Germany: “Green Light” for Construction of Skywalk Willingen

After some three years in approval phase, building permission has now been granted for the “Willingen Skywalk”, which visitors to the tourist town in Germany’s Rothaar Mountains will be able to walk on from autumn 2022. The new attraction in the immediate vicinity of the Mühlenkopfschanze (a popular ski jumping hill) will be realized by the company of Swissrope and, with a length of 665 meters, will become the “world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge”, according to official information. Around four million euros will be invested in the construction of the Tibet-style bridge, which will swing freely at a height of around 100 meters above Willingen’s Stryck district. In the future, the 1.30-meter-wide suspension bridge can be walked on by 700 people at a time.

“Of the approximately 350,000 overnight guests per year, one in three will explore the Skywalk Willingen,” estimates Arndt Brüne of Skywalk Willingen GmbH & Co. KG. “The entire Willingen tourism industry benefits from the Skywalk. The Skywalk Willingen will attract new visitors and add a new, high-quality attraction to our summer and winter offerings,” comments tourism director Norbert Lopatta. Information about the local flora and fauna, as well as the history of the Mühlenkopf ski jumping hill will also be provided at the entrances to the bridge. Digital access systems are planned to be used to optimize visitor flow. (eap)