A Rope bridge is a crude kind of scaffold that is bolstered altogether from stays at either end and has no towers or wharfs. Be that as it may, it might have saddles.
In such scaffolds, the deck of the extension pursues the descending and upward bend of the heap bearing links, with extra light ropes at a larger amount used to shape a handrail. On the other hand, heavy handrail links bolstered on short wharves at each end might be the essential burden bearing component, with the deck suspended beneath.
They are popular tourist attractions around the world, offering scenic panoramas plus the thrill of being suspended hundreds, or even thousands, of feet above the ground. For the ultimate views and thrilling experiences, seek out these precarious footbridges around the world.
1. 516 Arouca, Portugal
Beating out Switzerland’s 1,621-foot-long Charles Kuonen bridge by 71 feet, this brand-new suspension bridge in Portugal is now the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. Built as a Tibet-style hanging bridge with V-shaped towers and steel cables supporting each end, it gets its name from its length (516 meters) and its hometown of Arouca. The latest attraction of the UNESCO-recognized Arouca Geopark of outdoor adventure and nature attractions, the bridge hangs 574 feet above the Paiva River, with views of the surrounding gorge and Aguieiras Waterfall.
2. Capilano Suspension Bridge, Canada
Swooping 230 feet above the Capilano River gorge and disappearing into dense, evergreen forests, the 460-foot-long Capilano Suspension Bridge gives visitors the sensation of entering an enchanted forest, although downtown Vancouver is just 15 minutes away. Located within a nature park in North Vancouver, the footbridge was originally built in 1889. It has since been updated from its original hemp cables to its current sturdy wire cables and cedar planks. Breathtaking anytime of the year, visiting during the holidays is a real treat, as the bridge and park are decked out in colorful lights for the Canyon Lights celebration.
3. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Ireland
Originally created and used by fishermen to get to the best fishing grounds during the seasonal salmon run, this knotted-rope bridge connects the small island of Carrick A Rede to mainland northern Ireland. Swaying a hundred feet above the rocky shoreline below, the 66-foot-long bridge has been rebuilt numerous times over the years since it was first made in 1755. Salmon no longer migrate here, so the bridge isn’t used by fishermen, but it’s still open to visitors for its historic significance and views of the Irish coast and nearby islands. On clear days, Scotland can even be glimpsed across the water.
4. Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, Switzerland
Despite just being beaten out for the title of world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge by 516 Arouca, the 1,621-foot-long Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge still wows with its views of the Weisshorn and Bernese Alps, rich alpine forests and meadows, and a nearby rock slide. It’s even possible to see the Matterhorn if you’re crossing from the north. Due to its extreme length and lofty height of nearly 279 feet above the Matteral Valley, the bridge is prone to swaying in high winds, and closes during winter and bad weather. While you can visit the bridge on a four-hour, round-trip hike from nearby Randa, the best way to experience it is as part of the Europaweg, a two-day hike that connects Zermatt and Grächen and is part of the larger Monte Rosa circuit.
5. Golden Skybridge, Canada
Set to open in June 2021, the Golden Skybridge near Golden, British Columbia, will introduce visitors to the majesty of the Canadian Rockies with unobstructed views of snow-capped peaks, wild forests, rocky canyons, and waterfalls. The twin suspension bridges will be the highest in the country at 426- and 262-feet-high. At lengths of 459 and 492 feet, the two bridges are connected by nature trails and link the abutting Rocky and Purcell Mountain ranges.
