Go to Portugal to test your courage on the longest suspension bridge in the world

Hoping to attract tourists to revive the economy of an area ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge has been completed in northern Portugal. Portugal.
Hoping to attract tourists to revive the economy of an area ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge has been completed in northern Portugal. Portugal.

Officially inaugurated on May 2, this bridge is really not for the faint of heart. This special structure is made up of metal grids, hanging precariously at a height of 175m overlooking the fast-flowing Paiva River. Nestled among the rocky mountains covered with green trees and yellow flowers inside the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Arouca Geopark, the Arouca Bridge is 516m long. To cross this bridge, on average, each person takes about 10 minutes. The bridge is not intended for children under the age of six. Not until today’s inauguration ceremony, two days ago, people from the nearby town of Arouca were allowed to walk across this special suspension bridge. As the first person to have the courage to cross the longest suspension bridge in the world, Hugo Xavier shared: “I was a bit scared, but it was really worth it. Truly extraordinary, so unique.” Margarida Belem, the head of the Arouca region, said that the opening of the bridge after two years of construction would help the region resume tourism activities. “This bridge is a major attraction of this region,” said Margarida Belem. Meanwhile, Mr. Emanuel, a local tour guide, expects that: “The bridge is a breath of fresh air for our land because it will attract more investment, more people.” because the population in the region is aging rapidly as many young people move to big cities. “It will give a new impetus to Arouca,” said Emanuel. When fully operational from May 3, the 516m Arouca suspension bridge will break the 2017 record for the longest pedestrian suspension bridge recorded for the Charles Kuonen suspension bridge in Randa, in the mountains. Swiss Alps.