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Switzerland opens world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge
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Constructed with steel, the bridge acts to connect Zermatt with the nearby Grächen, becoming part of a popular two-day hiking route between the two towns in southern Switzerland. (www.zermatt.ch/File)
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fter 10 weeks of construction, Switzerland finally opened what local authorities have been calling the "world’s longest suspension bridge."
Named Europabrücke, or the Europe Bridge, this narrow pedestrian bridge hovers over the Grabengufer ravine, near Zermatt.
Hanging 278 feet (84.73 meters) in the air, you might want to hold someone’s hand for a little extra courage -- but that won’t be possible. Only measuring 25.6 inches (65 centimeters) wide, the bridge is only large enough to allow for a single file line along its 1,620 feet length from end to end.
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While Switzerland now holds the title of owning the world’s longest bridge, Guinness has not yet recognized Europabrücke as such at this time. The current recognized record holder is the Kokonoe Yume Bride in Japan, which measures 1,279 feet in length.
Constructed with steel, the bridge acts to connect Zermatt with the nearby Grächen, becoming part of a popular two-day hiking route between the two towns in southern Switzerland. This hiking route, known as the Europaweg trail, brings travelers through some of the highest and most impressive peaks in Switzerland, the highlight of this adventurous trail being the Matterhorn.
According to the BBC, this new bridge was constructed to replace an older one that had been damaged by rock falls. Local tourist authority warns that the high bridge is “for hikers with no fear of heights”, whilst boasting spectacular views of the Matterhorn mountain. (tha/kes)
