Cover Spend a few hours climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the world’s largest steel arch bridge. (Photo: Planet One Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Spend a few hours climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the world’s largest steel arch bridge. (Photo: Planet One Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
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Walk above water, through rainforest canopies or across glass-bottomed spans—explore 10 bridges around the world that offer scenic views
There’s something inherently thrilling about stepping onto bridges suspended over water, traffic or sheer drops—and doing it on foot. Bridgewalks offer a rare perspective: a way to feel the full scale of engineering feats while taking in skyline views, natural wonders or urban sprawl from an unusual vantage point. These experiences are not for the faint-hearted, nor are they always the most publicised tourist offerings. But for those willing to climb, sign waivers or pay a premium, these bridgewalks provide a unique blend of height, history and high-definition scenery. Here are some bridges around the world that elevate the simple act of walking into something far more memorable.
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1. Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia
Arguably the most famous bridgewalk in the world, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb puts you at the summit of an iconic steel arch, 134 metres above sea level. Since 1998, more than four million people have taken the guided climb, which includes commentary on Sydney’s history and skyline. It’s tightly regulated—harnesses, breathalysers and weather conditions are all part of the experience—but the panoramic views over the Opera House and the Pacific make it worth the checklist.
2. Golden Gate Bridge, USA
Unlike Sydney, there’s no official “climb” here, but walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is still a rite of passage. The pedestrian walkway offers staggering views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and the Marin Headlands. It’s a democratic experience—free, self-paced and always open—though the fog often does its best to obscure the scenery. Despite the bridge’s global fame, its sidewalks remain surprisingly quiet during off-peak hours.
3. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland
This is not your average bridge, and certainly not your average walk. Unlike other bridges on this list, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, as its name suggests, is made of steel wire rope and wooden slats. It dangles nearly 30 metres above the rocks and crashing waves below, linking the mainland to a tiny island once used by salmon fishermen. It sways, it creaks and it’s not recommended for those with even a mild fear of heights. But the reward is a windswept Atlantic view and a visceral connection to the region’s rugged geography.
4. Capilano Suspension Bridge, Canada
Set within a temperate rainforest in British Columbia, the Capilano Suspension Bridge stretches 137 metres across and 70 metres above the Capilano River. Unlike most bridgewalks, this one is part of a broader experience that includes treetop walks and cliff-hugging platforms. While it’s unabashedly touristy, it still manages to feel immersive, especially when the forest mist rolls in and muffles the noise of the crowd.
5. Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, Switzerland
This is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the Alps and not one for the easily unsettled. Spanning almost 500 metres and hanging 85 metres above a deep ravine, the Charles Kuonen Bridge is accessible only via a mountain trail and takes about 10 minutes to cross—assuming you don’t stop to panic or gawk at the Matterhorn views. Built to flex with the wind, it offers a dramatic encounter with the Swiss landscape that most tourists won’t attempt.
6. Royal Gorge Bridge, USA
Colorado’s Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest in the United States, standing 291 metres above the Arkansas River. Originally built as a tourist attraction in 1929, it now hosts everything from zip-lining to daredevil walks on planks extending over the edge. The actual bridgewalk is more serene but no less striking, offering views into a canyon that rivals the Grand Canyon in depth if not fame.
7. Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, China
Located in Hunan Province, this glass-bottomed bridge suspended between two cliffs in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a newer entry into the world of high-stakes bridgewalks. At 430 metres long and 300 metres above the ground, it was briefly the world’s longest and highest glass bridge. It’s designed to terrify: the transparent panels beneath your feet offer a stomach-churning look at the void below. Surprisingly, it’s not the view but the sensation of weightlessness that tends to unnerve even the steeliest walkers.
8. Henderson Waves, Singapore
Perched 36 metres above ground, Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. Connecting Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park, it winds through the Southern Ridges and offers a quiet reprieve from the city below. The undulating timber deck—shaped like a wave and partially enclosed by curved steel ribs—doubles as an urban lookout and a sculptural walkway. While not dramatic in length or altitude, it’s one of the more unexpected bridgewalks: a tranquil, elevated stroll through treetops with occasional glimpses of container ships drifting offshore.
9. Brooklyn Bridge, USA
Few bridges carry as much cultural weight as the Brooklyn Bridge. Completed in 1883, it was the first steel-wire suspension bridge ever built and remains one of New York City’s most recognisable landmarks. The elevated walkway above the traffic lanes allows pedestrians to traverse between Brooklyn and Manhattan in about 40 minutes, flanked by neo-Gothic stone towers and sweeping views of the East River. Early mornings are best, when the bridge is calm and the skyline still half-asleep.
10. Infinity Bridge, Dubai
Dubai isn’t known for subtlety, and the Infinity Bridge fits the brief: bold, sleek and symbolic. Opened in 2022, the six-lane structure spans Dubai Creek and features a striking infinity loop arch—a nod to the city’s forward-looking ethos. While it's primarily for vehicles, the wide pedestrian and cycle lanes offer a rare chance to walk across a major infrastructural artery while taking in views of old and new Dubai. This bridgewalk doesn’t offer height thrills, but it’s a study in urban ambition—best experienced at dusk when the lighting gives the golden loop an otherworldly glow.
From sky-high bridges in Colorado to sculptural curves in Singapore, these bridgewalks are more than sightseeing—they’re immersive ways to experience place, design and scale from a rare point of view. Some dazzle with drama, others with detail, but all of them prove that sometimes the most memorable journeys aren’t the longest or the fastest—they’re the ones taken a few hundred feet above everything else.
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