The Redwood Sky Walk in Humboldt County is under a quarter-mile long — and it goes through some of the tallest trees on the planet.
Northern California is virtually synonymous with redwood forest groves; they’re the same swaths of trees under dire threat from the climate crisis (though, nevertheless, are resilient). And remember: There’s a somewhat new skywalk — think elevated hiking passage — at Sequoia Park Zoo that takes people on a short trek through the canopies of these famed trees… some 100 feet above the forest floor.
Have you met the #RedwoodSkyWalk Stewards? This amazing team of volunteers has spent hundreds of hours engaging with guests and educating visitors each week on the Redwood Sky Walk. Thank you to the dedicated team! #Humboldt #Volunteers pic.twitter.com/oV8xCpdwtE
— SequoiaParkZoo (@SequoiaParkZoo) August 21, 2022
Opened earlier in 2021, the Redwood Sky Walk has continued to delight guests with aerial perches of the namesake trees, previously unavailable to them. Take for example part of the trail called the Ascent Ramp. One of its legs is nearly identical to the height of the tallest known living coastal redwood at 383 feet. (The experiment through the said passageway is dubbed a virtual “redwood climb.”)
Also, because there are no stairs on the Redwood Sky Walk, the now-iconic passage is mostly ADA accessible, sans parts of the Adventure Bridges, which is a 369-foot segment off Spruce Supr.
Speaking of the Adventure Bridges, the 36-inch wide walkways have square open mesh decking and, though it is safe, walkers will feel more exposed to the natural surroundings and more aware of their height; the passageway will even sway under light winds.
Both the Ascent Ramp and Launch Deck — the ADA-accessible start point of the skywalk — are wood structures, with concrete foundations, the walkways themselves laid with non-slip surfaces; handrails are found on the structure and metal panels are slotted between posts to ensure safety. Because of the Redwood Sky Walk’s structural integrity, no helmets or harnesses are needed to traverse the short hike.
That said: You may need to take a few deep breaths while some eight stories are above the ground. But with the viewsheds in front of those who choose to brave this aerial passage, taking those long inhales is totally worth it.
For more information on the Sequoia Redwood Sky Walk, which is accessible only through the Sequoia Park Zoo, visit redwoodskywalk.com.
