That, right there, is the Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain, a giant sculpture that resembles a roller coaster. Except instead of tracks, it’s got stairs. And you can travel its length by walking on them.
Designed by German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth, the large-scale creation measures 20.6 x 48.2 x 34.4 meters (h x w x d), with a walking surface that stretches across a 220-meter track. It’s built atop a man-made plateau made of toxic zinc slag at the Heinrich Hildebrand Höhe in Duisburg Wanheim. Basically, it’s a giant flight of stairs that looks like a theme park ride.
The Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain is constructed out of zinc-plated steel and puts visitors 85 meters above sea level at its highest point, making for a good spot to appreciate the local countryside view. It comes with all the twists and turns reminiscent of a real roller-coaster, although we have no idea how you’re supposed to walk across the vertical loop in the center (I’m almost willing to bet some local daredevil has already tried it).
The rails and stairs are fitted with LEDs, so you can climb the sculpture even at night. If you’re the outdoor running type, this could make for a fun running platform although you’ll likely have to double back immediately and enter through the other side once you get to the loop-the-loop in the middle.
Under construction for a couple of years, the Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain opened to the public just a few days ago.