Treetop Walk

The First Treetop Walk in Bavarian Forest National Park

The first and, at the time, also the longest Treetop Walk in the world was opened in September 2009 with a length of 1,300 metres. The access route to the largest park of its kind in the world is located at the car park next to the animal enclosure. The entrance tower is equipped with a lift, providing comfortable and barrier-free access for seniors, wheelchair users and parents with strollers.

Along the Treetop Walk, which is mainly made of a wooden structure carefully integrated into the mixed forest, every visitor is enriched by an authentic nature experience. This extraordinary experience is enhanced by educational, orientation and sensory elements located along the entire trail. Here you will discover the unforgettable local landscape and its various forms of life from a new perspective.

The 1,300 m long trail ends with a 44 m high observation tower, offering a fantastic and almost unrestricted view: towards the summit of Lusen and the uninhabited area of forest wilderness in one direction, and towards the carefully maintained cultural landscape of the Bavarian Forest with the Alps on the horizon in the other.

The Treetop Walk ends at the Hans Eisenmann House, where the information centre is located.

In the immediate vicinity of the Treetop Walk there is an animal enclosure area. In the diverse forest landscape on the edge of the National Park, 16 large enclosures and aviaries have been created and connected to form an animal enclosure area in the centre of the Lusen National Park. Currently, 36 different native species of birds and mammals live here.

Web: baumwipfelpfade.de/cz/bayerischer-wald
E-mail: info@baumwipfelpfad.bayern

Treetop Walk on the Island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea

Since 15 June 2013, a new nature experience centre has been open to visitors on the island of Rügen. The third Treetop Walk, featuring an interactive exhibition and gastronomy, is a new attraction on the island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea. The total length of the trail is 1,250 m and the height of the Eagle’s Nest is 40 m.

Visitors of all ages can enjoy completely new and unusual impressions and experiences here: climbing to the tops of old beech trees along the barrier-free Treetop Walk, taking a guided tour to the most famous fields, or visiting two very interesting exhibitions.

The highlight of the Treetop Walk is the 40 m high tower, shaped like an eagle’s nest. From a height of 82 metres above sea level, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the unique landscape of the island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea. With a little luck, visitors may even watch a white-tailed eagle soaring through the landscape. After an exciting trip, the “Boomhus” restaurant invites you to relax and enjoy typical regional dishes and excellent seasonal cuisine.

Web: baumwipfelpfade.de/en/nezr
E-mail: info@nezr.de

Black Forest Treetop Walk (Schwarzwald)

The Black Forest Treetop Walk (Schwarzwald) allows you to experience nature from a completely new perspective. Among the beeches, firs and spruces of the impressive mixed mountain forest, the 1,250-metre-long trail winds its way up Sommerberg mountain in Bad Wildbad, reaching a height of up to 20 metres. The highest point of this Treetop Walk, opened in September 2014, is an almost 40 m high tower with an observation platform, from which you can enjoy a unique view of the entire Black Forest mountain range. Thanks to its barrier-free design, the trail is suitable for all age groups, as well as for wheelchair users and families with strollers.

The natural materials of the trail encourage visitors to feel and perceive the surrounding nature in a new way. Discover birds, small animals, insects and countless plants that can be observed from a completely different perspective at various heights along the Treetop Walk. The harmonious route of the trail and its steady, gentle ascent create the feeling of floating high above the ground.

Along the entire length of the trail, small balconies with educational stations are placed at regular intervals, informing visitors about the local nature and wildlife and gently conveying scientific knowledge about the Black Forest mountain range. Small side routes provide entertainment along the trail, where visitors can safely try balancing or climbing at height.

Since April 2015, another attraction has been available to visitors of the trail: a 55 m long tunnel slide running through the inside of the observation tower, promising an extraordinary experience.

Whether surrounded by fresh greenery in spring, the picturesque colours of the forest in autumn, or a silver layer of snow cover, a walk along the Treetop Walk is a wonderful nature experience in every season.

The Black Forest Treetop Walk can be reached comfortably by the Sommerberg mountain railway from Bad Wildbad. A convenient combined ticket is available, including a return trip and admission to the Treetop Walk.

Web: baumwipfelpfade.de/en/schwarzwald
E-mail: info@baumwipfelpfad-schwarzwald.de

Saarschleife Treetop Walk

Since June 2016, the Treetop Walk has opened up new perspectives at one of the most famous excursion destinations in Saarland – the Saarschleife. Above the viewpoint known as Cloef, the 1,250 m long trail made of natural Douglas fir and red spruce wood leads through the beech, oak and Douglas fir trees of the local mixed forest. At a height of 3 to 23 m, visitors have the opportunity to get closer to forest life in a way they have never experienced before.

Along the trail there are child-friendly educational stations where not only young explorers can learn a great deal about the forest and its inhabitants. Interactive stops with various balancing elements and a slide also provide entertainment during the walk. The highlight of a visit to the Saarschleife Treetop Walk is the architecturally unique 42 m high observation tower. Once you reach the viewing platform via the semicircular ramps, a unique panoramic view opens up over the Saarschleife area and the surrounding nature of the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park.

Another special feature of this sophisticated structure is that both the trail and the observation tower were built without stairs. Thanks to this, visitors in wheelchairs, with walking aids or with strollers can move around comfortably.

A special highlight for visitors are specially organised events during which they can visit the trail outside regular opening hours and see the sun rise over the Saarschleife area with their own eyes.

Web: baumwipfelpfade.de/en/saarschleife
E-mail: info@baumwipfelpfad-saarschleife.de

Krkonoše Treetop Walk

The Czech Krkonoše Treetop Walk, which was officially opened on 2 July 2017, is located in the heart of the forests of Krkonoše National Park. The route, with a total length of more than 1,500 m, leads visitors through a species-rich forest, where various surprises and lessons await them in the form of educational and adrenaline stops.

An integral part of the trail is a 45 m high observation tower with a dry slide in the middle, offering both children and adults an unforgettable adrenaline ride of more than 80 m. Directly beneath the tower, underground, there is a unique educational centre with a wealth of interesting information and knowledge about the root system of Krkonoše trees.

Web: stezkakrkonose.cz
E-mail: info@stezkakrkonose.cz

Austria’s First Treetop Walk Salzkammergut

In August 2018, the first Treetop Walk by Erlebnis Akademie AG in Austria opened its gates. On the way to the Upper Austrian town of Gmunden, you can spot the observation tower of the Salzkammergut Treetop Walk from afar, located high on the summit of Grünberg. The Grünberg cable car provides easy access to the barrier-free, 1,400 m long trail and offers a unique view of the entire town of Gmunden. Thanks to fantastic views of the surrounding mountain landscape and Lake Traunsee, a walk among the treetops is an unforgettable experience. Educational stations are installed along the trail for explorers of all ages, providing exciting information about interesting facts on nature and the environment. At the adventure stations, visitors can overcome various obstacles and balancing elements — all at a breathtaking height. The highlight of the trail is the 39 m high observation tower, from which you can enjoy a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Alpine mountain range and the Salzkammergut region.

An exceptional experience for young and old is promised by the 55 m long slide located inside the observation tower, accessible from a platform at a height of 28 m.

The Salzkammergut Treetop Walk is completely barrier-free, inviting all target groups to visit, from families with children and strollers to groups of seniors. The trail is also suitable for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.

The Traunsee tourist region in the heart of the Salzkammergut attracts visitors with countless leisure activities and hiking trails. Discover places and bays on a boat trip across Lake Traunsee or stroll through the beautiful old town of Gmunden. Many other offers are available for a varied and individual excursion programme, such as Schloss Orth or the local ceramics manufactory. In the immediate vicinity of the Treetop Walk, the Grünbergalm restaurant offers high-quality home-style cuisine.

Web: baumwipfelpfade.at/en/salzkammergut
E-mail: info@baumwipfelpfad-salzkammergut.at

Pohorje Treetop Walk

In September 2019, the first Slovenian Treetop Walk was officially opened, located in the heart of the majestic forests of the Pohorje mountain range, at the top of the mountain called Rogla.

The 1,043 m long trail leads you through a diverse forest and shows you what makes the local nature so unique. Educational and informative boards, which you can study undisturbed at several stops, will enrich you and expand your knowledge of nature, its protection and how the forest functions. Not only for our youngest visitors, but also for those who have stayed young and have not lost their adventurous spirit, several adventure stations are located along the trail at a height of up to 24 m above the ground.

The highlight of the entire structure is the 37 m high observation tower, which, thanks to its unique location at an altitude of more than 1,500 m, offers breathtaking views literally from a bird’s-eye perspective.

Since June 2020, visitors have also been able to enjoy a 62-metre-long dry slide, which shortens the way down from the tower.

Web: potmedkrosnjamipohorje.si/en
E-mail: info@potpohorje.si

France’s First Treetop Walk Alsace

France’s first Treetop Walk Alsace, opened in 2021, is located in the Northern Vosges Nature Park near the village of Drachenbronn in north-eastern France. The total length of the trail is approximately 1,050 metres, while the route to the observation tower itself measures 625 metres. It leads through the forest and sandstone rock formations at a height of 5 to 23 metres above the ground and, thanks to a maximum gradient of 6%, is designed to be comfortably accessible for seniors, wheelchair users and families with strollers. Rest areas without any incline also allow for pleasant breaks throughout the walk.

Along the trail, which is sensitively integrated into the forest environment of the Northern Vosges, visitors discover local nature from a new perspective. Educational stations, information boards and adventure elements for balancing and climbing can be found along the route, playfully presenting local tree species, animals and the functioning of the forest ecosystem. The surrounding landscape is exceptional not only for its natural richness, but also for the historical heritage of the Alsace region, where forests, peat bogs, castle ruins and traces of military history come together.

The highlight of the entire walk is the observation tower with barrier-free access, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the Northern Vosges Nature Park, the Rhine Plain and, in good visibility, even the Black Forest. For more adventurous visitors, the 75-metre tunnel slide is also an experience, allowing them to descend from the tower back down.

The Alsace Treetop Walk leads to the Chez Emile restaurant, where visitors can relax after their walk and enjoy local French and Alsatian cuisine. A free shuttle train runs from the car park to the entrance of the trail and forms part of the overall experience of the visit.

In the immediate vicinity of the car park there is also Adventure Forest Alsace — a large forest area covering 14,000 m², where families with children can enjoy a huge trampoline, zip lines, climbing elements and other playful attractions. A visit to the Treetop Walk can therefore easily be combined with additional activities and turned into a full-day trip for the whole family.

Web: treetop-walks.com/alsace/en
E-mail: info@baumwipfelpfad-elsass.de

Treetop Walk on the Island of Usedom in the Baltic Sea

The Usedom Treetop Walk was opened in 2021 in the seaside resort of Heringsdorf on Germany’s second-largest island — Usedom. Its total length is 1,350 metres, while the trail itself, leading through the forest, measures 785 metres and continues smoothly onto the ramped ascent in the observation tower. From the very entrance, the area is designed with the comfort of all visitors in mind — the access tower is equipped with a lift and the entire trail is designed to be barrier-free, so seniors, wheelchair users and parents with strollers can enjoy it comfortably.

Along the trail, which leads among the crowns of beech and pine trees typical of the island of Usedom, visitors discover the local nature from a completely new perspective. The wooden structure is sensitively integrated into the forest environment and is complemented during the walk by several educational and experience stations, presenting the local flora, fauna and the unique character of the island. The route reaches a height of up to 23 metres and, thanks to its gentle incline with a maximum gradient of 6%, offers a comfortable experience even for less physically fit visitors.

The highlight of the entire walk is the 33-metre-high observation tower, which is also the highest point on the island of Usedom. From its top, impressive panoramic views open up over the Baltic Sea, the coastline, Heringsdorf and the inland part of the island. The top of the tower also features a walkable net, which further enhances the experience of being high above the ground and makes the visit attractive for families with children as well.

In the immediate vicinity of the Treetop Walk there is also a children’s playground and the Futterkrippe restaurant with a terrace, where visitors can relax after their walk. The entire visit to the site usually takes approximately 1 to 2 hours and offers an attractive combination of relaxation, movement, education and unique views of one of Germany’s sunniest regions.

Web: treetop-walks.com/usedom
E-mail: info@baumwipfelpfad-usedom.de

Avondale Forest Treetop Walk - The First Treetop Walk in Ireland and the British Isles

The Avondale Forest Treetop Walk was opened in June 2022 as the first of its kind in Ireland and the British Isles. It is located in Avondale Forest Park in County Wicklow and has been designed from the outset to be fully accessible for all generations of visitors. The total length of the route from the beginning of the trail to the top of the observation tower is 1,440 metres, and thanks to a maximum gradient of 6%, it can be comfortably enjoyed by seniors, wheelchair users and parents with strollers. Rest areas and seating are also available along the entire route.

Along the trail, which leads through the heart of the forest in Avondale, visitors discover trees and forest life from a completely new perspective. The wooden structure is sensitively integrated into the natural environment and, during the walk, visitors are accompanied by the scent of eucalyptus, birdsong and views of the surrounding landscape. The route leads through the treetops to the observation tower and offers authentic contact with nature, local biodiversity and the unique atmosphere of one of the most beautiful forest parks in Ireland.

The trail ends with a 38-metre-high observation tower, offering 360-degree panoramic views of Avondale Forest Park, the Vale of Avoca, the Avonmore River and the Wicklow Mountains. After ten gentle loops, visitors reach the top platform, from where they can admire the crowns of some of Ireland’s most majestic trees and, with a little luck, spot birds of prey — red kites.

For more adventurous visitors, the experience is made even more intense by a huge spiral slide located inside the tower. The slide is 90 metres long and is an optional attraction, allowing visitors to return from the top to the ground quickly and playfully. Those who prefer a calmer descent can return via the barrier-free ramp route.

The Avondale Treetop Walk is part of the wider Beyond the Trees Avondale visitor area. Nearby you will find a visitor centre, Seed Café, the Walled Garden, a sensory garden and the historic Avondale House, which is connected with the history of Irish forestry as well as important figures of the country. A visit to the trail can therefore easily be combined with relaxation, discovery and other activities within the forest park area.

Web: beyondthetreesavondale.com
E-mail: enquiry@beyondthetreesavondale.com

Laurentides Treetop Walk - The First Treetop Walk in Canada and North America

The Laurentides Treetop Walk is located in the Mont-Blanc area of Québec, Canada, on the site of a historic former fish farm. It offers visitors a unique nature experience in the heart of the Laurentian forests and has been designed from the outset to be comfortably accessible to the general public. Both the trail and the panoramic tower are barrier-free, suitable for wheelchair users as well as parents with strollers, with a maximum gradient of 6% and sections without any incline along the route, intended for resting.

Along the trail, which is sensitively integrated into the forest environment of the Laurentides, every visitor discovers nature from a new perspective. The walk leads above the treetops and is enriched with playful and exploratory elements that make the visit enjoyable for families with children as well as adults. The site includes, for example, the “bird manor”, an original installation for birdwatching, as well as a fun treasure hunt and family games on the terrace. The area around the trail is also complemented by landscaped gardens, creating a peaceful space for relaxation and for experiencing local nature with all the senses.

The highlight of the entire visit is the panoramic tower, one of the main landmarks of the site. For the bravest visitors, a huge net is stretched across its centre at a height of 40 metres, enhancing the experience of being above the forest and offering an unusual view into the space of the tower and the surrounding landscape. The attraction also includes a 53-metre slide, offering a playful and adrenaline-filled descent back down.

The Laurentides Treetop Walk is part of a wider visitor area, created on the historic site of a former fish farm from the 1930s. Today, this restored area is valuable not only for its natural setting, but also for its cultural and historical significance. Visitors will find the Chez Émile restaurant with a terrace, hiking and snowshoeing trails, as well as a direct connection to the P’tit Train du Nord recreational cycle route, making it possible to combine a visit to the trail with other activities in the region.

In the immediate vicinity of the Treetop Walk, there are also additional areas intended for relaxation and family time. In addition to gardens and games for children, visitors will also discover a boutique with local products from Québec and Canada, as well as seasonal events that make a visit to this place a full-day trip combining nature, discovery, fun and relaxation.

Web: treetop-walks.com/laurentides/en-ca
E-mail: info@sentierdescimes.ca