Canada #27 CN Tower, Toronto
If the thought of walking around the outside of a concrete tower 356 metres above the ground leaves you feeling uneasy, it might be best to look away now. But if you’re comfortable seeing others do it please read on.
At a height of 553.33 metres, CN Tower dominates the skyline of downtown Toronto. With a 102 metre broadcasting antenna atop the concrete tower, the structure is visible from anywhere in the city.
Up closer, look again and you may see intrepid tourists braving the EdgeWalk, the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk. Balanced on a ledge just 1.5 metres wide and attached by safety harnesses, EdgeWalkers go right around the main pod, testing their daring along the way by leaning out over the edge.
I’ve said in the past I’m not bothered by heights, with the proviso that I know I am safe. Even though I had no reservations about the safety of EdgeWalk, I knew this was literally a step too far for me. So while Glen and our daughter took up the challenge, I rode up in the elevator to the SkyPod. From a further 91 metres above, I watched their father-daughter adventure unfold.
After half an hour outside, they re-entered the pod and I could see them no more. It was my turn go wandering.
As I waited for them on the Lookout Level I enjoyed spectacular 360° views of the city.
I gazed out over the Toronto Islands to the vast expanse of Lake Ontario.
I stood on the glass floor and looked down to the pavement 342 metres below.
I ventured onto the Outdoor Sky Terrace, where a chilly breeze blowing through the safety netting was proof that I did actually go outside the tower.
So if like me you draw the line at walking around the outside, make sure you still go to the top of CN Tower. The views are amazing and you can always look down on those who do go walking.
Join Jo for Monday Walks and Becky for March Squares
You are an amazingly adventurous lot! When I was younger I would have been all over hanging off a mile high tower – but no more. I even wonder if I can do the looking down thing from the glass walkway these days – vertigo might drop me to my knees! 😀 Fabulous views though, so maybe worth the effort.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Some of us are more adventurous than others! 🙂 The glass floor was great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The idea of standing on a glass floor freaks me out more than what your husband and daughter did!
LikeLike
Great views from tower. Edge walk would be incredible. Thanks for more great information.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s well worth going up but try to pick a time when it’s not so busy. And buy your tickets ahead of time online.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Another addition to my list. 😄
LikeLike
Oh I’m with you. I don’t fear heights but that edge walk just takes it to the next level!. Wonderful views though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was more than I was prepared to do. But they had a great time. The views were amazing, especially of Lake Ontario. It’s a huge body of water.
LikeLike
I think you’re right, Carol- a step too far! I like heights for the views but I’m not a derring-do person. I’d have been content to look. 🙂 🙂 I think I’d have had my heart in my mouth watching. Did you wish at any point that you were with them? And anyway- someone had to take the photos 🙂 Thanks, darlin!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wasn’t worried while watching them but I was glad I wasn’t doing it with them. And yes, we wouldn’t have had photo evidence if we’d all been out there.
LikeLike
They were so brave weren’t they? We went to the top and watched the edge walkers but there was no chance we’d ever venture out there. Great views though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They were so excited but I was happy to watch from inside. The views are wonderful aren’t they.
LikeLike
Our nephew has done this, but we haven’t. I don’t think I could have trusted the equipment far enough to lean out like that! Good to see someone else doing it though.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They both said the hardest part was putting their toes over the edge the first time. Everything after that was easy. I’m not sure I would have been able to do that.
LikeLike
Me neither!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I certainly wouldn’t have!
LikeLiked by 1 person
At this point in my life, I would have ridden the elevator with you and been quite happy. The outside walking is for someone with an entirely different frame of mind than mine. 🙂 Applause that you all made it safely back. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would definitely have had to psyche myself up if I was doing the walk. I was worried I would chicken out and not be able to do it, and the tickets weren’t cheap. Better off with what I did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
fabulous spikes . . . but I am not going to join those guys!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought it was the perfect building for a spiky challenge, and even the act of going outside and dangling off the edge might be a bit prickly for some people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a superb interpretation even if I had to make sure my feet were on the ground when I looked!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also don’t fear heights and think I could do the edge walk, but leaning out over empty space would be a bridge too far for me. 😯 Such magnificent views from up there, Carol.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The views were wonderful. They both said the hardest part was the first time they had to just walk to the edge and put their toes over and after that it was easy. I don’t know…
LikeLiked by 1 person
😯🙃
LikeLike
I’m with you. I’m not frightened of heights but that would just be a step tofar for my comfort zone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whereas inside the view was just as good and I didn’t have to worry about testing my nerve. A much better choice for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t do that EVER! No way! No how! Nah uh!!
But my sister did. A couple of years ago. And it was the thrill of a life time.
I’d say you made the better choice- and snagged some amazing photos! Love the views over Toronto Island.
LikeLiked by 2 people
After I booked their tickets I kept thinking maybe I should have a go, but in the end I was glad I didn’t. I really enjoyed being able to watch them and explore the lookout levels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The better choice 😉.
I’ve been up the CN tower. But couldn’t even walk on the glass floor.
Glad you had fun.
LikeLike
I like glass floors, although I must admit the first time I came across one it took some time to muster the courage to walk on it. These days I don’t mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are stronger than I am. I just don’t trust them. I know it’s irrational…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that view is a heart stopper, well it would be if I had tried it. Good on you for doing it, a braver soul than myself 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Going up inside isn’t hard though. The views were so beautiful from up there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha that’s a hard no from me!! I’m very scared of heights 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
It wasn’t the height that put me off, it was the thought of being outside.
LikeLike
Ha! I took a similar photo of my feet as I looked down to the ground from the Auckland, New Zealand Sky Tower just a few months ago. I guess it’s the thing to do! :o)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love glass floors. You really get some perspective on how far up you are, without having to hang over the edge!
LikeLike
They were brave… I’d be enjoying the wonderful views from the inside I think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was the best way for me, Elaine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Natural beauty at Fonte Filipe | restlessjo
Great photos – as always! I especially like the sculptural one of the CN Tower between the two other buildings and the one below that. And of course the ones of your daring husband and daughter ‘hanging out’! I wish I could call myself an ‘Edgewalker’, but sadly I’m not. A step too far! I imagine the feeling afterwards is similar to the first time one jumps out of a plane! What camera are you using? (if you don’t mind sharing that info)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re probably right. They were so excited afterwards. It must have been exhilarating. I love my camera. It’s a Panasonic Lumix TZ110. It’s very light and compact but it has a fabulous zoom and some great features, like post-focus and burst.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s interesting. I have the Lumix LX100 (came out a couple of years before yours). I’m envious of your zoom! And I think yours is a bit lighter (more envy!). I still need to learn some of the features!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s just crazy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They had a fabulous time Cathy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a view!!! That looked like such a great experience!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The view was wonderful. They had a great time but I was just as happy to have been inside and see them do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good for them! I would love to do this. I understand it’s fairly pricey but some adventures in life are worth it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It wasn’t cheap but it’s one of those once in a lifetime things. They said it was worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the views but I don’t think I could have done the edge walk. Yikes! I’d like to think when I was younger I would have done it but now … I don’t think so. What an amazing experience though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think even at a younger age I would have attempted it. My daughter knows no fear though, so she’ll probably always be more adventurous than her mother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Canada’s Best | The Eternal Traveller