By the MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team
Whether driving or walking, crossing a bridge is usually the most ordinary of things. But in many parts of the world, whether due to astonishing heights, questionable structures, or seemingly endless spans, stepping onto a bridge can require mustering up courage to take the first step. The following bridges are among those famous for their "thrilling" nature—travelers looking to challenge their bravery may want to consider them.
Crossing a bridge isn’t as easy as it seems!
Maryland, USA – William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge
The William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge in Maryland, USA, stretches approximately 7 kilometers, connecting the rural eastern shore of Maryland with cities on the western shore. Drivers dread crossing this bridge in bad weather, especially during typhoons, when not only is the powerful wind intimidating, but visibility drops so low that the opposite shore becomes invisible. It’s the last bridge local drivers want to tackle in severe weather. (Image source / from www.marylandroads.com)
Pakistan – Hussaini Hanging Bridge
Pakistan’s Hussaini Hanging Bridge doesn’t exactly inspire confidence at first glance. This rope-and-plank bridge has gaps between the wooden boards wider than an adult’s foot, and with every step, the bridge sways with the traveler’s movements. Below lies the vast Hunza River, and strong winds often batter the bridge during crossings. Its level of danger has earned it a spot on the must-conquer lists of thrill-seeking travelers. (Image source / from www.thetravelerszone.com)
Hubei Province, China – Sidu River Bridge
China’s grand mountains and mighty rivers are awe-inspiring, and even its bridges must rise to the occasion. The Sidu River Bridge in Badong County, Hubei, is part of the Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway. From afar, it looks like a suspension bridge connecting two mountain peaks, with its deck suspended about 496 meters above the valley floor—towering even over Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower. It also holds the record for the highest bridge deck in the world. Looking down from the bridge, the unfathomable river valley and the mountain winds stir a primal fear of heights, though bungee jumpers and skydivers might feel tempted to take the plunge. (Image source / from www.travelandleisure.com)
Alaska, USA – Captain William Moore Bridge
For travelers living in earthquake zones, earthquakes aren’t anything new—unless it’s an extremely powerful quake, there’s not much to fear. But driving across a bridge that spans an active fault line? That’s a different story. Alaska’s Captain William Moore Bridge crosses over an earthquake fault. The original architects took seismic risks into account, concentrating the bridge’s support on one side to reduce the chance of the deck breaking apart during an earthquake.
Louisiana, USA – Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, USA, hovers just 5 meters above the lake’s surface, and its smooth road gives off a deceptively approachable vibe. But once you pass the 8-mile marker, both the horizon through your windshield and the edge of your rearview mirror stretch into seemingly endless lines. Even flooring the gas pedal won’t dispel the gnawing anxiety of endlessness, and you’ll realize that driving along the 38.6-kilometer Lake Pontchartrain Causeway isn’t nearly as carefree as it seems. (Image source / from it.wikipedia.org)
France – Millau Viaduct
Adventure-loving travelers, don’t assume France only offers scenic beauty and gourmet food—there’s more to satisfy your thirst for exploration. Head to the Millau Viaduct in southern France, where the bridge’s highest point reaches 343 meters, taller than the Eiffel Tower and the highest road bridge structure in the world. Its deck soars 270 meters above the ground—equivalent to a 90-story building if you calculate 3 meters per floor. On a clear day, you can enjoy the picturesque French countryside, but in bad weather, all you’ll see are endless clouds on either side. Though cloud seas sound romantic, driving at 90 stories high with poor visibility is enough to send chills down anyone’s spine. (Image source / from amazingstuff.co.uk)
French Alps – Aiguille du Midi Bridge
When stepping onto the Aiguille du Midi Bridge in the French Alps, remember one thing—don’t look down. To reach this suspension bridge, which doesn’t seem particularly long, you first need to take a 20-minute cable car ride up to an entrance 2,800 meters above. When you reach the middle of the bridge, the terrifying feeling of standing over a deep gorge can easily make your legs go weak. (Image source / from www.kidstravelcam.co.uk)
● Read more:
The world’s 6 most vertigo-inducing high-altitude scenic journeys
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