THE world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge has been completed in Portugal, and it opened to the public May 3.

The record-breaking bridge measures 516 meters long and is suspended 175 meters above a river. It’s in the town of Arouca — about an hour south of Porto — in the UNESCO-recognized Arouca Geopark, an area famous for its nature tourism and outdoor activities.

“The new bridge, under construction since May 2018, is inspired by the Inca bridges that spanned the Andes mountain valleys,” a release says. “Last year, the municipality of Arouca described the bridge as ‘frighteningly beautiful.’”

The bridge connects the banks of the Paiva River, a popular destination for kayaking and whitewater rafting. It’s also near the Paiva Walkways, a wooden pathway that winds through 8 kilometers of the natural landscape.

The hanging bridge is supported by two V-shaped concrete towers, and reportedly takes about 10 minutes to cross. Its floor and side railings are made of metal grids, providing a largely unobstructed view of the lush mountains and river gorge. It was designed by Portuguese studio Itecons and constructed by a company called Conduril in a process that spanned several years.

Hugo Xavier, the first member of the general public to cross the bridge, described the moment as “extraordinary, a unique experience, an adrenaline rush,” according to The Guardian. “I was a little afraid, but it was so worth it,” he said.

(SD-Agencies)