Europe’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge that crosses 574ft above void

Connecting the medieval village of Sellano with Montesanto, a hamlet on the other side of the Vigi River in the Valnerina valley, is Europe’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge, the Sellano Bridge. It is located in the region of Umbria in central Italy.

The bridge, which is just under half a mile long, sits 574 feet – or 175 metres – above the ravine and takes around 30 to 45 minutes to walk. 

Adding to the thrill, the paving slats of the so-called “ponte tibetano”, or “Tibetan bridge”,  are set apart, known as a “discontinuous tread”. It also features a 223-foot, or 68-metre, incline rising toward Montesanto. There are around 1,000 steps to cross. 

But do not fear: visitors are attached to a harness, meaning it can be walked safely by everyone from experienced hikers to families.

The only requirement is that visitors must be at least four feet, or 120 centimetres tall. 

A maximum of 90 visitors are allowed per hour-long slot. You can purchase your ticket online to save money, or on-site at the ticket counter near the departure point. To ensure safety at all times, the bridge is closed during bad weather, upon which tickets can be refunded or changed to a different date. 

In April, the mayor of Sellano, Attilio Gubbiotti told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper that the idea was to “revitalise the area and stave off depopulation.”

In 2016, Eastern Umbria was at the heart of a devastating series of earthquakes which shook central Italy. The third quake, on October 30, was the largest in Italy in 36 years.

The quakes ranged from a magnitude of 5.5 to 6.6, with the first being felt in Rome. Three deaths were recorded, along with dozens of injuries. Some villages, including the farming village of Castelluccio on the border with the neighbouring Marche region, were completely destroyed, with locals still unable to return to their homes as of April 2024, according to CNN Travel. 

For those not keen on the crossing, the villages themselves are still very much worth the visit. Sellona is one of “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” – “The most beautiful villages of Italy”. Archaeological findings suggest that the site was already inhabited in pre-Roman times. The surrounding valleys and mountains are rich in diverse flora and fauna, ideal for ecotourism and hiking.  

Montesanto, meanwhile, is also steeped in rich history, culture and natural beauty. Dominated by the Church of Sant’Anna in the historic centre, Montesano offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding area. The Gerbasio Palace hosts two exhibitions of period ceramics and paintings.

While not the highest, the “longest” pedestrian suspension bridge can be found near the German ski resort of Willingen, which cost £3.8 million to build. The Skywalk Willingen Bridge is 664 metres long and sits around 100 metres above the canyon below. 

Anchored by 36 steel supports drilled into the mountain below, it weighs in at around 120 tonnes and is capable of supporting 750 people as they cross.