Great news for anyone looking for a change of scenery once it’s safe to travel again: The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge has been completed in Portugal, and it’s opening to the public on Monday.
The record-breaking bridge measures 516 meters (or roughly 1,692 feet) long and is suspended 175 meters (574 feet) above a river. It’s in the town of Arouca – about an hour south of Porto – in the UNESCO-recognized Arouca Geopark, an area famous for its nature tourism and outdoor activities.
It takes about 10 minutes to cross if you’re taking in the panoramic views of the waterfall, the gorge and the fast-moving river seen through the open grid beneath your feet – four if you’re saying your prayers and making a dash for the end of it. Designed by Portuguese studio Itecons, it took three years to build, with construction completed in July 2020.
It’s in the eastern part of the Geopark, close to Paiva Walkways, Areinho and Vau river beaches, and the villages of Alvarenga, Canelas and Espiunca.