The Top 10 Terrifying Rope Bridges Around the World

5 min read

Every step you take makes these old, worn-out planks creak. Is this bridge about to give out with you suspended 100 m (330 ft) above a raging river? Hang in there, help is on its way. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t look down. As dangerous as they might be, people around the globe rely on these scary passways every day to get them where they need to be. You’re about to see a countdown of the absolute most bone-chilling bridges you could come across. And some look like they should be in a museum, not part of someone’s daily routine. Would you dare to cross this 150-year-old bridge? Why would you need to walk like a monkey to cross this bridge? And what should you do when the strong winds make a bridge sway?

Number 10. Living Root Bridges, India

This is a living, breathing piece of bioengineering. It’s in an area where rushing waters separate villagers. To build one just like it, locals plant rubber trees on one side of the river. After more than 10 years of growth, the trees are mature enough to sprout secondary roots. The villagers then use bamboo scaffolding to help guide the roots across the river and complete the bridge.
This method has been passed on through generations, and one of the more popular bridges among tourists is about 150 years old.

Number 9. Via Ferrata Rope Bridge, Colorado

You’ll be defying death by hanging 61 m (200 ft) above the ground with nothing but 10 cm (4 in) of rope under you. It’s part of a pathway that scales around Colorado’s historical Gold Mountain.
Luckily for any visitors the tour includes climbing gear and safety briefings.

Number 8. Ai-Petri Bridge, Ukraine

If mystery is your thing, this might be right up your alley. This bridge is built with wooden slats with cables. It elevates over a canyon that’s 1,280 m (4,200 ft) deep. And just in case that’s not terrifying enough, the 161 km/h (100 mph) winds make the cables shake and even blow them off, while the heavy fog would have you guessing if the next slat is missing. If you’re planning to visit Ai-Petri, make sure you go during the spring, summer or fall. it’s not uncommon for local authorities to shut down the bridge in the winter.

Number 7. Arenal Hanging Bridges, Costa Rica

There are 15 bridges that make up the Arenal Hanging Bridges. They’re stretched across a beautiful rainforest at 45 m (148 ft) above the ground. They’re right next to a volcano. Oh, and while you cross them, hold on tight to those ropes. These bridges sway a lot, and it’s a long way down if you fall.

Number 6. Monkey Bridges, Vietnam

Named after the stooped monkey-like posture needed to maintain your balance while crossing them, the monkey bridges are narrow, shaky and no two are alike. That’s because the logs you’re walking on can range anywhere from 30 cm (12 in) to 80 cm (31 in) in length. And they only have simple bamboo railings to hold onto. Even weighed down with supplies, the locals have mastered the crossing technique. Let’s hope the bamboo isn’t too worn out when it’s your turn.

Number 5. Inca Rope Bridge, Peru

This is not only a useful pathway, but also a living tradition. Located high in the Peruvian Andes, it hangs over the Apurimac River and is one of the oldest rope bridge locations in the world.
We say locations because even though its origins can be traced back to the days of the Inca Empire, each year the region’s Indigenous communities cut down the 36 m (120 ft) bridge and rebuild it from scratch.

Number 4. Hanging Bridge of Ghasa, Nepal

Crossing this one, you’d be 135 m (443 ft) above the ground. And it’s not a short trip, just in case you’re afraid of heights. Or windy conditions. It’s 334 m (1,128 ft) long, which makes every step feel unstable. You’d be sharing the journey with donkeys, cows and goats. That’s right. The bridge was originally built to reduce congestion from animals on the roads. It’s now a vital route for farmers using it to cross the Himalayas.

Number 3. The Canopy Walk, Ghana

This magnificent tourist attraction is located in Kakum National Park. The walkway is so narrow that you’ll have to cross it by yourself. Along the way, you might come across monkeys and birds, but you better not get distracted or you’ll be falling 49 m (160 ft).

Number 2. Trift Suspension Bridge, Switzerland

The runner-up for the world’s most terrifying rope bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. It extends 171 m (560 ft) across the Swiss Alps, and it’s situated in a region known for its natural disasters. In 2019, a woman died on a hiking trail immediately following her crossing of the Trift when a landslide swept her away.

Number 1. The Hussaini Hanging Bridge, Northern Pakistan

This bridge takes first place because it’s incredibly dangerous. It only has a few planks to cross it. Taking this walkway saves villagers from trekking two hours through the mountainous terrain. But it’s in poor shape and can be stomach-churning for the uninitiated. Phew. That was a close call, but you made it to the other side. Maybe you should stick to bridges that you can cross with a vehicle. But wait. Those can collapse too.