Footbridges you'll love
Bridges are an important part of transportation infrastructure when it comes to rail and automobiles, but there’s also something magical about crossing a bridge on foot. From major traffic bridges to humble rope bridges, the world is full of structures that can be walked across. Here are some of the most amazing bridges that can all be crossed without the need for a car, train or bike.
516 Arouca, Portugal
Opened on 30 April this year, Portugal’s Arouca Geopark is home to what is being billed as the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. At a staggering length of 1,693 feet (or 516m, as the name suggests), the bridge can take a full 10 minutes to walk across. It spans between the Aguieiras Waterfall and Paiva Gorge over the River Paiva and is supported by two enormous V-shaped towers that hold the bridge’s unbelievably long steel cables.
Golden Skybridge, British Columbia, Canada
Golden Skybridge is actually two suspension bridges, connecting trails in Columbia and Rocky mountain ranges in British Columbia. Walking over both bridges is an incredible experience with jaw-dropping views of mountain peaks, a 200-foot-tall (61m) waterfall and a mountain river in the deep canyon below. The two bridges sit at a height of 427 and 262 feet (130 and 80m) respectively and together with a woodland footpath form a near two-mile (3km) walking route.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK
Originally built by salmon fishermen in 1755, this rustic rope bridge stretches a mere 66 feet (20m) between the mainland and a very tiny island called Carrick-a-Rede. The first bridge was built so that fishermen didn’t have to make the short boat ride to the cottage and fishery located on the island. The fishery is now closed due to dwindling numbers of fish, but the bridge normally continues to be a popular destination for tourists.
El Caminito Del Rey bridge, Spain
This bridge is part of a cliff walkway widely known as the world’s most dangerous walkway. El Caminito Del Rey, which translates to the king’s little pathway, consists of a death-defying pedestrian path suspended along the inner walls of a massive gorge, with the bridge portion stretching between the two sides of the gorge. The pathway was originally built for powerplant workers in the early 1900s but after significant deterioration it was completely rebuilt, reopening in 2015.
Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, USA
Visitors to New York City can easily get to Brooklyn by car or subway, but it’s much more fun to walk across the famed Brooklyn Bridge, which connects Brooklyn to Manhattan over the East River. The bridge opened in 1883 before car traffic was even a factor, but it’s now open to passenger vehicles, cyclists and, of course, pedestrians. Walking across the bridge is a signature New York experience, offering spectacular views of the city’s skyline.
Webb Bridge, Melbourne, Australia
A cycle and pedestrian bridge that crosses Melbourne’s Yarra River, the sculptural Webb Bridge is a true work of art. Designed by artist Robert Owen and architects Denton Corker Marshall, the bridge utilizes remaining sections of the old Webb Dock Rail Bridge, with substantial modern flourishes. The Webb is immediately recognizable through its hoop design, which is meant to resemble fishing traps and the flow of the river below.
Kintaikyo Bridge, Iwakuni, Japan
The gentle wooden arches and stone pillars of the Kintaikyo Bridge make this structure the jewel of Iwakuni, a city in the Yamaguchi Prefecture. A footbridge crossing the Nishiki River, Kintaikyo was originally built in 1673, but was destroyed in 1950 by a typhoon. Determined to re-establish the landmark, the townspeople rebuilt an exact replica, which is what stands in the original spot today.
Tower Bridge, London, UK
One of the most famous bridges in the world, Tower Bridge was built over the course of eight years, from 1886 to 1894. The bridge is iconic for the majestic bridge towers at either end of the decks and also for the bascules on the lower level that lift to allow boat traffic to pass along the Thames River below. Pedestrians are able to freely walk along the main deck (which also allows for car traffic), but tickets are required to access the upper deck.
Peace Bridge, Calgary, Canada
Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, Calgary’s tubular Peace Bridge is a marvel of design, with a red and white motif patterned after the colors of the Canadian flag. Accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, the Peace Bridge first opened in 2012 to some controversy but has since become one of Calgary’s most beloved sights. It connects downtown Calgary to the community of Sunnyside, which is known for its restaurants and eclectic shops.
Stari Most Bridge, Mostar, Bosnia
The name of this Bosnian bridge translates to old bridge, an appropriate title given that it was built in the 1550s and designed by an apprentice of the famed Ottoman architect Sinan. The bridge was unfortunately destroyed in the 1990s during the Croat-Bosnian war but was completely rebuilt in 2004 by a coalition spearheaded by UNESCO. Today, the bridge is a highlight of any trip to Mostar, with its round arch connecting the city over the Neretva River.
Las Lajas Sanctuary, Colombia
Las Lajas Sanctuary is actually a beautiful neo-Gothic basilica and not a bridge, but one needs to cross a dramatic little footbridge to get to the building that's nestled into a rocky cliff 150 feet (46m) over a gorge. The church is significant not just because of its architecture and remote location, but also because of the belief that the Virgin Mary has appeared as a vision to people at the site.
Kurilpa Bridge, Brisbane, Australia
The Kurilpa Bridge won the World Transport Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival in 2011, which isn’t a surprise, given its cool modern design. Open to both pedestrian and bicycle traffic, the bridge crosses the Brisbane River and gets its name from its connection to Kurilpa Point in South Brisbane. It’s the world’s largest hybrid tensegrity bridge and is renowned for its strength and LED lighting system.
SkyBridge, Sochi, Russia
Appearing like some kind of giant inspect buzzing through the sky, the SkyBridge in Sochi is the big draw at the SkyPark adventure park. The bridge spans more than 1,400 feet (427m) and can reportedly hold up to 30,000 people at once. If walking across the bridge, which hangs 680 feet (207m) above the Krasnaya Polyana Valley isn’t enough for dare devils, there’s also a platform to bungee jump from in the middle of the bridge.
The Helix, Singapore
Designed to resemble a double helix DNA structure, The Helix Bridge, which opened in 2010, crosses Marina Bay in Singapore. Designed by Australia’s Cox Architecture, the pedestrian bridge is fitted with canopies to provide shade for those walking across, as well as viewing platforms so that pedestrians can stop and take in the famous Singapore skyline. The bridge is particularly striking at night when it’s lit up by a system of LED lights.
Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
One of Europe’s most renowned medieval bridges and the oldest bridge in Prague, the Charles Bridge was finished in 1402 after almost 50 years of construction. It connects Prague Castle with old town Prague, located on the other side of the Vltava River. Walking across the bridge is a treat, not only because it offers picturesque views of the city, but because visitors can look at the 30 statues of saints that line the bridge.
Esplanade Riel, Winnipeg, Canada
A centerpiece of Winnipeg since it opened in 2004, the Esplanade Riel is a dazzling cable-stayed footbridge named after Metis leader Louis Riel. The 187-foot (57m) tower is connected to an impressive splay of cables, with a round pavilion at the bottom with room for a restaurant. The bridge is conveniently located near The Forks, a popular commercial area at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers.
Chengyang Bridge, China
Also known as the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, this ornate covered bridge consists of five tile-roofed kiosks on a long wooden bridge. Originally built in a traditional style without any nails in 1912, today the interior of the bridge is used as a market, where local merchants gather to sell hand-crafted items and regional street food.
Bastei Bridge, Germany
Located in Saxon-Switzerland National Park, about an hour outside of Dresden, this bridge is built around a natural rock foundation called the Bastei. A castle used to stand in the location, but now visitors will find a stone bridge leading to the castle’s ruins. The bridge is 250 feet (76m) in length and offers a fantastic view of the area surrounding the Elbe River, which flows far below.
Aiguille du Midi Bridge, France
Some bridges are noteworthy because of their length, but this short bridge gets points for its extreme height at 12,395 feet (3,777m) above sea level. Located on the towering Aiguille du Midi (Needle of the Mid-day) mountain in the French Alps, visitors to the bridge can catch an outstanding glimpse at the peak of Mont Blanc as they walk from the cable car that goes up the mountain to the visitor center and observation deck.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA
Easily the most recognizable bridge in the United States, the Golden Gate Bridge is San Francisco’s most famous landmark, thanks to its bright orange color and swooping silhouette. The entire span of the bridge measures 1.7 miles (2.7km) and poses a bit of a hike, but pedestrians are welcome on a walkway on the east side of the bridge. It’s not exactly a quiet walk since the bridge also carries six lanes of traffic, but it is a chance to get up close and personal with this American icon.
Khaju Bridge, Isfahan, Iran
This classic piece of Persian architecture was built around 1650, but it was constructed on the foundation of an older bridge, so its roots date back even further than that. An ornate but multi-functional structure, the bridge not only crosses the Zayanderud River, but also acts as a public building and a weir. Commissioned by Shah Abbas II, the center pavilion was designed so that he could sit and gaze at the view, but now the building is used to hold public meetings.
Ponte di Rialto, Venice, Italy
Venice is best known for its romantic canals, which means that in addition to gondolas it has some wonderful bridges. The Rialto Bridge is the Grand Canal’s oldest and one of the most photogenic crossings, with its steep arch and covered ramps. Crossing the narrowest part of the canal, the bridge was built by Antonio de Ponte and is considered a classic piece of Renaissance architecture. Under the covered portion are tiny shops usually selling souvenirs and jewelry.
Konitsa Bridge, Greece
This spindly Balkan bridge looks like it may be too delicate to walk over. While the steep curve and low walls don’t make for the most reassuring pedestrian experience, the bridge is just wide enough for a person or two to walk over it. Built in 1870 to move livestock and carts, the simple bridge arches 66 feet (20m) above the quiet Aoos River in rural Greece.
Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle, UK
An awe-inspiring tilt bridge, the modern Gateshead Millennium Bridge looks like something out of a science fiction movie. Completed in 2001, rather than lifting its deck to accommodate boat traffic on the River Tyne, state-of-the-art hydraulic rams tilt the entire bridge to make room for passing watercraft. It’s often called the Blinking Eye bridge because of its shape and smooth tilting action.
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia
Nicknamed the coathanger by locals, Sydney Harbour Bridge has been an integral part of the Sydney skyline since it opened in 1932. Modeled after the Tyne Bridge in the English city Newcastle, the bridge’s expansive steel arch is anchored by formidable granite-faced pylons. Pedestrians are welcome to walk across the bridge with stairs leading to the walking deck on the eastern side.
Cirkelbroen, Copenhagen, Denmark
The name Cirkelbroen translates to circle bridge, a literal interpretation of artist Olafur Ellaisson’s design for this modern little bridge crossing Copenhagen’s Christianshavn Canal. The deck is made of five overlapping round platforms of different sizes with tall masts jutting out from each, with every mast topped with a circle. The footbridge is only 131 feet (40m) long, but while it’s short in size, it’s designed with the idea that pedestrians will walk over it slowly to savor its impact.
BP Pedestrian Bridge, Chicago, USA
Pedestrian overpasses usually aren’t as beautiful as bridges that go across bodies of water, unless they’re designed by someone like the great Frank Gehry. Chicago’s BP Pedestrian Bridge crosses busy Columbus Drive to connect Millennium Park with Maggie Daley Park, while giving visitors a view of downtown Chicago as they walk. The snaking silver stainless steel-clad walking bridge opened in 2004, the first of Gehry’s bridge designs to ever be completed and put into public use.
Trift Bridge, Switzerland
Located high up in the Alps, it wasn’t long ago that the Swiss Alpine Club’s Trift Hut could be accessed by hiking up a glacier, but glacial melt eventually rendered the hut inaccessible. To remedy this, the Trift Bridge was built in 2004, carrying hikers across the space once filled with glacial ice. The bridge is only 558 feet (170m) long but hangs 328 feet (100m) from the ground below, which creates a bit of a thrill for those crossing it.
Hohenzollern Bridge, Cologne, Germany
Just on its own the Hohenzollern Bridge is a joy to walk across: only accessible to train and foot traffic, the iron truss bridge provides lovely views of the Rhine and leads to the Gothic Cologne Cathedral, the city’s must-see landmark. But the Hohenzollern is also known for its love locks, a collection of tens of thousands of padlocks fixed to the railings. Legend has it that if a couple puts a lock on the bridge and throws the key into the Rhine their love will last forever.
Marienbrücke, Germany
Crossing over the Pöllat Gorge, the Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) offers a breathtaking view of Neuschwanstein Castle. A fairly flimsy wooden footbridge was originally erected in this spot in 1845, but it had to be rebuilt several times before the current design was finally solidified in 1866 and was considered quite modern at the time. The bridge’s girders have since been restored, but still retains its original barristers.
Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver, Canada
At 450 feet (137m), the Capilano Suspension Bridge may not be the longest suspension bridge in the world, but it does have the advantage of sitting in a rugged forest setting that is only 15 minutes from the bustle of downtown Vancouver. The original bridge was built to get the landowner to and from his cabin across the canyon above the Capilano River, but it's since evolved into a strong cable suspension bridge that typically serves as a popular tourist destination.
Elizabeth Chorney, LE
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