Monteverde Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges (Selvatura Park): Everything You Need To Know
Nikki Solano
Last updated on July 8th, 2024 at 03:15 pm
Written by Nikki Solano
Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️
Want to know our pick for the BEST HANGING BRIDGE in Costa Rica? It is featured on DIY Costa Rica!
Ricky and Nikki; exploring the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Parkview of the cloud forest canopy from the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura ParkRicky; crossing a hanging bridge at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura ParkNikki; hiking the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Parkentrance to the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Park
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We know Monteverde’s hanging bridges well because we’ve been exploring them for years
If you’ve read our blog post, Must-Know Info About Monteverde Costa Rica From Seasoned Visitors, you already know that Monteverde is our second-favorite place in the country. We know the destination extremely well; we’ve exploredCosta Rica, including its hanging bridges in Monteverde, since the mid-2000s and we’ve enjoyed watching it grow and tracking its changes ever since. ❤️ If you have a particular interest in learning about the Selvatura Park‘s Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges, (not to be confused with the Treetopia Park‘s Sky Walk Hanging Bridges, which are also in Monteverde) you’re in the best place. You’ll find a comprehensive summary—compiled over years of visits to Monteverde—of the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges below.
The Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges experience
bridge #1 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #1 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #2 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #2 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #3 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #3 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #4 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #4 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #5 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #5 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #6 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #6 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #7 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #7 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #8 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesbridge #8 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesstationary bridge #1 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridgesstationary bridge #2 at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges
Unlike Selvatura‘s canopy zip-lining tour, which allows visitors to see Monteverde’s cloud forest from above, the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges permit cloud forest exploration from within. On a walking tour of these hanging bridges, you’ll cut through dense cloud forest, trek past decades-old flora, possibly see some of the area’s resident fauna (we’ve always had great luck seeing monkeys and coatis at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges), and cross a total of eight suspension bridges varying in length in height.
The Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges’ lengths and heights:
Bridge #1: 65 meters long / 17 meters high Bridge #2: 82 meters long / 19 meters high Bridge #3: 115 meters long / 34 meters high Bridge #4: 157 meters long / 31 meters high Bridge #5: 120 meters long / 28 meters high Bridge #6: 57 meters long / 18 meters high Bridge #7: 90 meters long / 25 meters high Bridge #8: 90 meters long / 20 meters high Total distance traveled over the Treetop Walkways’ hanging/suspension bridges: 776 meters Highest height reached while traveling over the Treetop Walkways’ hanging bridges/suspension bridges : 34 meters
More specifically, if you visit the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges, you’ll traverse roughly three kilometers of secondary forest that showcases much of the biodiversity that Costa Rica (and the Monteverde region in particular) is known for. Though the natural landscape is a lovely image from all angles, the region’s scenery is most impressive when viewed from the middle of the park’s hanging bridges, each one suspended high above the forest floor. From that vantage point, you can appreciate the vast, varied cloud forest and spy on its intricate, precious way of life.
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges trail
entrance to the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Parkflat trail at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura ParkNikki; hiking the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Parktrail at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura ParkRicky; climbing stairs at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Parkflora seen at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Park
You’ll find only one trail at the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges regardless of whether you explore the hanging bridges with or without a tour guide. The trail’s circuit, which begins and ends just beyond Selvatura Park’s parking lot, isn’t difficult to hike, but uphill and downhill sections interspersed among flat stretches up the walk from “easy” to “easy-to-moderate”.
Ascending and descending steps
If you don’t enjoy walking up and down steps, or if mobility impairments make those tasks uncomfortable or difficult for you, it would be best to avoid visiting the Selvatura Park‘s Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges. Here’s a look at the uphill and downhill steps you’ll encounter along this particular hanging bridges trail, which are in addition to the steps you’ll take across flat sections of the trail:
From the trailhead to bridge #1
10 steps uphill
From bridge #1 to bridge #2
20 steps uphill and downhill
From bridge #2 to bridge #3
10 steps uphill and downhill, then 13 steps up to the bridge
From bridge #3 to bridge #4
no steps uphill or downhill
From bridge #4 to bridge #5
3 steps down from the bridge
From bridge #5 to bridge #6
uphill and downhill sections but no steps
From bridge #6 to bridge #7
6 steps down from the bridge, uphill and downhill sections, then 47 steps down
From bridge #7 to bridge #8
uphill and downhill sections with 49 steps uphill and 54 steps downhill
From bridge #8 to the end of the trail (you’ll cross two small, non-suspension bridges during this part of the trail)
uphill and downhill sections with 6 steps up and 8 steps down, then 22 steps uphill to the end/parking lot
Fortunately, the steps encountered along the hanging bridges trail aren’t tall, so climbing and descending them doesn’t require much exertion on the part of the average traveler. Do watch out for the trail’s mixed pathways, however. Parts of the trail are comprised of flat and sometimes leaf-stricken concrete, which can be slippery when wet, and other parts are comprised of uneven, sometimes broken bricks, which can be a tripping hazard.
Hanging bridge sway and how to minimize bridge movement
A common question we receive about the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges is whether the bridges sway when people cross them. The quick answer to this questions is: “Yes, the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges move when you walk across them.” The more elaborate answer to the question is: “Yes, the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges move slightly when you walk across them, but they don’t sway greatly from side to side as you may envision a rope bridge doing. What you’re most likely to feel when you walk across a hanging bridge is a teetering beneath your feet as the bridge’s metal floor panels adjust to your footsteps.”
To best minimize movement as you cross a hanging bridge, walk in the middle of the bridge to avoid shifting your weight to either side. Hold onto both sides of the bridge with your hands for support (again, to avoid shifting your weight to one side if you happen to lose your balance when you walk), and walk slowly. The faster you walk, the more the metal floor panels will teeter from side to side. If possible, don’t cross a hanging bridge when other people are on it. Sometimes the steps of another hiker at the opposite end of the bridge can cause the entire bridge to move.
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges tour guide requirement
The Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges Tour that is operated by the Selvatura Park is a guided tour. (Selvatura calls the guided experience the “Natural History Walk“.) This being said, it is not a requirement to explore the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges with a tour guide.
Instead of paying the Selvatura Park the cost of their guided hanging bridges tour, you may pay them their hanging bridges entrance fee, which permits access to the hanging bridge trails for unguided use. Regardless of whether you experience the guided Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges Tour (i.e., Selvatura‘s Natural History Walk) or explore the hanging bridges on your own, an advance reservation for the hanging bridges at Selvatura‘s markedly busy park is strongly recommended.
Tours of the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges
At the Selvatura Park, you can explore the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges as part of a standalone tour (either a guided tour or an unguided/self-guided tour) or as part of a combo tour. Combo tour options couple the hanging bridge experience with one or more of Selvatura‘s other on-site attractions, including a canopy zip-lining tour, a sloth sanctuary, a butterfly garden, and a reptile and amphibian exhibit.
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges tour duration and tour times
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges Unguided/Self-Guided Tour duration
At least 1-1.5 hours (or longer, depending on the speed you hike and how many stops you make along the way)
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges Guided Tour (Natural History Walk) duration
Approximately 2-2.5 hours
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges Unguided/Self-Guided Tour times
8:30am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges Guided Tour (Natural History Walk) times
8:30am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm
How much it costs to tour the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges unguided/self-guided tour costs
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges entrance fee (unguided/self-guided tour) per adult
The cost of touring the hanging bridges at the Selvatura Park without a tour guide (i.e., the cost of the entrance fee to the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges) is more expensive than the cost of touring hanging bridges at other parks. So, if saving money is a priority for you, the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges likely aren’t the best hanging bridges for you to visit. (In that case, check out the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges just down the road from Selvatura at the Treetopia Park, formerly known as the Monteverde Sky Adventures Park, instead.)
Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges age and weight limits
There is currently no minimum age limit or maximum weight limit imposed on individuals who want to explore the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges.
Young travelers and travelers with disabilities
The Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges are family-friendly. If you plan to travel with kids, it helps to know that children (ages 0-3 years) are welcome to explore the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges in Monteverde for free with a paying adult.
Unfortunately, the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Parkare not wheelchair accessible.
Pura vida!
Do you have questions about the Selvatura Park’s Treetop Walkways hanging bridges, or want to how to best incorporate a visit to these hanging bridges into your vacation? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂
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Summary
Article Name
Monteverde Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges (Selvatura Park): Everything You Need To Know
Description
We've explored the Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges at the Selvatura Park for years. Here's everything you need to know to plan your visit!
