Bridges

 

If you wish to experience the breathtaking panoramas of the mountainous Ai-Petri region on the southeastern coast of Crimea, you must first brave the wooden bridges that tower over vast ravines.

 

Stomach-jolting: You have to have nerves of steel to risk death or serious injury when you take on one of the world's most dangerous trails - Mount Hua in China. It features stomach-churning drops, vertical ascents, steep staircases and narrow walkways, with only a small chain to cling onto.

One way of getting across the Hunza River in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan is by the rickety Hussaini bridge, which consists of various pieces of wood strapped horizontally.

 

A long way to go: Trift Bridge in Switzerland is the longest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in the Alps at 557 feet in length.

 

The Titlis Cliff Walk in Switzerland hangs 9842 ft above sea level and offers mountainous views - and sweaty palms - for those willing to travel across it.

Travellers' biggest fears were realised last week when a tourist dropped a mug on a glass walkway on the Yuntai Mountain, Henan Province, causing the floor to shatter. The attraction opened in September and has now been closed for repairs.

 

Completed in 2004, the Langkawi Sky Bridge is built on top of the Machinchang mountain in Malaysia and hangs at about 328 ft above the ground. The walkway can accommodate up to 250 people at the same time and swings out over the landscape to give visitors a unique look at the landscape.

 

There are three vine bridges in Shikoku, the smallest of Japans four main islands, which are constructed using slats of wood placed between 7 and 12 inches apart, secured in place with two single vines – not recommended for those who prefer solid ground.

 

Suspended above the massive and foreboding ravines in Daedunsan Provincial Park in South Korea, the visitor bridges and ladder-like walkways make for an adreneline-filled experience.

 

While it may look like one of the more secure bridges in the collection, the Millau Viaduct in France is so high it is often above the clouds. In fact at its highest point, the bridge is taller than the Eiffel Tower.

 

Hold on tight: Visitors can journey through the jagged needle-like pinnacles of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park via wooden bridges with little support each side.

 

You won't want to stumble while walking across the Devil's Bridge in Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Area outside Sedona, Arizona, which has sheer drops either side of its arched structure.

 

If you want to experience the rocky St. Gervasio gorges in Piedmont, Italy, one way is to go through it - via the tiny Tibetan bridge.

Don't look down: The Royal Gorge Suspension bridge in Colorado is Americas highest suspension bridge at 1,053 feet above ground.

 

Spanning nearly a miles across the Taungthaman Lake in Myanmar, the U-Bein Bridge is a rickety platform made of teakwood. The bridge is held together on both sides with 1,086 pillars that come up out of the water, and it looks like it could do with some extra support in places.

 

If you are heavy footed, you may wish to find an alternative way across the rivers in Vietnam. Monkey bridges include one giant log for your feet, and another smaller one for your hands.

 

Originally the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland only had one handrail. Thankfully today there are more robust safety features in place, but it is still a scary experience for those who gaze down on the rocks below.

 

The Qeswachaka Bridge in Peru is an Inca rope bridge placed over canyons, gorges and rivers and is a handwoven bridge made out of a local grass called Qoya. Every year local villagers make the bridge, before it deteriorates through wear and tear.

 

This viewing platform at the Aiguille Du Midi mountain in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc more than earns its place on the list with its terrifying 9,200ft drop.

 
Have you traveled across any of these bridges?  If not, would you travel across any of them?