Alps don’t need a balcony for selfies, walkway developers told

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Carosello Tonale is planning to build the SkyWalk, a glass-floored walkway near the retreating Presena glacier at Passo del Tonale in the Italian Alps. The project has drawn criticism from environmentalists and local officials due to its potential impact on the historic battlefield site, vulnerable wildlife, and the fragile alpine environment.

Plans to construct a high-altitude walkway in the Italian Alps near a historic battlefield and a rapidly retreating glacier have sparked opposition from local residents and environmental groups. The project, known as the SkyWalk, is located at Passo del Tonale on the Lombardy-Trentino border and is being developed by Carosello Tonale, a local ski lift operator.

The SkyWalk is a cantilevered platform featuring a glass floor and railings, designed to provide visitors with panoramic views of the Camonica and Sole Valleys. It will be incorporated into a circular hiking trail and is slated for completion by the summer of 2027. The development is part of broader efforts by Carosello Tonale to enhance tourism infrastructure in the area, including new cable cars and a mountain hut.

Critics have raised concerns over the environmental impact of the project, highlighting its location directly beneath the Presena glacier, which has lost approximately 40 percent of its ice cover in recent years due to climate change. The region also holds historical significance as the site of a First World War battlefield and serves as habitat for vulnerable wildlife species, including the golden eagle.

The Mountain Wilderness association condemned the development, arguing that mountainous environments should remain as undisturbed as possible rather than being altered to create tourist attractions. Similarly, Green politicians in Brescia province have called for a temporary suspension of the project, fearing it promotes a “theme park” style of tourism incompatible with the natural setting. In the nearby Trento province, councillor Lucia Coppola has initiated a formal inquiry into the project’s potential effects, emphasizing both the historical and ecological sensitivity of the site.

While similar panoramic platforms exist elsewhere in the Alps, the SkyWalk initiative comes amid heightened scrutiny of tourism in the region. This year, rising visitor numbers prompted authorities in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the host towns for the Winter Olympics, to deploy police on mountain trails to combat illegal camping and littering.

Carosello Tonale has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond to the concerns raised by environmentalists and local officials.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.