From Canada to Ireland to Burma, Musement takes a look at 10 of the world’s most exciting suspension bridges.
Adrenaline: All of us, to some extent, can grow addicted to this chemical substance that our bodies release, also known as epinephrine. Adrenaline increases the pulse, stimulates the heart, and accelerates breathing, provoking an increase in heart rate which oxygenates the blood more quickly, making us feel euphoric and motivated. In short, adrenaline makes us feel more alive.
Some adrenaline lovers do extreme sports and partake in risky challenges to enjoy an adrenaline release. However, there are less risky ways to feel that tingling sensation and euphoria, such as crossing a suspension bridge. here are 10 of the world’s most magnificent.
1. Capilano Suspension Bridge, Canada
This impressive bridge located in Vancouver, Canada was constructed in 1889, making it one of the world’s oldest. It is 230 feet tall and 450 feet long. There might be others that are longer or taller and with more complex structures, but this bridge swings and bounces with every step you take, which multiplies the tension you experience as you cross…pure adrenaline!
2. Royal Gorge Bridge, United States
Constructed in 1929, the Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City, Colorado, had the honor of being the world’s tallest bridge until the Sidu River Bridge and Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge eventually knocked it off the podium. It is a whopping 1,280 feet long, and from its height of 950 feet, you can enjoy an incredible view of the Arkansas River—a must-visit if you’re passing through Colorado.
3. Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, Switzerland
Amid an exceptional backdrop and suspended 280 feet over the mountains of Randa, Switzerland, the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge spans 1,624 feet and requires a ten-minute hike to reach, which has been known to discourage a visitor or two. The bridge is so narrow that it is barely visible from a drone, which multiplies the sensation of discomfort for those who don’t love heights or the thrill factor for those who do.
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4. Storms River Suspension Bridge, South Africa
This incredible suspension bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa, rises 253 feet, offering a spectacular stroll along a trail that winds around the Storms River. The whole route can be completed in about a couple of hours, and there are two other suspension bridges along the way, but the views from this one are the most unforgettable.
5. Caminito del Rey, Spain
This bridge is all you need for a spike in adrenaline levels. Located in Malaga, Spain, many consider the bridge the world’s most dangerous because more than one person has died there. Closed for fifteen years before reopening five years ago, the bridge’s construction began in 1901 to gain access to a system of dams, pipes and power plants related to the Guadalhorce River. Because of the nature along the way, it is highly recommended for anyone looking to l load up on adrenaline.
6. Queshuachaca, Peru
Crossing this bridge is a true pre-Colombian ritual. Why? Because Queshuachaca is the last Incan suspension bridge still standing. Every June, families from Cusco reconstruct the bridge made from plant fibers over four days on the same date, a 600-year-old tradition. In 2009, the 92-foot long bridge was declared a cultural heritage site of Peru for its beauty and for the meaningful tradition it perpetuates.
7. Ojuela Bridge, Mexico
This peculiar bridge spanning more than 984 feet is the only point of access to a ghost town, an old and abandoned settlement in Durango, Mexico that opened to the public in 1991. Two towers sustain this bridge with steel cables over a cliff that is more than 328-feet high.
8. First Cliff Walk by Tissot, Switzerland
Much more than just a scenic outlook, this bridge is not good for acrophobes, but it is highly recommended if you are looking for an exhilarating experience while observing scenery that will leave you awestruck. It is located close to Grindelwald, Switzerland, and it consists of a long metal walkway, sometimes attached to the mountainside and other times suspended between mountains, which will take you to a platform from which the views are a real dream. Pay attention to the last section though—the floor is totally transparent!
9. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Ireland
This rope bridge located in Northern Ireland is only 66 feet long, but it is worth it. Constructed for salmon fishermen in 1755, the bridge has remained intact thanks to a program dedicated to preserving the cultural legacy of the region. It is located near the Giant’s Causeway, that peculiar geological phenomenon that seems as if it came from another planet. Game of Thrones fans will recognize it as the site where Blan Greyjoy was thrown to his death by his brother Euron.
10. U Bein Bridge, Burma
And to finish off, we jump over to Burma to cross this nearly one-mile long bridge, the oldest teakwood one in the world, situated over the Taungthaman Lake. Its construction is attributed to a 19th-century mayor, and although it’s technically not a suspension bridge, your heartbeat while you cross it will tell you otherwise. It is one of the most visited and photographed spots in the area, so you shouldn’t miss it!