Skywalk Sattel, Pedestrian suspension bridge in Sattel, Switzerland
The Raiffeisen Skywalk is a 374-metre pedestrian suspension bridge on the Mostelberg above Sattel in the Swiss canton of Schwyz. It hangs from four 5 cm thick cables, each with a load capacity of 250 tonnes, and spans the roughly 50-metre-deep Lauitobel from the Mostelberg to the opposite Mäderenwald. The deck is 180 cm wide at both ends and narrows to 90 cm in the middle.
The Sattel-Hochstuckli AG planned the bridge to raise use of its recreation area, and sponsors including the Raiffeisen banking group helped fund the 1.5 million Swiss francs cost. In April 2010 tightrope artist Freddy Nock balanced on the first cable over the Lauitobel; the nine-metre supports followed in May and the bridge elements were lifted into place by crane in June. It opened on 10 July 2010 with a 374-metre span, then considered Europe's longest pedestrian bridge.
The bridge takes its name from the Raiffeisen banking group, which helped fund the 1.5 million Swiss franc construction. In April 2010, before the deck was installed, tightrope artist Freddy Nock balanced on the first cable above the Lauitobel. The crossing is open only during the operating hours of the Sattel-Mostelberg cable car.
The bridge is open all year during the operating hours of the Sattel-Mostelberg cable car. It is 180 cm wide at both ends and narrows to 90 cm in the middle. Wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles may cross in one direction only. From the Mäderenwald, a well-built hiking trail leads to Herrenboden and back to the Mostelberg.
The metal walkway uses a grid structure instead of solid flooring, letting people look straight down to the gorge as they cross. This design creates an unexpected visual experience that many first-time visitors find striking.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,743 contributors worldwide.