Around the globe, skywalks and glass bridges are giving travellers a chance to confront their fear of heights while soaking in jaw-dropping vistas. Suspended over gorges, mountains, and cityscapes, these architectural marvels combine adrenaline with awe.
Whether you’re brave enough to look straight down or prefer to inch along while clutching the railing, these are the skywalks and glass bridges that deserve a spot on your travel radar, starting right here in Africa.
Drakensberg Skywalk – KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Simon Hurry/Unsplash
While the Drakensberg doesn’t yet have a glass-bottom skywalk, it offers thrilling ways to explore its soaring landscapes — from ziplines to high-altitude hikes.
Drakensberg Canopy Tour:
Near Cathkin Peak, this zipline adventure lets you glide between platforms perched up to 60 metres high in the treetops and on cliff faces. Set in the Blue Grotto Forest, it’s a bird’s-eye view of the Drakensberg like no other.
Wartrail Slackpacking Skywalk:
This multi-day hiking route near Barkly East crosses farmland, sandstone valleys, and basalt peaks, reaching altitudes of up to 2,700 metres. Along the way, hikers spot bearded vultures, explore rock art sites, and take in panoramic views of the Southern Drakensberg.
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge – Hunan, China
Quang Nguyen Vinh/Pexels
Arguably the most iconic glass bridge in the world, this skywalk stretches 430 metres across Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and hovers 300 metres above the valley floor. Each step reveals a heart-stopping view beneath your feet, thanks to transparent glass panels.
Set in a landscape of vertical rock pillars that inspired the floating “Hallelujah Mountains” in Avatar, the bridge draws adventurers and Instagrammers alike. There’s even a bungee jump if simply walking across isn’t enough.
Dachstein Skywalk – Austria
Vorwerk/Wikimedia Commons
Nicknamed the “Balcony of the Alps,” this cliff-side glass platform juts out from the Dachstein Glacier, offering views of the Austrian Alps — and a 250-metre vertical drop. On clear days, you can see across Slovenia and the Czech Republic. In winter, the skywalk floats above a sea of cloud, adding a surreal softness to the stark thrill of standing on what feels like nothing at all.
Grand Canyon Skywalk – Arizona, USA
Justin Wang/Unsplash
A horseshoe-shaped glass bridge stretching 21 metres from the canyon’s edge, this skywalk offers views down into the red-rock chasm nearly 1.2 kilometres below. Located at the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, it’s a feat of engineering and perspective. For some, the sight of the Colorado River snaking beneath their feet is too much — but for others, it’s the only way to experience the canyon’s scale.
Langkawi Sky Bridge – Malaysia
Simon Wiedensohler/Unsplash
Suspended from a single pylon atop Mount Mat Cincang, this curved bridge twists through the misty peaks of Langkawi Island. While not entirely glass, it does feature transparent sections that let you peer straight down into the dense jungle. The panoramic views over the Andaman Sea are unmatched, especially if you catch a sunset on your way back down via cable car.
ALSO READ: Destinations for people who always travel off-season
Glacier Skywalk – Alberta, Canada
Andy Holmes/Unsplash
Set in Jasper National Park, this glass-floored walkway arcs out over the Sunwapta Valley. At 280 metres high, the views include glaciers, waterfalls, and dense forest, all framed by the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Wildlife sightings are common—think bighorn sheep grazing casually beneath you as you freeze in place above them.
Tianmen Mountain Skywalk – China
Picture/Zhangjiajie Guide
Less publicised than its Zhangjiajie cousin, this glass path clings to the vertical face of Tianmen Mountain. Dubbed the “Walk of Faith,” it’s only 60 metres long — but it’s enough to send a shiver down most spines, especially when clouds obscure the bottom. It’s part of a greater trail system that includes cliff-hugging stairs and the famous 999-step Heaven’s Gate.
Shibuya Sky – Tokyo, Japan
Kazuo Ota/Unsplash
Not all skywalks involve nature. Tokyo’s Shibuya Sky offers a slick, urban version of walking on air. Located atop the 229-metre Shibuya Scramble Square, this open-air rooftop deck has glass walls and unbeatable views over one of the busiest intersections on Earth. At night, the city lights below feel like stars in reverse — a surreal shift in perspective.
Sky-high spots in Africa
Oribi Gorge/Chris Eason/Wikimedia Commons
While Africa has fewer glass-bottom skywalks, some places offer the same dizzy sense of elevation:
- Oribi Gorge Suspension Bridge (KwaZulu-Natal) – A swaying rope bridge over one of South Africa’s most dramatic gorges.
- God’s Window (Mpumalanga) – With new viewing platforms and panoramic viewpoints, this spot lives up to its name — especially after rain clears the lowveld mist.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ: Lost cities and forgotten kingdoms you can still visit
