Do you dare to walk across these 16 terrifying bridges?

1. Trift Bridge - Gadmen, Switzerland

The Trift Suspension Bridge – built in 2004 – is the longest and highest pedestrian-friendly suspension bridge in the Alps. No one dared to walk across this bridge, which is over 100 meters high, before it was renovated in 2009. The higher handrails and stabilizing cables now help reduce the swaying caused by the wind.

2. Kuandinsky Bridge - Kuanda, Russia

With no guardrails on either side, a narrow width, and a constant layer of snow on its surface, the Kuandinsky Bridge is incredibly frightening. Built 30 years ago, it has been officially closed to the public due to safety concerns. However, this hasn't stopped some "crazy" people from crossing it, seemingly to test their luck.

3. Glass Suspension Bridge - Shiniuzhai National Geopark, China

This glass bridge stretches over 430 meters across two mountains. Its height of 300 meters is sure to send shivers down your spine as you glance through the glass at the bottom. After opening, the suspended glass bridge had to temporarily close due to a tenfold increase in curious visitors compared to the previously allocated 8,000 visitors per day.

4. Rope Bridge - Iya Valley, Japan

The three vine-covered bridges in the Iya Valley were built approximately 900 years ago. The original versions were constructed from wooden planks spaced about 0.2 meters apart and held together by only two rows of single vines. Later, they were reinforced with more vines and additional rails. For those with a fear of heights, looking down 14 meters below through the gaps between the planks would certainly not be a pleasant experience.

5. Eshima Ohashi Bridge - Matsue and Sakaiminato, Japan

The Eshima Ohashi Bridge is a mile long, connecting the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato. The steep slope at the beginning of the bridge would make any driver a little apprehensive. The highest point of the bridge is 45 meters above the water below; the Eshima Ohashi Bridge was built so high to allow large ships to pass underneath.

6. Aiguille du Midi Bridge - French Alps

Standing on this bridge, one isn't so amazed by the scenery, but rather by the fact that it's suspended nearly 4,000 meters above sea level that truly sends shivers down the spine. The advice is: if you must, never look directly down while on this bridge connecting the two structures of Aiguille du Midi. You'll need to take a cable car from the town of Chamonix, ascending 2,800 meters in 20 minutes to reach the bridge.

7. Plank Bridge - Mount Hua, China

Crossing this bridge truly requires a great deal of courage! This bridge, suspended in mid-air, is actually just a series of wooden planks running along the edge of Mount Hua in China. It's over 2000 meters high, very narrow, and on one side is a sheer cliff – terrifying enough to make even the bravest person break out in a cold sweat! To cross the planks, you need to attach your harness to an iron chain running along the mountain, following the same railway track as you go. The "horrifying" part doesn't stop there: when someone approaches from the opposite direction, one of you must unfasten your harness so the other can cross, then reattach the harness and continue the journey.

8. Hussaini Suspension Bridge - Hunza Valley, Pakistan

The gaps between the wooden planks on this bridge are sparse but still wide enough for your feet to pass through, though you need to be careful not to slip through. Previously, a similar bridge existed next to this one, but it was damaged by monsoon winds around 2010 or 2011; however, it is likely to be rebuilt. Meanwhile, the current Hussaini suspension bridge you are crossing is very weak and could be blown away by the wind at any moment.

9. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge - County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Connecting the island to the mainland of Ballycastle, in addition to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which rises more than 30 meters above the rocks below, there is also a boat to take those too afraid of heights across. The bridge looks very safe and sophisticated, but it once frightened many people because it had only one handrail and was easily swayed by the sea breeze, before becoming a tourist attraction after being renovated.

10. Monkey bridges - Mekong Delta, Vietnam

These bridges are scattered throughout Vietnam, especially in riverine areas. They are built by local people using bamboo in a rudimentary and minimalist way. They are called monkey bridges because crossing them requires speed and skill, like a monkey traversing. Monkey bridges aren't scary in terms of height, but if you don't know how to cross them, you might feel scared due to the wobbly nature and the small, round surface of the wooden planks.

11. Langkawi Sky Bridge - Langkawi, Malaysia

The Langkawi Sky Bridge stretches 125 meters across Mat Cincang mountain. Suspended from a single tower on the mountain, the bridge offers visitors a 360-degree view of Langkawi Island. Additionally, several sections of the bridge feature glass panels allowing you to look straight down at the ground from a height of 100 meters.

12. Titlis Cliff Bridge - Engelberg, Switzerland

Representatives from the Titlis Engelberg resort insist there will be no falls or accidents on the bridge built so safely next to the cliff. Even so, those with weak hearts still feel apprehensive crossing the 100-meter-long bridge, which also hangs 100 meters above the ground.

13. Royal Canyon Bridge - Cañon City, Colorado

Suspended 300 meters above the Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge is essentially a vast net offering panoramic views in all directions – including beneath your feet! As the highest bridge in the United States, thrill-seekers will love walking across the Royal Gorge's 1,292 wooden planks.

14. U Bein Bridge - Amarapura Town, Myanmar

Named after the city mayor who commissioned its construction, the U Bein Bridge is over 1,200 meters long and spans Taung Tha Man Lake in Amarapura town, Myanmar. Hundreds of villagers and monks still walk across this wooden bridge every day. While not particularly frightening, the lack of protective railings means you should avoid getting too close to the edge of the bridge, especially at sunset when many tourists gather to take photos, or during peak tourist seasons.

15. Canopy pedestrian bridge - Kakum National Park, Ghana

Walking across a wooden plank bridge 30 meters above the ground in Ghana, you might find the "mesh walls" on either side offering a panoramic view aren't necessarily frightening. However, the swaying is real, and the vast, awe-inspiring scenery can sometimes be what scares you.

16. Golden Bridge - Da Nang, Vietnam

The second Vietnamese bridge to make this list is the famous bridge in Da Nang, which opened in 2018! The bridge itself isn't scary, but its worldwide popularity for its unique design, precariously perched amidst nature, is what truly attracts anyone planning a visit to Vietnam's most livable city. The Golden Bridge juts out from the Thien Thai Garden in the Ba Na Hills area and is supported by giant pillars shaped like a pair of large hands cupping the bridge. Remarkably, the hands are even intentionally made to look "old," as if they've been there for centuries! The Golden Bridge is located at an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level and is 150 meters long.

Quynh Anh