Ponte 516 Arouca

The Ponte 516 Arouca opened in 2021 across the Paiva gorge in the Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark, and it was the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world when built - 516 metres between two towers, hung on cables, with a walkway of open metal grating 175 metres above the river, so the water is visible directly under your feet the whole way across. Crossing takes about ten minutes at a normal pace and rather longer for people who stop halfway to reconsider. Designed by the Portuguese research institute Itecons and built by Conduril for about 2.3 million euros, its design is deliberately Tibetan-style: minimal, narrow, and it moves. It links to the Passadiços do Paiva, eight kilometres of wooden walkway and stairs along the river gorge that opened in 2015, and most people combine the two. Access is by timed ticket booked online, with numbers capped, and it is closed in high wind and thunderstorms.

What to look for

• The span - 516 metres between towers, the longest of its kind when built.
• The grid floor - open metal grating with the river 175 metres below in view.
• The movement - a deliberately minimal Tibetan-style deck that flexes as you walk.
• The Paiva walkways - eight kilometres of gorge boardwalk linked at the ends.

When to go

April to October. One to two hours for the bridge; a full day with the Paiva walkways. Book a timed slot well ahead - it sells out.

Things to know

The open floor and the movement genuinely frighten people, and turning back partway is common. Closed in wind and storms without notice. Timed tickets sell out weeks ahead in season. Not suitable for small children or anyone with a fear of heights.

Nearby

The Passadiços do Paiva run along the gorge; Frecha da Mizarela is on the Serra da Freita.

Key facts