‘tree top walk’ by bavarian forest national park, neuschonau, germanyall images courtesy of bavarian forest national park
a curious hybrid of a miniature gherkin tower and the reichstag dome in berlin, the 44-meter tall ‘tree top walk’ in the lush bavarian forest national parkin neuschonau, germany is the world’s tallest tree to observation structure. starting from a 500-meter long wooden ramp out in the forest, visitors will meander their way through the natural habitat eventually finding themselves at the base of a winding walkway supported by a series of vertical glulamcolumns that create a sort of open-air dome over three giant 38-meter tall fir trees. the path, accessible from beginning to end with no more than a 6% slope offers a complete view of the ecosystems surrounding a tree, from the different plants, mosses and creatures at the base to life in the canopy, simultaneously providing 360-degree views of the trees themselves and over hundred’s of kilometers of protected forest landscape – with glimpses of the alps on clear days. the radially-located timber pillars contain slender protruding wide flange beam that helps support the walkway. cross tension cablesprovide lateral support with the help of rigid round metal tube crossbeams on the lower bays.
walk-through of the project
timber tower in the forest
winds around three enormous 38-meter tall fir trees
winding walkway is accessible at all times, from the entrance to the top of the structure
the walkway creates a vertical solidity over the trees but allows light to seep in laterally
tension cables support lateral forces of the open-air construct
walkway at the top with transparent mesh floor
bird’s eye view
the tree top walkway within the context of the lush bavarian forest
uses natural wooden columns to support the elevated path
entrance kiosk
