Suspended nearly 600 feet above the Paiva River and spanning almost 1,700 feet (or 516 meters) from end to end, 516 Arouca, the new world record holder for longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Portugal, is decidedly not for the faint of heart. The bridge, located in the Arouca Geopark, about an hour from Porto, draws its inspiration from the ancient Incan rope bridges that spanned chasms and cliffs in the Andes. 516 Arouca is 71 feet longer than the previous record holder, the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge in Switzerland.
Whether you love heights or are strictly earthbound, there’s no denying that the new bridge is an engineering marvel. Portuguese studio Itecons designed the structure, while Conduril managed the construction process, which began in 2018. Construction was completed at a cost of 2.3 million euros.
Two large upright, V-shaped concrete towers support the bridge’s cables and the metal grids that form its rail and deck. Those brave enough to walk across the span can see straight down to the bottom of the valley. Up to 30 people at one time can cross the bridge, which sways lightly from side to side. If you walk briskly, it takes about 10 minutes to get from end to end, although it’s unclear if walking faster helps reduce the feeling of sheer terror.
516 Arouca was envisioned as a tourist attraction for the region, which also boasts whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and ecotourism. Locals, however, got first crack at crossing the gravity-defying bridge on foot. Hugo Xavier, was the first across.
“I was a little afraid, but it was so worth it,” Xavier told The Guardian (likely after taking quite a few deep breaths and curling up in the fetal position on the ground for a few minutes). “It was extraordinary, a unique experience, an adrenaline rush.”
Rui Brandao was another local resident to cross the bridge, though he didn’t spend much time looking down.
“I strongly advise you to come even if, like me, you have vertigo,” he said. “I have to say I haven’t felt it at all.”
On the whole, Arouca residents and locals are proud of the bridge and envision it serving as a major attraction to a region that has been battered on multiple fronts the past few years. COVID-19 has brought the tourist industry to a halt for over a year, but before that Arouca, like many rural regions in Spain, Italy and Portugal, had been facing a pronounced population drop as young people fled to larger cities. Mayor Margarida Belem called the new bridge a “fundamental attraction” for the region.
“It is a breath of fresh air for our land because it will attract more investment, more people,” said a local tour guide named Emanuel. “It will bring a new dynamic to Arouca.”
The new bridge is certain to serve as another major tourist draw for an underrated part of Portugal that already has a lot to offer. For those who can muster the courage, the bridge will offer stunning views and some epic selfie opportunities to share with your friends back home who aren’t quite up for hanging out 600 feet above the ground. As Portugal progresses through the end of its coronavirus lockdown, locals are anxious to share their new bridge with the rest of the world. Tickets can be purchased here.