your fingertips.
Capilano Treetop, Canada
Towering evergreens, cedar-scented rainforest air and views of the Capilano River down below are just some of the magical features around you at north Vancouver’s Capilano Treetop walk. A series of elevated suspension bridges sitting 33.5 metres (110 feet) above ground offer a squirrel-esque adventure through nature.
The Capilano Treetop canopy walk comes with a few different variations, in a “choose your own adventure” style depending on how daring you are and what you want to see. Opt for the adrenaline pumping cliff walk for some of the most awe-inspiring Vancouver views around you, or go on a treetops adventure for a slightly less heart-racing stroll through the leaves. The latter is one the most popular experiences here and sits among 250 year old Douglas-firs. Visit during the Christmas season for “Lights with Heights”, when the entire canopy walk is lit up with thousands of gently glowing bulbs.
Monteverde Park, Costa Rica
Head to Costa Rica for an adventure park with a difference. Monteverde Park offers spectacular greenery in every direction, on a treetop walk so high you almost feel like you’ve passed up through the trees and into the bright blue sky itself. Monteverde Park is the place to go to be at one with a beautiful cloud forest canopy, offering incredible vantage points while being safe and steady enough for even the most cautious of cloud-walkers.
This is a canopy walkway that offers everything at a high level: from the bridges themselves, which sit between 52 metres and 170 metres (170 – 560 feet), to the 1.5 metre (five feet) width of each bridge or the fact that, with a capacity of up to 80 people per bridge, it’s not only the longest bridge system in Costa Rica but also the safest and strongest. The 3km (1.9 mile) trail takes approximately an hour and a half, so bring comfortable shoes.
Lipno Treetop Walkway, Czech Republic
Lipno Treetop Walkway is an authentic and laidback wooden structure in the Czech Republic, with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and fresh air that blows a lovely breeze on your face. This barrier-free path is beautiful no matter what time of year you visit: come in the springtime for the charming European sunshine or visit during winter for a snow-capped experience with a backdrop of the surrounding Šumava countryside and the distant Alps.
There’s not really a ‘best’ time to visit this canopy walkway, but during July and August it’s open until midnight, when a night-time stroll offers a popular and unique activity in the region. Less intimidating than other treetop walks around the world, the Lipno Treetop Walkway sits at a maximum height of 40 metres (131 feet). What it lacks in skyscraper heights, it more than makes up for with its endless picturesque views and almost traditional feel.
Inkaterra, Peru
Experience the Amazon rainforest from a different perspective with a stroll across the magnificent Inkaterra canopy walkway. Created in partnership with National Geographic and World Bank, this half-day trip in Peru is a must-see when you’re only a stone’s throw from some of the world’s most impressive flora and fauna. The Inkaterra canopy gives you a bird’s eye perspective of the Amazon jungle from heights of 32 metres (103 feet) above the ground across seven hanging bridges and six treetop observation platforms.
Part of the fun of this canopy walkway is its unexpectedness: with millions of species still undiscovered down below, you never know quite what to expect. Spanning 344 metres (1135 feet) from start to finish, the Inkaterra walkway is one of the most modern and sophisticated in the world and is made almost entirely from ecological materials. It’s a walkway that allows a fresh look at nature while doing its best to promote its continuation, quietly.
Nyungwe National Park Canopy Walkway, Rwanda
A trip to Rwanda isn’t complete without a safari visit and a chance to take in the country’s breathtaking nature. Luckily, a day spent exploring Nyungwe National Park Canopy Walkway offers an exhilarating look at both at the same time. A canopy walkway that’s akin to something from a nature documentary or perhaps your dreams, Nyungwe National Park walkway is a two-hour adventure across a suspended bridge 70 metres (230 feet) high into the air that spans 160 metres (525 feet) above numerous wild species.
This canopy walkway doesn’t hold back when it comes to showing off: throughout the walk you can spot more than 1000 different tree species and 300 bird species. Take a look closer and you might be fortunate enough to spot blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and possibly even the rare Ruwenzori Colobus monkey. This hotbed of biodiversity also offers countless butterflies, orchids and other rainbow-hued sights across every step of the walk.
Kakum National Park, Ghana
Usually reserved for birds and monkeys, Kakum National Park’s canopy walk is a beautiful hiking trail high up in the trees in central Ghana. A walkway that’s especially popular with birdwatchers, this canopy walkway opened on Earth Day in 1995 and has been a popular and unique spot in the country ever since. Kakum National Park’s canopy walk spreads across more than 305 metres (1000 feet) of walkway and sits at heights of 40 metres (130 feet) above the ground.
One of the best things about this adventure is the style: a loop of jungle-fanned walkway means it’s possible to finish right back where you started and do the entire walk all over again. Feeling thirsty? You’ll find plenty of sellers offering cool coconuts and honey throughout the canopy walk to rehydrate you as you stroll. The elevation gain and variety of bridges means this hike is doable in 45 minutes if you’re moderately fit – but you can take in more of the nature if you slow down a little.
Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, Guyana
The magnificent harpy eagle is just one of the multiple impressive beasts you might witness up close as you wander through Guyana’s 154 metre (505 feet) Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. An adventure from start to finish, your day trip to this canopy walkway starts with a stunning hour-long drive through the jungle before you reach the beginning.
It’s also one where you’re almost guaranteed to spot nature at its finest, from the elusive jaguars to brightly coloured birds like the Green Aracari, Scarlet Macaw, Guiana Toucanette or Channel-billed Toucan. Red Howler Monkeys also love to hang around at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, promising a lively chorus of music as you make your way through the 30 metre high (98 feet) treetops. Come along at dawn or late afternoon to enjoy everything this walkway has to offer without the blazing sunshine that hits during the middle of the day.
Hainich National Park, Germany
Hainich National Park’s canopy walkway shows some of Germany’s beautiful nature at its finest. The country might be home to 16 national forests but Hainich, in leafy Thuringia, is one of the best. Vibrant greens pave the way during the summer months or take a trip to this walkway during autumn for an endless spectrum of golden and red-hued leaves.
This walk in the sky is an unmissable feature for anyone working their way through central Germany, with its 530-metre-long (1738 feet) wooden pathway and beautiful observation tower that sits at a height of 44 metres (144 feet). As well as spotting a huge range of Germany’s flora and fauna, you might also be able to spot the lesser-seen wildcats here. Keen hikers can extend their stroll through the treetops with an equally as striking meander through the forests at the beginning or end of the canopy walk – the national park is surrounded by 20 different trails adding up to 120km (75 miles) of adventures.
Kirstenbosch Tree Canopy Walkway, South Africa
Walk across South Africa’s Kirstenbosch Tree Canopy Walkway during sunset and you’ll swear you’ve never seen a prettier sight. The canopy’s 130 metre (426 feet) length is shorter than what was originally planned but proves that good things come in (relatively) small packages with stunning views of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain across the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland Mountains in the distance. Inspired by a snake skeleton and informally called ‘The Boomslang’ (meaning tree snake), this walkway slopes and curves its way across the treetops promising a gentle incline on a canopy walkway that only touches the ground twice.
While certainly an incredible spot if you’re in the area, the Kirstenbosch Tree Canopy Walkway is easy to miss if you’re not looking out for it. But the dazzlingly-coloured Cape saffrons, hard pears, white stinkwoods and a grove of tall forest myrtle quince will ensure you’ll always want to save time for this walk.
Ulu Temburong National Park, Borneo
A trip to Borneo is an adventure in itself but a visit to the Ulu Temburong National Park canopy walkway is the jewel in the crown of this stunning region. This canopy walkway starts with a hefty 746 steps, but those who make the climb are more than rewarded with spectacular views around and below of Brunei’s primary forest. The surrounding national park offers breathtaking views as far as the eye can see, as it covers a huge 50,000 hectares of pristine rainforest.
Sunrise and sunset are the best times to stroll across this 950 metre (3116 feet) long walkway, when you can watch the sun move through a rainbow of colours as the minutes tick by. And, because it’s Borneo, there’s a guarantee of spectacular plants and animals throughout every inch of this walkway. Take a unique look at the rainforest’s diverse treetop ecosystem and experience Borneo like never before.
Frequently asked questions about the world’s best canopy walkways
The longest canopy walk in the world is the Bavarian Forest National Park in Germany, which stretches a huge 1300 metres (4265 feet) from start to finish.
The highest canopy walk in the world is the Otway Fly in Victoria, Australia, which has a maximum height of 47 metres (154 feet).
A canopy bridge offers a pedestrianised unique perspective, often through jungles, rainforests and countryside landscapes. It’s usually supported by various structures and is linked up with platforms on or around trees.
A canopy provides a covering of sorts above trees in the jungle. A canopy walkway is an often-beautiful path high up above the ground providing a brilliant backdrop with a bird’s eye view of the ground.
