This new destination isn't for the faint of heart.
On Monday, the world's largest pedestrian suspension bridge will open in Portugal and will offer 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 516 meters — and is
located 176 meters above the Paiva River.
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.
Ahead of the official inauguration ceremony on Sunday, local Arouca
residents got a chance to cross the bridge on Thursday.
"I was a little afraid, but it was so worth it," said Hugo
Xavier, one of the first to walk across the bridge. "It was extraordinary,
a unique experience, an adrenaline rush."
The bridge will be open to everybody over the age of 6 and guides will
accompany all visitors.
Local officials and residents hope the new bridge will bring an influx
of visitors to the area as soon as travel is widely permitted
again.
"It is a breath of fresh air for our land because it will attract
more investment, more people," a tour guide told Reuters.
The previous record-holder for the world's longest pedestrian suspension
bridge is Switzerland's Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge. Opening in 2017, the 495-meter-long
bridge offers breathtaking views of the Alps.
Meanwhile, the United States' longest pedestrian suspension bridge is
located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It comes in at just 208 meters.
From People
