Top 10 Most Unique Staircases amidst Nature Worldwide

This unique staircase sits atop Gaztelugatxe Island in Spain, connected to the mainland by an artificial bridge. Gaztelugatxe is a small islet on the Bay of Biscay belonging to the autonomous community of Bermeo, Basque Country. A monastery dating back to the 10th century, possibly 9th, is built on the summit of the islet. The entrance to the monastery is a narrow pathway, along a stone bridge, consisting of 237 steps. The best seasons to visit are spring and autumn. At the highest point of the island (50 meters above sea level) lies the ancient hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (Basque: Gaztelugatxeko Doniene, Spanish: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe) dedicated to Saint John. To reach the hermitage, after crossing the stone bridge, one must ascend 237 steps of a staircase carved into the rock.

The original church was built in 1053 and in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was probably a hiding place for the Knight Templar. Later serving as a refuge for hermits, the monastery was raided and plundered in 1593 by a group of English pirates led by Francis Drake. A year later, the monastery was again attacked, looted, and burnt down by Huguenots from La Rochelle. In the 18th century, the island was occupied by the British; and during the Spanish Civil War, the Battle of Matxitxako of the navy took place nearby. In the following years, the church was either a seafarers' sanctuary or abandoned. It burned down in 1978 and two years later, the monastery was restored and reopened. In recent times, Gaztelugatxe has become a popular tourist destination and a point of attraction for travelers due to the island's beautiful and romantic setting. A haven for seabirds and the underwater caves of the island allure many divers.

Awaji Hyakudanen translates to 'Terrace of Dreams'. Inside are square flower gardens surrounded by a small staircase. Awaji Yumebutai is a unique structure on Awaji Island, Hyōgo, Japan. It's renowned for the Hyakudanen garden area, divided into 100 small square blocks planted with vibrant flora, interspersed with short flights of stairs. This construction was erected to commemorate the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995 by architect Tadao Ando. Positioned on a mountainside, it's designed to allow people to comfortably admire and freely visit.

Originally, architect Ando's ambitious plan was to create a greenery-filled park here. He also persuaded local authorities to acquire surrounding land for park development. However, while implementing this project, a severe earthquake struck, shaking the island and claiming over 6,000 lives. Following that tragedy, architect Ando revised his plan, transforming Awaji Yumebutai into a memorial site, featuring the beautiful Hyakudanen flower gardens. It later became known as the 'Stage of Dreams.' According to architect Ando, each flower in the garden symbolizes those unfortunate souls lost in the earthquake. The staircase system within the Hyakudanen garden area is another distinctive feature. With interspersed short flights of stairs, visitors can pause at any point they wish to admire the memorial's surroundings.

The staircase, towering 91.5 meters along the cliffs of Taihang Mountain in Lamzhou, China, offers an unforgettable experience for travelers, especially without the need for any special safety equipment. However, due to safety and health concerns, the management imposes conditions on those intending to climb this staircase. Climbers must fill out a confirmation form stating they have no heart or lung issues and must be under 60 years old. China's tourism organization in Lamzhou, Hubei Province, hopes this staircase will provide tourists with a real experience of the mountain range. They aim to boost tourism by installing a giant spiral staircase. And they hope that the 91-meter 'Stairway to Heaven' will inspire people to visit the Taihang Mountains in Lamzhou, Hubei Province, China.

Just looking at the stairs is dizzying, yet it's believed the staircase will attract thousands of tourists in China. The spiral staircase installed on the cliffs of Taihang Mountain in Lamzhou aims to create a thrilling sensation when climbing the mountain without danger. The most exciting feeling is when the wind blows, birds fly by, and the stairs creak. This staircase is much safer than an elevator. If you've reached halfway up the stairs and can't continue, you can stop there to rest, enjoy the view, and then continue your journey.

Chand Baori or Bawdi translates to “Moon Well” is an ancient stepwell located in the village of Abhaneri in the eastern part of Rajasthan – midway between the cities of Jaipur and Agra, India. Chand Baori is the largest stepwell in India. Built in the 9th century, the well is 30 meters deep and has 13 floors of stairs alongside the staircase. It has 3,500 steps. Looking at the arches and vaulted gateways, it resembles an ancient underground palace, but it's truly a millennium-old marvel. Travelers call it the 'inverted pyramid.' The stepwell was designed to store water and make it easier for people to access. Typically, the bottom of the well would have a door to raise the water level, bringing it up 3-4 layers during seasons when water is needed. It's astonishing that this well was built around 800 AD and its function remains perfect to this day.

It's said that because the area is extremely arid, the king at the time ordered a deep well to hold enough water, and to allow villagers to cool off during scorching summers, the bottom of the well could be cooler by 5-6 degrees. At the bottom of the 7th tier, there's now an iron railing. Locals consider the well water holy, so most people can get close, but there are also local legends that this well was actually dug. Not only is it the oldest structure over 1,300 years old, but Chand Baori stepwell is also the deepest, largest, and most unique water well in the world. Hence, it has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

This is a specially designed hiking trail in the shape of a staircase on Oahu Island, Hawaii (USA). With a height of 800m, visitors will experience a strong sensation as the altitude gradually increases. From the top, visitors can admire the scenery from below, the beautiful and majestic nature. It's likened to a staircase to heaven, a place humans couldn't ascend. But under human creativity, it's been realized here. This is truly a place worth living and experiencing.

According to ancient information, this staircase was originally built to serve the navy's missions. However, after some time, this mission ceased, and it has become a tourist destination as it is today. When conquering to the top, visitors feel immersed in a very special land, shrouded in thick mist. Haiku Stairs – Hawaii consists of 3,922 steps. The distance between each step is carefully designed to make visitors feel comfortable, not stumbling, making it easy to ascend to the top. The stairs are almost vertical, reaching the highest point at Pu'u Keahi a Kahoe, with a height of over 2,500 feet. Although the staircase was built in 1943 during World War II, by 1987, it was still banned from public access. However, according to Instagram photos, many people still illegally trespass to experience this famous trail. Haiku Stairs – Hawaii is an incredible destination. Not only do we admire the beautiful scenery, but we also immerse ourselves in the modern life of the world's largest country, the USA.

The bridge across Traversinertobel, a valley in Via Mala, is the latest architectural feat by engineer Jürg Conzett and collaborator Rolf Bachofner. What makes it unique is that instead of being a straight bridge, a portion of it is a steep staircase descending. This peculiar shape is explained by the significant height difference between the two sides of the mountain ravine, making it impossible to span a straight surface from one end to the other. Therefore, the architects added a staircase to address the inclines of the bridge. They ingeniously solved the challenge of connecting the two sides of the steep mountain ravine by building a staircase. This bridge replaces a rope bridge when pedestrians were exhausted from traversing landslide-prone mountain areas. The bridge hovering over this mountain ravine spans 56 meters, with a height difference of 22 meters between the two ends.

The beautiful Central European country with its towering mountains and deep ravines is the reason behind the creation of this unique 2-in-1 structure. The longest among its kind, the ladder-bridge combination across the Traversinertobel valley, a design by Jürg Conzett and Rolf Bachofner, is both a 56-meter-long bridge and a staircase due to connecting two points on the shore. Its structure resembles a soft, sinuous line, enhancing the majestic beauty of nature. The steepness makes tourists shudder every time they look down.

In the early 17th century, Fort de Roovere fortress was surrounded by a moat filled with water, and at that time there was no bridge crossing it. As part of a renovation project, the need for an additional bridge arose, and Dutch architects set out to design and build Moses Bridge, a submerged and nearly invisible bridge. This unique invisible bridge was constructed to cross the defensive moat of Fort de Roovere fortress (Netherlands) – a fortress built to resist invasions from France and Spain. However, when it became a tourist attraction, architects had to devise a way to build a bridge across the defensive moat without altering the fortress's architecture. Eventually, they came up with the solution of constructing an invisible bridge, traversing the moat and lying below its water level.

Moses Bridge is located in Halsteren, Netherlands. This bridge is designed to resemble the biblical image of Moses parting the Red Sea to allow the Jews to escape. Because it is submerged underwater, it is also referred to as the invisible bridge. Many visitors express surprise at the uniqueness of this unparalleled structure. And, of course, the significance behind the construction of such a bridge is something everyone wants to know. In reality, building a bridge like this serves a purpose. Since the end of the war, this fortress has become a bird sanctuary. The Dutch government decided to open this area to visitors for exploration. Hence, the plan to build a bridge across the defensive moat was conceived.

Perched atop a hill in Duisburg, the staircase winds along in a spiral fashion reminiscent of a roller coaster track. Visitors can ascend this structure where it meets the ground, but no one has managed to traverse the full loop at its center. Designed by German artists, these winding loops create a 'sculpture' resembling the tracks of high-speed roller coasters. So those strolling on that staircase not only get a proper workout but also enjoy panoramic views of the picturesque countryside of Duisburg. Thanks to the unique design by Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth, one can take in the entire Rhine River from a height of 45m.

The curved, winding stairs are like beautiful signatures in the natural landscape, providing a unique sensation for all. Interestingly, upon completion, it has always been a favorite spot for people to explore heights and admire the surrounding scenery. The width of the staircase is 1m, providing ample space for movement without feeling cramped. The lighting system for the entire structure consists of LED lights attached to the handrails of the staircase, with various colors at night making the structure stand out and attract everyone's attention. This staircase is also known as the 'Magic Mountain Tiger & Turtle' with a height of 45m, comprising 249 steps.

Santorini, known as a gem of Greece nestled in the Aegean Sea, is undeniably one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet. It boasts countless wonders, including seaside staircases adorned with the region's characteristic white walls and azure sea. Notable are the traditional houses blending with charming details such as domed roofs, vibrantly colored staircases, or stone-paved alleys. Harsh weather conditions (winter storms and scorching summers) preventing vegetation growth and past pirate invasions have shaped the unique 'cave' architecture found only on the island of Santorini.

The pathways in Santorini are characterized by polygonal or rectangular stone materials. Designs of natural stone slabs are often modified to fit the structure of the path. Here, each house has its own shape, slanted and chaotic. Typically, houses have two floors and an outdoor staircase, so the floors seem to be independently used. Located amidst vast seas, Santorinians often face prolonged drought and water shortages, so they have to make do with what they have. Their homes are entirely built of volcanic rock, not exceeding 3m in height because large wooden beams cannot be found due to the small forest area. The staircase is open-air, connecting two low-level houses, and the kitchen is placed outward to create ventilation.

The staircase sits on a slope descending behind the cosmic storage garden, aptly named the 'space floor.' Along the staircase climb is a large rock and a long bench placed at each tier for visitors to enjoy the scenery as they ascend the hill. This staircase is an unusual architecture, rising from a large reservoir, water flowing down the center along a zigzag path on the hillside and ending at an open hall on the summit.

This stunning staircase, descending from the hilltop to the ground, leisurely winds along the hillside behind the Cosmic Storage Garden. From afar, the white staircase stands out amidst the green grass. A large rock and a long bench are placed at each tier for visitors to admire the scenery as they climb the slope. This staircase is an unusual architecture, rising from a large reservoir, water flowing down the center along a zigzag path on the hillside and ending at an open hall on the summit. In 1930, the staircase was upgraded and additional steps were added to assist the ascent and descent; ultimately, in 1979, a cable car was installed to automate this process – though riding the mule remains the favorite.