The Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge in the World Opens at Zermatt

After a number of ever higher pedestrian suspension bridges and viewing platforms have opened in the Alps over recent years to test the nerves of visitors, a new suspension bridge for walkers near Zermatt will set a new record when it opens tomorrow – the longest in the world.

The bridge, located near Randa and creating a connection between Grächen and Zermatt along the Europaweg hiking route is an incredible 494m long but only 65cm (two feet) wide.  At its highest point is it is 85 metres above ground and its grated base allows walkers to look down in to the depths below.

The swissrope / Lauber Seilbahnen AG, Frutigen, erected the hikers’ suspension bridge near Randa in only 10 weeks. swissrope has already built countless suspension bridges in Switzerland and abroad including the existing suspension bridge near Furi above Zermatt.

The bridge, set to open tomorrow, Saturday, 29 July, at 11 am, will be a crucial link in the two day Europaweg which offers views of the Matterhorn, Weisshorn and the Bernese Alps including the highest mountains in Switzerland (Dom 4,545 m) to walkers.

The Europaweg route from Grächen to Zermatt runs between 1,600 m and 2,200 m above sea level and high above the deepest cut valley in Switzerland.

Anyone setting off along the Europaweg from Grächen will always have the most famous mountain in Switzerland, the Matterhorn, before them. And those hiking towards Grächen always see the Bernese Alps.

The bridge is about 2 hours walk from Zermatt  and a resort spokesperson said it is recommended for, “…hikers with no fear of heights.”

Photographer© Europaweg / Zermatt