Malahat Skywalk: Spectacular treetop walk opens on Vancouver Island, Canada

Canadians resuming socially distanced summer sojourns are in for exhilaration as well as elevation with the opening of the Malahat Skywalk on Vancouver Island which offers a 20 metre spiral slide as part of the experience.

Located on the Pacific Marine Circle Route in British Columbia's Cowichan Valley among forests, orchards and vineyards, the Skywalk is an immersion in nature itself following a 600 metre elevated walkway through Arbutus and Douglas Fir forest, leading to a 10-storey, architecturally-inspiring spiral tower lookout.

At 250 metres above sea level, visitors will enjoy 360-degree views of two countries, including Finlayson Arm, Saanich Inlet, Saanich Peninsula and the Gulf Islands of Canada and the San Juan Islands and Mount Baker in the United States.

In addition to the 20 metre enclosed spiral slide which guests can ride as many times as they like, an adventure net suspended partially across the centre of the Spiral Tower provides daring guests with another viewpoint before returning to ground level.

The Skywalk is located on the traditional territory of the Malahat Nation and Indigenous stories including art by Coast Salish Peoples at the entrance are embedded throughout an experience that focuses on the trees, birds, animals and marine life of the coastal region.

The 2.2 kilometre wooden path from the breezeway of the interpretive welcome centre to the tower, and back to the cafe is wheelchair and stroller friendly at the attraction, which is a 35-minute drive north of BC's capital of Victoria and one hour south of Nanaimo.

Skywalks around the globe have long provided travellers with soaring views in previously inaccessible places including the new Kalbarri Skywalk, in Australia's Coral Coast region about 500 kilometres north of Perth.