Straník is a hill with an excellent view of Žilina – an 80 thousand industrial city in the Northwest Slovakia. Since the 1930’s the hill of Straník has been used for flying gliders. In a favorable weather, one can enjoy the view as well observe rogallos, paragliders and gliders taking off. The crest of the hill was a protected national heritage site - around 10th - 12th century B.C. a hill-fort had existed here. Although no complex archeological excavations and research have taken place here just yet, it is only a matter of time.

The architects aimed at making this place attractive for tourists, while taking into consideration claims made by heritage conservationists, paragliders as well as forestry, because the area is also used for logging timber.

2021 and LABAK mapped the existing infrastructure - the pathway, provisional shelter and the bench and translated it into contemporary architectonic language.

The subtle footbridge aims to controllably manage movement of tourists, away from the flying, and at the same time provide an easy access to the top of the hill for visitors with limited mobility. The footbridge levitates above the terrain and the only physical contact is through ground screws.In case a need emerges, it can be adjusted or moved.

In the last stretch to the crest of the hill, the footbridge is discontinued in order to allow passage for the timber-logging logistics. Then it further continues to a shelter roof, from where visitors can observe the picturesque images of rogallos, paragliders and gliding planes taking off and flying above the landscape, while munching on a sausage from a near-by food stall. The pathway leads visitors to its end with a bench, where they can sit and enjoy the panoramic view of Small Fatra mountain range and national park, as well Žilina’s car factory.

This project used local black locust wood, which is maintenance-free, resilient to vermins as well as to changing weather conditions.