If you have vertigo, you might want to skip this one! Even though getting from place to place is normally a fairly easy task, in some places you might not be so lucky. For many people, getting from A to B means taking on some pretty terrifying bridges, whether they be delicate, badly made, extremely weather-beaten, or just really, really high up. You might want to shut your eyes in places, but just remember – don’t look down.
The Hussaini Hanging Bridge really is a death-defying structure. Found in the mountainous Hunza region in Pakistan, this precarious rope bridge is known as one of the most dangerous bridges in the world. The bridge is badly maintained, which means many of the planks which should hold your feet up are loose or missing. Many tourists test their meddle on the bridge each year and tiptoe along until they reach the other side.
The majestic Langkawi Sky Bridge is located at the end of the Langkawi cable car ride, so if you have vertigo, you’ll be tested twice if you choose to visit! The bridge is 410 feet long and 2,300 feet above sea level. No wonder it offers incredible views over Mount Mat Cinchang, of the Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, and the rainforest. If you’re a Bollywood fan, you might recognize the bridge as it featured in the last scene of Don: The Chase Begins Again.
Even though it was completed in 1922, the Royal Gorge Bridge is still the highest bridge in the United States. Towering at 955 feet, the Royal Gorge Bridge is a great way to take in Colorado. In fact, the bridge is now so popular with tourists it features a rollercoaster, zip line, and sundry.
Ever wondered what it was like to be a monkey or bird in the jungle? If you visit the Kakum Canopy walk, you won’t have to. Raised up at 130 feet in the thick rainforest, the Kakum Capony Walk bridge offers a great chance to see some wildlife. You’ll be sure to get an adrenaline hit as it's made of wooden planks and wire rope. But fear not, should the worst happen, there are safety nets on either side of the bridge.
In Engelberg, Switzerland, you’ll find Europe’s highest suspension bridge, the Titlis Cliff Walk. According to resort representatives, it is impossible to fall off, but you’ll still have to steel yourself before walking across. Any explorer brave enough to take on the Titlis Cliff Walk can take in the amazing panoramic views across the Uri Alps from the open-air walkway.
It might look rickety, but the Hanging Bridge of Ghasa is often used by not only people but also cattle. The bridge is incredibly narrow, and because it is so high up, gusts of wind often cause the bridge to sway. To get their herds across, some shepherds have to use blinders on their animals, so they behave on the precarious crossing.
Tianmen Skywalk is not for the fainthearted! This bridge is 4,700 feet up a mountain. It's so high that sometimes clouds form below it and block out the view. If you visit, you had better be prepared for thrills as the bridge is just 3 feet wide – and the glass beneath is a meager 2.5 inches thick.
Constructed in 1850 out of the remains of the royal palace, the U Bein bridge is believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. The U Bein Bridge stretches 4,000 feet across the Taung Tha Man Lake in Myanmar. Even though there are no guardrails, villagers and monks often use the bridge to get around. It is best to come and visit sunset to take in the vistas over the lake.
There are many handmade monkey bridges spanning streams or gullies in Vietnam. Known as Cau khi in Vietnamese, the bridges can be challenging to cross for those who are not used to them. Often the bridges help connect villages to main roads, but because they are made of uneven logs, they are very precarious.
Located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge links the mainland to the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede. The island is home to a fisherman’s cottage, which was granted listed historical status. The bridge itself is extremely old and was first built by a salmon fisherman over 350 years ago. Since becoming a popular tourist attraction, a second handrail was added to give visitors a little more security crossing the 100 feet high bridge.