World’s Longest Suspension Footbridge

The newest place to hike in the Alps isn’t a mountain–it’s a suspension bridge. The longest pedestrian bridge of its kind just opened in Switzerland, running 1,621 ft. over a valley between the towns of Zermatt and Grächen. Swissrope designed the structure to be higher (and therefore longer) than its predecessor, which was destroyed by tumbling rocks in a 2010 avalanche.

At its highest point, the bridge soars 279 ft.–some 30 stories–above the ground, which is the deepest valley in the country. Since the floor is made of a metal grate less than 26 in. wide, the experience may not be for everybody. It is, however, three to four hours faster than the path on the ground. Just don’t try it in a storm, Zermatt’s tourism officials warned, citing lightning.