There are many pedestrian bridges around the world. They are used for different purposes, but they all share one thing: they are incredibly beautiful. Hiking is an amazing way to spend time in nature, and it’s even more fun when you can get lost in the beauty of a scenic trail. If you’re looking for an easy way to enjoy some gorgeous scenery without having to trek miles through the wilderness, look no further than these pedestrian bridge hikes.
In this article, we will explore some of the most stunning pedestrian bridge hikes in the world. These hikes will help you to see some of the most beautiful sights that your country has to offer.
The most stunning pedestrian bridge hikes in the world
Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado
The 1,200-foot deep gorge is 10 miles long and was carved over millions of years by the Arkansas River, which still flows through its depths and welcomes whitewater rafters. The Royal Gorge spans the gorge and is one of the world’s highest suspension bridges. Built in 1929, it stretches 1,270 feet across and soars 956 feet above Arkansas. The making of Royal Gorge Bridge & Park the ideal place for scenic views and adrenaline-pumping adventures. The gorge is just a few minutes drive from Canon City, and an hour each from Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a popular tourist spot in Northern Ireland, and for good reason. The bridge is located in the small town of Ballintoy, which means “the bottom of the cliff.” The bridge was built by fishermen in the 1700s to help them catch salmon. It connected the mainland to an island called Carrick-a-Rede, which means “the rock with holes.”
Today, this rope bridge is a popular tourist attraction because it’s one of the few places where you can feel like a real adventurer. The current Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge now hangs 25 feet above the chilly waters below and it’s a cozy one-meter wide. The views from the bridge are incredible, so you’ll probably want to bring your camera along. There’s also a restaurant located at the mainland end of the bridge that serves traditional Irish food. If you go during high tide, you can walk out onto the rocks below and explore some caves as well.
Trift Suspension Bridge, Switzerland
The Trift Bridge is a simple suspension bridge 170 meters long at a height of 100 meters. To find it you can take the cable car in Meiringen and then make a 2-hour uphill hike to reach it. It might be a little difficult, ​but you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Swiss Alps. The bridge spans a gorge and crosses the Trift Glacier, which is one of the largest in Europe. The hike begins at the Winteregg train station and continues along the Berner Oberland railway line to Kandersteg.
The bridge itself is a remarkable example of Swiss engineering built in the middle of the Alps. From the Trift Bridge, an alpine trail will lead you to the Swiss Alpine Club Trift hut, located at 2,520 m, which provides accommodation for travelers. The area got its name from the Trift glacier which is well visible from the bridge.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Hunan Province, China
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is the most stunning pedestrian bridge hike you’ll ever experience. It’s located in Hunan Province, China, and it spans a stunning canyon that’s 1,800 feet long. The bridge itself is made of glass and is 462 feet high (that’s taller than the Eiffel Tower).
You can walk across the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge for about 8 minutes, but when you’re done, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world. You’ll see beautiful views of the forest below you as well as the towering cliffs surrounding you. The bridges are made up of 99 panels that are connected to form a solid structure and are supported by a series of cables that run through the underside of the structure. The glass panels allow visitors to see straight down into the canyon below them as they walk across it. The glass panels also feature an anti-slip surface that helps prevent people from slipping off as they walk across them.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge, North Vancouver, Canada
Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of Metro Vancouver’s most popular and visited attractions. The Capilano Suspension Bridge’s address is 3735 Capilano Road. If coming via downtown Vancouver, go through Stanley Park, head over the Lions Gate Bridge, veer right towards North Vancouver, and then very soon turn left onto Capilano Road. The venue is about 2.5 km up the hill on your left, with pay parking on your right. The highlight of the Capilano Suspension Bridge attraction is of course the world-famous suspension bridge. Originally built in the late 1800s, the bridge is 450 feet long (or 137 meters). It’s also 230 feet above the Capilano River (or 70 meters). As you’ll probably learn if you take one of the guided history tours, that’s equivalent to the height of the Statue of Liberty up to her shoulders and the length of two NHL ice hockey rinks.
Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the top hiking destinations in the world with so much variety to offer its visitors. The landscape is full of the Swiss Alps, green valleys, glaciers, waterfalls, and much more. However, Switzerland is also home to the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge and you will have the chance to hike to it for yourself. At 1,621 feet long and nearly 300 feet above the ground, the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge is one of the top hiking highlights during a trip to Switzerland. The bridge itself is not located in Zermatt, rather it is a quick 15-minute train ride away above the town of Randa.
Langkawi SkyBridge, Malaysia
Langkawi Sky Bridge is located on Langkawi Island in Malaysia. This cable bridge built on Mount Mat Cincang provides stunning views to pedestrians. Since its opening in 2005, it has become one of the must-see tourist attractions in this part of the world.
Access to the Bridge is by cable car (the steepest in the world), which takes you 2170 ft above sea level. Hence this unique experience is not for those afraid of heights. Moreover, since 2015 the SkyGlide glass panels have provided visitors with a look down at the valley. SkyGlide is an elevator connecting the top station and Sky Bridge. The bridge isn’t just a beautiful sight to behold; it’s also an architectural marvel. The entire structure is made of glass, which allows visitors to see all of the beauty below their feet from above as well.
516 Arouca, Portugal
The 516 Arouca bridge is the largest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world and is located in Arouca, in the Aveiro district, Portugal. With 516 meters in length and an elevation of 175 meters, it connects the banks of the Paiva River. While crossing the bridge, you will have a breathtaking view over Garganta do Paiva and Cascata das Aguieiras, both sites of the UNESCO Arouca Geopark territory.516 Arouca Bridge is located in Arouca, next to the famous Passadiços do Paiva. The bridge has become a popular tourist attraction because of its design and location on the riverfront. It’s especially popular with photographers who want to capture its unique appearance from various vantage points around town.
Skypark Sochi, Russia
The Skypark Sochi is a pedestrian bridge that spans the length of the Black Sea. It’s located on the coast of Russia, just outside the city of Sochi, and it’s one of the most stunning pedestrian bridges in the world. The skywalk was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava and has been a popular tourist attraction. It’s made up of two parallel bridges: one for cars, bikers, and pedestrians; and one for trains. The train bridge is actually an extension of a nearby railway line that runs along the Black Sea coast. The Sochi Skybridge is actually part of an entire Skypark operated under famous bungee operator AJ Hackett. The thrill sports attractions include first and foremost the 207-meter bungee jump, a lower 69-meter bungee jump, a 170-meter swing, the Megatroll zip line, the “Mowgli” rope park and the Via Ferrata fixed tether mountain hiking trail.
Huangchuan Glass Bridge, China
The Huangchuan Glass Bridge, in China, is a pedestrian bridge that’s famous for its transparent glass. It sits on the side of a mountain and offers views of the river below. The bridge in question is the glass bridge in the Huangchuan Three Gorges Scenic Area, a part of Southern China that runs along the Lianjiang River. This glass walkway hovers over the river below, giving visitors the feeling of walking on air which is thrilling, and a little bit terrifying. The bridge itself sits at a dizzying height of 660 feet above the river below and the entirety of the bridge spans 1,726 feet across. While the bridge looks narrow from above, it actually spans a distance of 28 feet across at its platforms, allowing plenty of room for visitors to observe, view, and even take photos while crossing the bridge.
Conclusion
The stunning pedestrian bridge hikes we’ve shared with you have shown us that there are many incredible places to explore on foot. We hope this list has inspired you to get outside and see the world in a new way.
Whether you’re looking for an easy walk or a challenging hike, these bridges will provide you with breathtaking views of some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. If you are planning a trip and want to visit some of these amazing places (or even if you live near one), we hope that this article helps you plan an unforgettable experience.
