By Julius Choudhury
We look at some breathtaking and terrifying pedestrian walkways and bridges from around the world.
We look at some breathtaking and terrifying pedestrian walkways and bridges from around the world.
Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, Switzerland
With a spectacular view of the Matterhorn, Weisshorn and Bernese Alps, the world's longest suspension bridge is 1,621 feet (494 meters) across. The bridge was inaugurated on July 29, 2017, and replaced the old bridge that closed due to falling of rocks in 2010. The bridge shortens the journey between Swiss towns Zermatt and Grächen by cutting a three- or four-hour trek across the valley to just 10 minutes.
Glass-bottomed bridge, Tianmenshan National Forest Park, China
The world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge built above a canyon is 1,230 feet (374 meters) in length and 984 feet (299 meters) high. To prevent vibration, giant glass balls are inserted into its floor.
Titlis Cliff Walk, Engelberg, Switzerland
This nerve-racking pedestrian walkway is built 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) above sea level in the Swiss Alps, making it the highest suspension bridge in Europe. It is 320 feet (97 meters) long and only 3 feet (0.91 meters) wide.
Glass Suspension Bridge, Zhengzhou, China
Known as the Brave Men's bridge, it's located at the Fuxishan Tourism Resort in Henan Province, is 1,410 feet (430 meters) long, 20 feet (6 meters) wide and 984 feet (300 meters) above the canyon floor.
Carrick-a-rede Bridge, Northern Ireland
This popular rope bridge near Ballintoy in County Antrim is 66 feet (20 meters) in length and is 98 feet (29 meters) above the ground.
Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver, Canada
First built in 1889 and rebuilt again in 1956, it crosses the Capilano River and is 460 feet (140 meters) long and 230 feet (70 meters) above the river.
U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Myanmar
This crossing over Taungthaman Lake was built around 1850 and is almost 1.2-km (0.75 miles) in length. The structure consists of 1,086 teakwood pillars that were built from the wood reclaimed from the former royal palace in Inwa.
Royal Gorge Bridge, Near Canon City, Colorado, USA
This bridge was constructed in 1929 and is located within the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, an amusement park. It is 1,260 feet (384 meters) long and 955 feet (291 meters) above the Arkansas River. There are 1,292 wooden planks covering the steel base structure. It is the highest bridge in the U.S.
The Trift Bridge, Switzerland
Located near Gadmen in the Swiss Alps, it is 560 feet (170 meters) long and 330 feet (100 meters) above the ground.
El Caminito del Rey, Spain
This 2.9-km (1.8 miles) long and 3.2 feet (1 meter) wide footbridge passes through the Gaitanes Gorge of Spain in Malaga. Hanging 328 feet (100 metres) above the Guadalhorce River, the bridge was closed for public in 2001 following five deaths in 1999 and 2000. It re-opened in 2015 following renovations.
Peak Walk, Switzerland
This bridge allows visitors to walk between two mountain peaks. It is 351 feet (107 meters) long, 2.6 feet (0.8 meters) wide and 9,842 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level, and is situated in the Swiss Alps between Glacier 3000 and Scex Rouge.
Hanging Bridge of Ghasa, Nepal
Built over the Gandaki River near the town of Ghasa, this bridge was originally constructed to ease traffic congestion that was caused by animal herds on the roads. It is 230 feet (70 meters) high and 450 feet (137 meters) long.
Tigbao Hanging Bridge, Philippines
Perched 82 feet (25 meters) over the Loboc River in Bohol, the hanging bridge is actually made of metal. The bamboo layering is simply an add-on.
Kakum Canopy Walkway, Ghana
The hanging bridges for the canopy walk in Kakum National Park near Cape Coast were built with wire ropes, aluminium ladders and wooden planks. The walkway is 1,080-foot (330 meters) long and has an average height of 130 feet (40 meters).
Longjiang Bridge, Baoshan, China
The bridge is situated in the Yunan province 920 feet (280 meters) above river Longjiang and is 3,924 feet (1,196 meters) in length, making it one of the longest bridges in the world.
(Pictured) The installation of the first steel box girder onto the large-span suspension bridge on July 30, 2015, when it was still under construction.
Hussaini Hanging Bridge, Pakistan
This suspension bridge is located in the village of Hussaini over the River Hunza. The wooden planks on the bridge are placed at quite a distance from each other, creating nerve-racking gaps.
Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
It is the longest of the eight bridges that form the Atlanterhavsveien – the Atlantic Road between the mainland Romsdal peninsula to the island of Averøya in Møre og Romsdal county. The cantilever bridge is 850 feet (260 meters) long and features a series of terrifying twists and turns. It took six years in the making and work was delayed due to unruly weather and 12 hurricanes.
Aiguille du Midi bridge, France
The bridge has been carved into the Aiguille du Midi mountain in Chamonix, offering views toward the highest peak in Europe – Mont Blanc. Although the length of the bridge is small, it is situated 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) above sea level.
The Vine Bridges of Iya Valley, Japan
The series of historic vine bridges in the remote Iya Valley have existed for over 100 years. Earlier, they had no railings and would move too much, but today they have been made stronger with steel cables hidden behind the vines.
Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia
The 410-foot (125 meters) curved pedestrian bridge is located 2,170 feet (660 meters) above sea level at the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang mountain in Langkawi. It offers spectacular views of the island and is designed to carry up to 200 people at a time.
Eshima Ohashi Bridge, Japan
Built between 1997 and 2004, the Eshima Ohashi Bridge spans just over a mile across Lake Nakaumi and is 37 feet (11 meters) wide. It connects the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato and has a terrifying steep slope, giving a roller coaster-like experience.
Ojuela Bridge, Mexico
The wooden suspension bridge is situated in MapimÃ, Durango. Used only by pedestrians, the 1,043-foot (318 meters) long and 5.9-foot (1.8 meters) wide bridge connects the ghost town of Ojuela to an abandoned mine.
