Zermatt’s Record-Breaking Design Bridge

Step on to Switzerland’s latest feat in extraordinary architecture and design and swing sky-high on the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge at 1621ft (494m), the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge hangs at breath-taking heights over the Zermatt and Grächen valley.

A part of the much-loved Europaweg hiking route - considered by many to be the most beautiful 2-day hike in the whole of the Alps - the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge cuts the usually more circuitous journey through the valley from ski-haven Zermatt to fairy-tale mountain village Grächen down from 3-4 hours to a mere ten-minutes. And would you just look at that view.

Gaze eye to eye with Switzerland’s most famous natural designs, from the incredible Matterhorn to the Weisshorn and Bernese Alps, and breath in a head clearing blast of fresh, mountain air, an exhilarating 279ft (85m) up – either clutching the rail, or with arms spread wide – it’s up to you.

A classic reminder of Switzerland’s premiere place on the worldwide design stage, the Swiss-based group who built this record-breaking Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge have also built many others throughout Switzerland and beyond. Erecting it in only ten weeks in order to replace an older bridge that was damaged by rocks, the team have made sure this is not a future possibility, through its incredible, valley minimising height.

However, a shorter 405m bridge in Reutte in Austria does hang 110m above the ground – but who needs height when you have Switzerland’s Matterhorn in view?

A hike to add to your travel diaries, pop in to Zermatt for some incredible skiing and then go adventuring into Switzerland’s great wide beyond, but just a small warning, those afraid of heights beware: do not look down.