Portugal Becomes Home to World’s Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

You’re traveling, living in Portugal, and foraging for a level-one adventure. A trek across the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge might provide the right level of mild excitement, enough stimulation your leisurely-driven adrenal glands crave.

Aside from the views, crossing the 516 Arouca Bridge itself is also an exhilarating experience, as the bridge sways slightly in the wind and offers a sense of being suspended high above the ground. For those who are brave enough to look down, the views of the river rushing far below are awe-inspiring. 

The 516 Arouca Bridge is located in Arouca, Portugal, in the Aveiro district and opened in 2021. It spans 516 meters (1,693 feet) across the Paiva River and is suspended 175 meters (574 feet) above the water. It is now recognized as the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge.

The Views

The views from the bridge are stunning, as the bridge is suspended high above a river gorge and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Visitors who cross the bridge can enjoy panoramic views of the Paiva River, the surrounding mountains, and the lush forests and vegetation of the region.

In particular, the 516 offers a unique perspective on the Paiva Walkways, a popular hiking trail that winds through the valley below. From the bridge, visitors can see the trail and the river winding through the landscape, providing a bird’s-eye view of this beautiful natural area.

In addition to offering stunning views, the bridge is located near two geosites, Garganta do Paiva and Cascata das Aguieiras, of the UNESCO Arouca Geopark territory.

The Garganta do Paiva, a narrow gorge formed by the erosion of the river over millions of years, is home to various unique rock formations and geological features. Visitors can explore the area on foot along the Paiva Walkways, which wind through the gorge. 

Other nearby geosites include the Arouca Geopark, which is home to a variety of geological formations and fossils, as well as the Castro de Roques. This archaeological site offers insights into the history and culture of the region.

The Design and Build

The bridge was designed by the Portuguese research institution Itecons and constructed by Conduril Engenharia, S.A., at the cost of approximately €2.3 million.

Itecons, the Institute of Research and Technological Development for Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability, is a research and development institution based in Coimbra, Portugal. The organization has expertise in various fields, including construction materials, building physics, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. 

Construction began in 2018 and was completed in 2021, with the bridge officially opening to the public in May of that year. Because two V-shaped concrete towers support the steel structure, workers had to install large steel cables and anchorages, build the bridge deck and install safety features, a significant undertaking. The bridge’s location in a natural park also required special attention to environmental preservation and safety measures.

The bridge is now a major tourist attraction and a source of pride for the local community.

Both bridges offer incredible views and are impressive feats of engineering.

The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, located in Zermatt, Switzerland, held the title of the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge before the 516 Arouca Bridge was built. It spans 494 meters (1,621 feet) and is suspended 85 meters (279 feet) above the ground. It was opened in 2017 and held the record for almost four years.

The 516 Arouca Bridge and the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge are impressive pedestrian suspension bridges offering spectacular views that have set records for being the longest of their kind.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the official 516 Arouca website.