The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge is opened on Thursday in Portugal, offering adventure-seeking visitors unique views of a surrounding waterfall, gorge and river.
The 516 Arouca bridge gets its name from its length — it’s about 1,693 feet long, or 516 meters — and is located 576 feet above the Paiva River.
According to media, it takes about 10 minutes to walk the entire length of the bridge, which is held up by steel cables and also features a see-through metal grid walkway, allowing guests to really take in all of their surroundings.
Hugo Xavier became one of the first to walk across the.“Oh…here we go!,” the 42-year-old said anxiously as he gathered enough courage to step onto the see-through metal grid pathway of the 516-metre-long (1693-ft) bridge alongside his equally jittery partner and a tour guide. It was extraordinary, a unique experience, an adrenaline rush.”
The bridge opens to everybody over the age of 6, with all visitors being accompanied by guides.
Local officials and residents hope the new bridge which cost about 2.3 million euros ($2.8 million) and took around two years to build, will bring an influx of visitors to the area once travel is widely permitted again especially after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is a breath of fresh air for our land because it will attract more investment, more people,” a tour guide told.
