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Switzerland's most beautiful suspension bridges

Diana Skok Corridori

Contributor

The suspension bridges found in Switzerland are some of the most dramatic in the world as the Swiss put their engineering skills to use to create sophisticated overpasses that link snow-capped mountains while travelling over deep valleys. Many require a hike to reach, some uphill the entire way, so lace up your hiking boots, grab some water and get ready to experience a little bit of heaven on earth.

TITLIS CLIFF WALK

Stroll among the clouds on the Titlis Cliff Walk. This pedestrian bridge was opened in 2012 and was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the funicular railway that joined the towns of Gerschnialp and Engelberg and is the highest elevation bridge in Europe at 3,041 metres above sea level and 500 metres above the ground. It is long and super narrow: only one metre wide! But it is also sturdy and can withstand winds that reach 190 km/hour. All of this engineering is impressive, but even more impressive are the beautiful panoramas of snow-capped mountains cutting into the azure blue sky.

BELALP-RIEDERLAP

Getting to this footbridge is a fantastic journey. Take the cable car from the small town of Blatten to Belalp and hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jungfrau-Aletsch region. You will come upon the bridge that is suspended 80 metres above the Massa Gorge. Then traverse the gorge on the 124 metre bridge flanked by rocky cliffs. Views and height at every angle are guaranteed. At the other side of the bridge enjoy the lake setting and the fresh mountain air.

THE CHARLES KUONEN SUSPENSION BRIDGE

This architectural wonder is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world at almost 500 metres - and took only 10 weeks to construct. Nature lovers will appreciate gliding across this bridge while hanging in the middle of the Alps with 360-degree views making for a truly zen moment. Just don’t look down if you are afraid of heights, the slats on the walkway give a clear view of straight down.

Getting to this bridge is relatively easy from Zermatt. Take the train to the town Randa and follow the signs – straight uphill for about an hour and a half. Hiking boots, snacks and water are definitely recommended. You might consider lunch as well, because once you cross the bridge, there are picnic tables on the other side, providing the ideal resting and lunching spot with picture-perfect views.

CARASC TIBETAN BRIDGE

This Tibetan bridge is snuggled beautifully in the lush wooded hills of the Ticino Canton of Switzerland and is suspended 130 metres above the ground. To get to this bridge, you can either take the cableway up to the hilltown of Curzutt and walk from there or hike directly from Monte Carasso. The twisting tree covered trails provide lots of shade during the summer months and the walk is full of small grottos and crystal streams. Stop along the way to visit the Romanesque church of San Bernardo built in the 11th century and make sure to sample some of the local wine.

SALBIT SUSPENSION BRIDGE - Salbitbrücke

Thrill-seekers will love the rugged Salbit bridge – it connects the Salbit hut to Voral hut and requires about a five-hour walk to get there. It should be visited by more experienced hikers. In fact, it is recommended to go hiking there with a safety belt. Also, given the many hours needed to arrive, it is advisable to make reservations to stay at one of these two huts.

Framed by sheer granite cliffs, a walk along this craggy bridge while crossing the steep canyon of the Salbitschijen mountain is sure to make even the most seasoned adventurers pause.

TRIFT BRIDGE

Views of snow-capped mountains, lakes and glaciers make the two-hour hike to this bridge worth the effort. But the trip here does not just include hiking, to start your walk, take the Trift Aerial cable car first.

This bridge hovers 100 metres over what looks like an emerald green lake, but is in fact, a melted glacier. Because the glacier melted, the Trift Hut was no longer accessible, so this suspension bridge was built to connect hikers to this Swiss Alpine Club hut. Huts are accommodations located throughout Switzerland and are usually only accessible by foot. They are structures that offer meals and a place to sleep. Some are owned by the SAC while others are privately owned and some are even managed by volunteers – true mountain lovers. Thanks to the Trift Bridge, passionate hikers are still able to visit the Trift hut.

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