25 Of The Scariest Bridges In The World
Not only is China’s Duge Bridge a gorgeous piece of architecture, it’s also a true marvel of engineering. Oh, and it’s terrifying. With its driving surface suspended 1,854 feet above the ground, this is the highest bridge in the world as of 2021. Duge Bridge has held that title since 2016 and its dimensions mean that when you are crossing it, you are essentially driving your car atop a skyscraper taller than One World Trade Center for .83 miles. The four-lane bridge has reduced the travel time between the cities of Xuanwei and Liupanshui from four hours to one hour.
Take the narrow, simple suspension design of the Kakum Canopy Walk and move it to the top of the Swiss Alps and you’ve got the Titlis Cliff Walk. The view from this bridge is almost enough to make you forget that you’re hanging off the side of a mountain … almost. Its precarious walkway is only 3 feet wide and the 120-mph wind gusts will have you gripping the steel rails until your knuckles are white. Did we mention that this bridge is approximately 10,000 feet above sea level? That makes it the highest suspension bridge in Europe.
Not to be outdone by its fellow North American nations, Mexico has its own fear-inducing bridge to entice adventurers. The Ojuela Bridge, which was first built in 1898 and had to be a truly harrowing experience in those days, spans nearly 900 feet across and more than 300 feet in the air. It was originally built for miners but is now a tourist attraction that’s a must-visit place for anyone interested in Mexican and Old West history, as it connects a ghost town to an abandoned mine, making for a truly spooky experience.
If you find yourself trekking through Nepal and come across this bridge, don’t be surprised if you see Buddhist prayer flags attached to the handrails. That may only add to its scenic nature but is also a sobering reminder of how terrifying this crossing can be. Ghasa’s Hanging Bridge is used by the residents of that small village, who often ferry their cattle across it! It’s known to be quite reliable but can reportedly feel quite flimsy when a strong wind gust comes through the valley it crosses.
Nestled in the green hills of western Germany, this frightening suspended walkway is unique among the tourist favorites on this list in that it’s free to cross. The Geierlay spans nearly 1,200 feet and sits more than 300 feet above the ground. It’s got all the hallmarks of a spine-tingling bridge: wooden planks, a deceptively simple design and low guard rails. It only opened in 2015 but has the look and style of a structure that has been in use for decades.
For anyone who wants to pretend they are Indiana Jones crossing a treacherous rope bridge that seems like it may give way at any moment, Pakistan’s Hussaini Hanging Bridge is a great choice. At about 100 feet above Borith Lake, its height is nothing compared to others on this list but it’s easily one of the most dangerous. As you can see, the wooden slats are spaced wide enough for a leg to slip through and your entire body could easily fit through the ropes guarding the sides.
It’s no wonder this has routinely been ranked among the world’s most dangerous bridges.
Situated in Malaysia’s tourist destination of Poring, this daring bridge gives visitors a literal bird’s-eye view of a beautiful rainforest. The Poring Canopy Walkway is more than 500 feet long and about 130 feet above the jungle floor. The path is suspended with ropes, giving it a natural bounce as you walk along, stepping one foot in front of the other because the whole surface is roughly the width of a single board.
Unsurprisingly, this attraction is not recommended for people with heart issues or high blood pressure.
Imagine soaring along Norway’s Atlantic Highway in a speedy rental car, enjoying the untarnished scenery around you, when you see this bridge coming up in a hurry. The Storseisundet Bridge isn’t actually all that frightening to drive but the optical illusion it presents may get your heart rate up. This 850-foot bridge makes it look like it will simply end and dump your car directly into the sea once you reach its modest peak.
First opened in 1905, Spain’s El Caminito del Rey — aka “The King’s Little Path” — has killed foolish adventurers in the past. From 1999-2000, five people died in falls at this attraction, leading to its closure for more than a decade. The walkway, which is built into a rock wall more than 300 feet above the ground below, was rebuilt and reopened in 2015, complete with a glass floor to add to the insanity.
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