When you’re walking down the Main Midway at Cedar Point, it’s hard to miss the massive copper track looming over the horizon. That’s Valravn. Honestly, if you’re a coaster enthusiast or just someone who likes a good adrenaline rush, the valravn roller coaster height is probably the first thing you Google before even stepping foot in Sandusky. It’s 223 feet of "nope" for some and "heck yes" for others.
But here’s the thing: height in the coaster world is kinda deceptive. You look at a number on a screen and think, "Okay, 223 feet, got it." Then you actually stand at the base of those regal blue supports and realize that 22 stories of steel is a very different beast in person. It’s tall. Really tall. In fact, when it opened in 2016, it snatched up ten world records, and most of them were tied directly to that sheer vertical scale.
The Breakdown of the 223-Foot Peak
So, let's talk specs. The valravn roller coaster height officially sits at 223 feet (that’s 68 meters for the metric fans). It was designed by the legends over at Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), and it was actually their 100th coaster installation. Quite a milestone, right?
The lift hill is a 47-degree climb. It feels slow—painfully slow—because it’s building that psychological dread. You aren't just going up; you're sitting in these massive, eight-across floorless trains. There’s no floor. Your feet are just dangling over the midway, and as you crest that 223-foot peak, the view of Lake Erie is actually stunning. For about three seconds.
Then the "holding brake" happens.
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This is the signature move of a dive coaster. The train doesn't just roll over the edge. It stops. It dangles you at a 90-degree angle, staring straight down 214 feet to the concrete. You’re held there for about four seconds. It feels like forty.
Why 223 Feet Isn't the Only Number That Matters
While the lift hill is 223 feet, the actual first drop is 214 feet. This is a common point of confusion. Why the difference? Basically, the track doesn't go all the way to the "ground" level at the bottom of the first drop; it pulls out into a massive Immelmann loop.
- Top Speed: 75 mph. You hit this almost instantly after that release.
- The Second Drop: Most people forget Valravn has a second act. After the first loop, you hit a mid-course brake run and then plunge another 131 feet.
- Inversions: There are three of them. A 165-foot tall Immelmann (which was a record-breaker for height when it debuted), a dive loop, and a 270-degree zero-g roll.
The zero-g roll is probably the most underrated part of the ride. Because the trains are so wide, if you're sitting on the ends, you feel like you're being whipped around the center of the track. It’s a totally different experience than sitting in the middle.
How it Stacks Up Against the Competition
Look, we have to address the elephant in the room: Yukon Striker.
In 2019, Canada’s Wonderland opened Yukon Striker, which technically shares the 223-foot height record but features a longer drop (245 feet) because it dives into an underwater tunnel. Does that make Valravn less impressive? Not really. Within the context of Cedar Point—the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World"—Valravn holds its own.
It’s taller than Magnum XL-200 (205 feet) and Steel Vengeance (205 feet), though both of those rides offer a very different kind of thrill. While Steel Vengeance is all about "ejector airtime" (that feeling of being thrown out of your seat), Valravn is about "floater" and the sheer visual terror of the dive.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Experience
People often think height equals intensity. That’s not always true. Maverick at Cedar Point is only 105 feet tall, but many enthusiasts find it way more intense than Valravn.
Valravn is "graceful" intensity. It’s smooth. B&M coasters are known for that buttery-smooth feel. You aren't going to get your head rattled like you might on some older wooden coasters or the "Old Arrow" loopers. This is the first dive coaster to use B&M's vest-style restraints, too. Some people hate them because they "staple" you into the seat, but they definitely make you feel secure when you're hanging 200 feet in the air.
Pro-Tip for the Best View
If you want the full impact of the valravn roller coaster height, you have to wait for the front row. It’s non-negotiable. Sitting in the back row is fun because you get "pulled" over the drops, which increases the G-forces, but you lose that visual of the track simply disappearing beneath you.
Also, try riding it at night. The way the park lights reflect off Lake Erie while you're hanging at the top is something else. It makes the 223 feet feel even more isolated from the world below.
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Final Technical Logistics
If you're planning a trip, keep these numbers in mind:
- Height Requirement: You must be at least 52 inches tall. This is actually a bit shorter than the 54-inch requirement for some of the other big rides like Raptor or Rougarou.
- Capacity: It handles about 1,200 riders per hour. With three cars per train and eight people per row, the line moves faster than it looks, but it’s still a "Fast Lane Plus" attraction for a reason.
- The Name: "Valravn" comes from Danish folklore. It means "raven of the slain." According to the myths, a valravn is a supernatural bird that eats the hearts of kings to gain human knowledge and shape-shifting powers. Kind of a metal name for a roller coaster.
When you finally reach the final brake run, there’s usually a collective exhale from the 24 people on board. You've just survived a 214-foot vertical drop and three inversions. It’s a short ride—clocking in at about 2 minutes and 23 seconds—but it packs a punch.
To make the most of your visit, head to the Main Midway early in the morning. Valravn is one of the first major coasters you hit when entering from the main gate, so the line swells quickly. If the wait is over 90 minutes, consider hitting it during the "Golden Hour" right before sunset when the crowds often migrate toward Frontier Town for Steel Vengeance and Maverick. Check the official Cedar Point app for real-time wait updates before you commit to the queue.