The bridge is one of the greatest inventions in the history of mankind. Bridges enabled our ancestors to get from one region to another without having to take lengthy detours or take their chances with rapid waters.
While many old bridges have undergone renovation, you may be surprised to see that some of them are still standing and are actually used by tourists to this day. Some more modern bridges, on the other hand, reach such breathtaking heights and lengths that they aren’t always for the faint of heart.
Hussaini Hanging Bridge (Pakistan)
The Hussaini Hanging Bridge is considered to be the most dangerous bridge in the world. You don’t need to stare long and hard at this photo to see why.
This rope bridge crosses over Borit Lake in the Upper Hunza. The bridge is poorly maintained and shakes viciously when you walk across it. If you take the wrong step, you’ll end up flying into the Hunza River below. Nonetheless, brave (or foolish) hikers like to test their bravery by crossing the bridge when they visit.
Langkawi Sky Bridge (Malaysia)
This curious-looking bridge in Malaysia is 400 feet above the ground and has been closed several times for maintenance purposes. Its reopening was delayed several times but it is now open for use, although not many people actually dare to cross.
At one point, the Sky Bridge was closed for two years because it was considered unsafe to use, while there was until recently a rumor going around in Langkawi that claimed the bridge could potentially collapse. We’ll be giving this one a miss but hey, you’re welcome to take the risk!
Seven Mile Bridge (Florida)
The Seven Mile Bridge stretches for… well, seven miles. It can be found in the Florida Keys and connects the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. At the time of its construction, Seven Mile Bridge was one of the longest bridges in the world, and though it’s since been dwarfed by a number of others, one thing still leaves crossing it a daunting prospect: the local climate.
Since it was first completed in 1912, a number of storms have left the Seven Mile Bridge damaged and in need of repair. With the Florida climate being as reliably unreliable as it is, the thought of being trapped on this bridge during a hurricane remains pretty darn terrifying.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (Northern Ireland)
This 66-foot-long bridge might not seem like much, but few people make it there and back. (Don’t worry, they don’t fall in – they just can’t stomach the journey twice and so they opt for a ferry on the way back!)
The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge sits 30 meters above the rugged rocks and choppy waters. It’s become a bit of a tourist attraction and you actually have to pay to cross. If you don’t have a stomach of steel, it’s probably best to get a one-way ticket… just in case!
Deception Pass Bridge (Washington)
Deception Pass Bridge looks pretty daunting from afar, let alone close up. The twin bridges are 180 feet above the water and connect Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island. In the 1900s, locals traveled across the water using a ferry. They took their horse-and-buggy on board and, when they wanted to return, would bang a saw with a drumstick until the ferry arrived.
Nowadays, people cross using the bridge although, to be honest, we would much rather try our luck with a ferry. The bridge is a scenic wonder, but does it look all that sturdy? Not to us!
The Bridge of Immortals (China)
The Bridge of Immortals connects the Huangshan mountain ranges in the southern Anhui province of Eastern China. The vertigo-inducing bridge is terrifying to cross, but the views are definitely rewarding (and the photographs are pretty special, too).
There is another bridge on the other side of the mountain made up of just a few planks. The drop below is pretty dramatic and if you decide to cross, we only have one piece of advice to offer you crazy adventurers: don’t look down!
Hanging Bridge of Ghasa (Nepal)
This breathtaking bridge may look terrifying, but it also happens to be one of the main sources of transportation for the locals in the village of Ghasa, Nepal. It serves an important purpose: the bridge was built to ferry people and cattle, with shepherds and animals moving freely across it daily.
The bridge is extremely narrow and it stretches high above a river valley. It’s also susceptible to wind gusts, which occur regularly in the area. The locals have grown accustomed to the bridge, but many tourists are too afraid to cross it. It may look fragile and unstable, but it also has high railings which make it safer.
Storseisundet Bridge (Norway)
Storseisundet Bridge is one of the most well-known bridges and for good reason. The view from the top is truly spectacular and it is one of the most popular tourist routes in the country. Although the mountain views are incredible, the route is also a little daunting. The bridge is often described as “The road to nowhere” as it seems to stretch into the distance.
If you are a fan of that thrill you get on a roller coaster, crossing this bridge will probably be an amazing experience for you. Let us know how it is, OK?
Keshwa Chaca Bridge (Peru)
While most bridges are made from wood or steel, the Keshwa Chaca Bridge is made from woven grass. If you are worried it won’t support your weight, do not fear. The bridge has lasted for 500 years.
It was the Incas who initially built the bridge and it required a big team. Women braided small thin ropes which the men then used to braid large support cables. The result is this stunning bridge which demonstrates the talents of the Incas and their intriguing construction methods.
Eshima Ohashi Bridge (Japan)
This bridge is giving us major Inception vibes. We’re no architects, but this bridge seems to bend the rules of physics. The bridge is 144 feet high and has a gradient of 6.1%. The bridge took seven years to build and is the largest rigid-frame bridge in Japan and the third-largest in the world.
To be honest, we’d rather swim across than take our chances driving on this monstrosity. How cars make it down such a steep slope is proof that physics is actually magic.
Trift Bridge (Switzerland)
Yes, this bridge is absolutely stunning but no, we won’t be crossing. The bridge is suspended 558 ft. over the glaciers of Switzerland and 328 ft. above sea level. You can access the bridge from the town of Gadmen in the Swiss Alps.
The bridge has been around since 2004 but has faced difficulties over the years thanks to the windy conditions of Switzerland. In 2009, the bridge was made safer with the addition of stabilizing cables. We take our hats off to anyone who dares cross.
Longjiang Suspension Bridge (China)
The Longiang Suspension Bridge, more commonly known as the Long River Bridge, can be found on the outskirts of Baoshan, Yunnan, China. It connects the cities of Baoshan and Tengchong. The Long River Bridge is the tallest and highest suspension bridge in the whole of Asia. It took 5 years to construct and was completed in 2016.
The bridge stretches for 3,900 feet in total and suspends 920 feet above the river. Scared of heights? You’ll have to take the 8.4-mile detour from Baishan to Tengchong instead.
U Bein Bridge (Myanmar)
This bridge has the appearance of a bridge undergoing renovation but it actually looks like this all year round. The bridge crosses the Taungthaman Lake in Myanmar and is 1.2 km long.
Constructed in 1850, U Bein Bridge is believed to be the oldest teakwood bridge in the world. It is now a popular tourist attraction and makes for some beautiful photos at sunset. Locals stand along the bridge selling souvenirs and you can cross the entire bridge on foot.
Living Root Bridges (Meghalaya)
These bridges happen to be one of the biggest attractions in Meghalaya and they have been growing for almost two centuries. The Khan clan created them from rubber tree roots and nourished the roots until they spanned across the opposite ends of the river banks. Over time, the roots became entwined with each other, which made them strong enough to support a lot of weight (they can hold the weight of over 50 people at a time!)
These bridges are actually living; they can take ten to fifteen years to reach the perfect shape and they are over 100 feet long! When the roots are fully grown, they can last up to 500 years.
Marienbruecke (Germany)
The Marienbruecke Bridge was a birthday present from Crown Prince Maximilian II to his friend, Marie. The two liked to climb mountains together and the bridge gave them both a breathtaking view of the castle and the gorge below.
The bridge has recently been restored, but the original structure is still used. The bridge may be high but it is quite short and we reckon we could stomach it just to enjoy the view of the castle.
Slaters’ Bridge (England)
This bridge is located in the Lake District (also known as Lakeland), England’s most popular and largest national park. Each year, more than 15 million people come to explore the largest lakes, forests, and mountains found in this attraction.
The Slater Bridge is two parts and is handmade – it consists of a long slate slab that crosses the River Brathay from Little Langdale Tarn to Elterwater. In 2017, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Royal Gorge Bridge (Colorado)
Just looking at this bridge gives us vertigo. The Royal George Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the whole of the United States. It stands 955 ft. above the Arkansas River and held the title of the World’s tallest bridge from 1929 until 2001.
Now, the bridge is a tourist attraction and is located in the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. This is a 360-acre amusement park where bold visitors can ride a cable car to view the stunning Colorado scenery.
Root Bridges (India)
Whoever built this bridge has done a good job camouflaging it as part of the forest. And that’s because it was not built at all.
The bridge was actually grown for the natural material in the forest. The tangled roots of the Ficus elastica tree were shaped to make nature’s very own bridge. The War-Khasis and the War-Jaintias tribes learned how to make the trees grow their roots in the right direction so they could transform them into these beautiful crossings.
Plank Road in the Sky (China)
China has a reputation for building horrific bridges that scare the life out of tourists. The “Plank Road in the Sky” is a bunch of wooden planks on the edge of a mountain top.
Given that the planks are 7,000 feet above ground level, it is no surprise that you need a harness to cross. Horrifyingly, you need to unclip your harness if you want to pass by another person and then clip back in.
Canopy Walk (Ghana)
Rainforest walks are always made more exciting by a 130 feet high bridge through the treetops. You’ll get the chance to be up close with nature and might see a couple of snakes, birds, and monkeys if you are lucky.
The bridge was constructed by Canadians to bring tourists to the park. The walk consists of seven bridges and they are made from rope and wooden planks. The trek across is scary but they are all equipped with safety netting, so they are safer than they look!
Moses Bridge (Netherlands)
It’s not surprising as to why this bridge is named after the biblical man who parted the Red Sea. The bridge, which is found in the Netherlands, actually divides the water so visitors can pass through.
The bridge is in the middle of a moat and it allows visitors to cross the water so they can visit the 17th century Fort de Rovere, a fortress that was built to protect against French and Spanish invasions.
Vitim River Bridge (Russia)
There aren’t enough ‘wet floor’ signs in the world to fill this slippery bridge. The bridge crosses the Vitim river and is made out of wooden planks which seem to be either rotting or missing.
Winter in Russia is pretty unpleasant, to say the least, and so the bridge is usually very slippery due to ice. Drivers are welcome to cross but it really is best to find another route if you can. Daredevils still head to the bridge to make the journey though.
Puente de Ojuela (Mexico)
This shocking bridge actually used to be used by the mining town below. Vehicles are genuinely used to pass and the thought makes our hearts beat much quicker than usual.
The bridge was completed in 1898 and in 1991 it opened as a tourist attraction. Today, it is used by pedestrians only. Getting stuck halfway across is literally our worst nightmare.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Florida)
The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge is known by locals as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It crosses Tampa Bay and its total length is a whopping 21,877 feet.
In 1980, the original bridge was destroyed after a ship ran into a pier. 35 people were killed but this didn’t stop people from rebuilding the bridge in 1987. It is currently open for public use but is tragically a popular spot for those who wish to take their own life.
Sidu River Bridge (China)
Sidu River Bridge is the highest in the world and we are getting anxious just looking at this picture. The steel bridge was built in 2009 and cost $100 Million to build. It hangs 1,600 feet above the canyon floor and 5,000 feet across the river valley. That is pretty darn high.
The bridge connects two separate parts of the country which were formerly inaccessible due to the mountain ranges. The bridge may be one of the sturdiest ever built but it is still terrifying to cross. Unfortunately, those wishing to visit the separate terrains have no choice.
Iya Kazurabashi Bridge (Japan)
In this picture, no one is boldly strolling down the bridge’s center. Instead, everybody is cautiously gripping to the sides for fear that they will fall off. The bridge was built across the Iya Valley in the 12th century and sits high above the Iya-Ogawa river in Tokushima, Japan. It is built from wooden planks and mountain vines.
Although modern renovations have made this bridge safer, it is still wise to hold on, although to be honest, it is difficult not to from instinct anyway.
Millau Viaduct (France)
The Millau Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world and also holds the title of the largest cable-stayed bridge in Europe. The bridge is 8,000 feet long, 105 feet wide and most impressively, it stands 1,125 above base.
The bridge crosses the Gorge Valley of Southern France and took three years to build. Side screens had to be built to reduce the impact of the wind because the bridge stands so tall.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (Louisiana)
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is one of the longest and most horrifying bridges in the world. It may sit just 16 feet above the water but the waters below are choppy and dangerous.
The longer of the two bridges is 23.83 miles long and has held the record as the longest bridge over water in the world since 1969. Since the bridge was built, communities living on the North Shore have better access to New Orleans as the bridge only takes 50 minutes to cross.
Capilano Suspension Bridge (Canada)
Capilano Suspension Bridge is a famous bridge in Vancouver which takes you across the treetops. It is 230 feet high and 430 feet long. Each year, 800,000 visitors head to the Capilano river to cross the bridge and immerse themselves in the rainforest.
The bridge was built in 1889 by George Grab Mackay and renovated in the 1950s. Since being renovated, the bridge has appeared in many TV shows including MacGyver, Sliders, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, and Psych.
Suspension Glass Bridge (China)
The infamous suspension glass bridge is one of the most horrifying designs on this list. It is located in the Shiniuzhai National Geological Park of China and stretches 1,410 feet between two mountains.
Thousands of visitors flock to the bridge each year to take photos of the spectacular scenery. Peering through the glass bottom makes for some killer photo ops but if you are scared of heights, you might want to make sure you have a friend with you to hold your hand.
Mackinac Bridge (Michigan)
The Mackinac Bridge is commonly known as “Big Mac”. It connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan and spans 26,372 feet.
Built-in 1956, the bridge is now a major tourist attraction. It is constructed well and is safe to cross but when winds are strong, it’s best not to cross. Cars have been known to fly off when winds are particularly strong. Luckily, there is a ferry service too if you would rather not take your chances on this hazardous bridge.
Monkey Bridges (Vietnam)
The monkey bridges in Vietnam are about as far from the Golden Gate Bridge as you can get. The bridge in this photo crosses over the Mekong Delta and it gets its name from the animal-like movement people do as they cross.
This monkey bridge was made from a single bamboo log. The locals use these bridges all the time although they can be dangerous for those who are not used to using them. Locals, however, are highly accustomed to this Vietnamese tradition and are often spotted carrying 50kg across these surprisingly sturdy monkey bridges.
Kawarau Bridge (New Zealand)
Kawarau Bridge is a popular tourist attraction located near Queenstown. These days, it is used mostly for tourism rather than for convenience. People travel to the bridge to bungee jump. It is mostly used as a bridge by the hikers doing the famous Queenstown Trail. Walkers, bikers, and runners can be seen crossing over at all hours of the day.
To be honest, the only way we could get across the bridge is by running because if we stopped to look down, it would be game over.
Rakotzbrücke Devil’s Bridge (Germany)
If the name didn’t give it away, this bridge is pretty frightening to cross. It is designed to be built in a steep arch so that when it reflects in the water, a full circle is formed. The bridge is so-called because it is believed that only Satan himself could create a bridge of this kind.
Even if you don’t fancy crossing, it is worth stopping by just to take a photo of the magical circular structure.
Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Thailand, Laos)
The Mekong river connects six countries in Southeast Asia and you can cross them using what we are reluctant to even call a bridge.
In most cases, the “bridge” is essentially wires which you have to be an expert slackliner to walk across. Below the “bridge” are extremely ferocious rapids and most of us would have to be mad to cross them. For the brave locals who live there, however, the wire bridge is part of their daily life.
