Edgewalk at Canada's iconic CN Tower has been awarded the Guinness World Records title for "Highest External Walk on a building" It's done on a ledge 116 stories above the ground!

Toronto, Ontario - Spend 58 seconds soaring up in a glass-walled elevator at Toronto's CN Tower and you find the highest mailbox in the world, an elegant restaurant called 360 that and does a complete revolution every 72 minutes (and it houses the highest wine cellar in the world), and spectacular views from observation decks. On a clear day you may even be able to spot the spray from Niagara Falls. But, if you have the courage, now you are able to go further - right to the edge, on a ledge.

Since August 1, 2011 adventerous visitors have been able to walk on a 5 ft (1.5 m) ledge that encircles the top of the tower 116 stories above the ground.

The Guinness World Record was awarded on the ledge, on a misty Nov. 8, 2011. Carey Low, the Guinness World Records Canadian Representative, presented the certificate to Jack Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of the CN Tower - and then gave leaning out over the edge a go himself. Did you know the Guinness World Records is Canadian owned? It's part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned companies - a conglomerate that includes advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.

Can you imagine hanging out - with nothing beneath you! So far 9,000 have been gutsy enough to give it a go, walking 'hands-free' in groups of six to eight while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system. The whole experience takes about 90 minutes, with 20 to 30 of those minutes spent on the ledge. Participants have ranged in age from 13 to 90, and it's even been used as a venue for a marriage proposal. Edgewalk operates seasonally May through October, weather dependent. You can view particpants live on the ledge from camera monitors inside (that's how I took this photo.) More information is available online at http://www.edgewalkcntower.ca

For the rest of us mere mortals, there is very cool view straight down straight down through a glass floor, 113 stories above the ground. The glass is 6 cm (2.5 inches) thick, and they say it’s strong enough to support at least a dozen hippos.

In April 2008 the tower also added North America's first, and the world's highest, glass-floor-paneled elevator. The elevator has two glass panels, each 2 1/2 inches thick, which cover a total of six square feet of floor space.

For more than 30 years the CN Tower was recognized as the World's Tallest Building. On Sept. 21, 2009 Guinness World Records confirmed that it is the World's Tallest Tower. A structure is a tower when less that 50% of its constructions is useable floor space. The CN Tower has also been designated a Wonder of the Modern World. Photo courtesy of CN Tower

Where: You'll find the CN Tower on Front St. beside Toronto's domed stadium, in the heart of the entertainment district. If you are taking the TTC go to Union Station and walk west for five to ten minutes. The neighbourhood immediately to the north is known for its restaurants and nightclubs, Roy Thomson Hall (home of the Toronto Symphony ) and the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra Theatres. Quick Tip: Consider making a reservation to dine in the Tower's 360 Restaurant. Not only does it have a spectaular view and it's a favorite of visiting celebrities, your ride up the tower will be free. World's highest wine cellar photo courtesy of CN Tower.

 

 

Canada’s Coolest:

Welcome to a new feature on Canada Cool. I'll be presenting different 'Coolest' lists with my favorites and I encourage you to nominate suggestions from your own experiences. You can Twitter @CanadaCool or email Lucy@CanadaCool.com. Let me know what makes your suggestion exceptionally cool. Remember, by contributing your comments you are giving Canada Cool permission to quote you. Only a selection of submissions will be included, but all comments and submissions are greatly appreciated!

The first feature is: Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives

Here are some of my favorites...

The Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Alberta - This 229 km (142 mi) Rocky Mountain route from Banff/Lake Louise to Jasper passes 100 frozen rivers and nudges the base of the Athabasca Glacier - the most accessible glacier in the world. You can stop and explore it. It spills down from the Columbia Icefield, an area of ice so massive that you could fit the entire population of North America on it with each person getting at least a square metre of space.

The Corridor, Algonquin Park, Ontario – this 56-km stretch of Hwy 60 cuts through the southwest section of Algonquin Park. Less than three hours north of Toronto the park is a nature-lover's paradise with 7,725 km of lakes, rivers, forest, trails, camping, comfortable lodges and 2000 km of canoe routes. Offers hiking trails to stop and enjoy, but what makes it really cool is that it’s one of the best places in North America to spot moose (especially in May and June). And, on Thursday nights in August up to 600 cars will gather to listen to wolves howl.

The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – Driving this 303 km (187 mile) route is like riding a roller-coaster: the road snakes around hairpin turns, rises to heights over 365 metres (1200 ft), weaves around headlands revealing spectacular coastal scenery, and plunges down to sea level taking you into the heart of small fishing communities. The most dramatic scenery is between the Cape Breton Highlands National Park entrance near Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, so go slow. And, plan some flexibility into your schedule, so you can drive it on a clear day.

And here are some of your nominations for 'Canada's Coolest Single Day Scenic Drives'...

More from Canada’s Coolest

'Canada's Coolest' topics we'll be publishing in the future:

• Golf Course Features
• Haunted Hotels
• Hotel Special Services

Send your suggestions to lucy@CanadaCool.com

Recent 'Canada's Coolest' topics: