One slip can change your life or end it. Perhaps it is the adrenaline rush of being vulnerable that makes crossing slippery, swinging bridges a popular adventure. It is certainly not a walk in the park – rotten wooden planks, rain, sudden changes in temperature, strong winds and sometimes no trailing put your life at risk.
This may scare many people away, but the gorgeous views and the proud feeling of accomplishment after completing the challenge prevail. Bewildering and primitive bridges, and the uncertainly of how far below you lies the forest floor can turn your trip into the ultimate adventure experience.
Scary passages come in all shapes, sizes, and heights. The element of fear sometimes comes from a glass floor, wailing winds or no safety railing. Some bridges on the list are very short but people still won’t go and prefer to take a boat.
Fear of crossing bridges is also known as gephyrophobia. But the people who have it are not the only ones who will not dare to step foot on the following passages, some of which will make you wonder why they were even built.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, China
This is the world’s longest and highest glass bridge, according to China Highlights. It opened to the public on Aug. 20, 2016, offering panoramic views of the stunning Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon — that is if you have the courage to step on it. The bridge is 1,410 feet long, 20 feet wide, and is 984 feet above sea level – perfect for bungee jumping adventures.
Mount Titlis, Switzerland
Set alongside the tallest mountain in the Swiss Alps — Mount Titlis, this incredible bridge is a whopping 1,640 feet up from the ground below. Said to be the highest suspension bridge in all of Europe, the views are absolutely stunning, but crossing it is frightening to say the least. “To cross the bridge, you’ll need nerves as strong as the steel cables from which it hangs,” reads the website.
Kuandinsky Bridge of Kuanda, Russia
This may very well be the most dangerous bridge on the planet, especially if you’re driving across it in the winter when it’s very slippery. It’s barely wider than a regular car and there is no fence or any such thing to keep you from falling into the frozen water. The bridge stretches 1,870 feet. It was built as a railway bridge but was never used, and is officially closed (but that doesn’t stop some thrill-seekers).
Vitim River Bridge, Russia
Few people have crossed the bridge. They even set up their own page on Facebook describing the community to be “for any survivors who have crossed the world's most dangerous bridge ... the Vitim River road bridge, in extreme Siberia.” The old train bridge is covered in ice most of the time. It’s also not very wide – just about 6 feet – and it has no fence or anything to which to hold on.
Puente de Ojuela, Mexico
You have to see this 19th century suspension bridge to believe it actually exists. Walking over the squeaky wood floor, which is just about 2 feet wide, can be frightening, and the fact that you’re headed to a ghost town at the end of it doesn’t help shake off the scary feeling. The bridge is 1,043 feet long, set about 360 feet above a valley.
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