Amazing footbridges around the world

The recent opening of the world's first peak-to-peak suspension bridge in Switzerland is yet another example of how footbridges, once simply built to provide passage over challenging obstacles are increasingly being designed with thrill seekers in mind.

Peak Walk - Switzerland

The world's first pedestrian suspension bridge to connect two mountain peaks opened on Glacier 3000 in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland in October 2014. The 107-meter (351 feet) bridge connects View Point peak with Scex Rouge peak. The bridge, which cost $2 million dollars to build, will stay open all year around

SkyBridge - Sochi, Russia

In Sochi, Russia, SkyBridge is the world's longest pedestrian bridge. It also has the world's highest swing and a 700-meter zip wire. The 439-meter-long bridge has two observation platforms, both offering spectacular views of the Black Sea

Trift Bridge - Gadmen, Switzerland

The mountaineering hut at the top of Tift Glacier was once reachable by foot. When the glacier started to shrink, the 170-meter-long Tift Bridge in Gadmen, Switzerland, became the only way to access the hut. This Swiss suspension bridge, which can only be accessed via a cable car, hangs above the Trift Glacier.

Hanging Bridge of Ghasa - Nepal

It's not just humans who use this bridge donkeys, cows and goats use it, as well. In fact, it was built specifically for animals, as a solution to the congestion caused by cattle being herded up and down Ghasa's narrow roads. Today, animals remain the biggest users of the Hanging Bridge of Ghasa, prodded along by the farmers who also use it to deliver produce to local families.

Taman Negara Bridge - Malaysia

Malaysia's longest suspension bridge, the Taman Negara National Park Bridge stretches 530 meters across the tops of the trees.

The Marienbrucke - Bavaria, Germany

Marienbrucke is located just a few meters from Bavaria's beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle and spans the Pollat Gorge. It was named after Marie of Prussia, wife of King Maximilian II and mother of King Ludwig II, who built the castle. There was already a wooden bridge spanning the gorge, but King Ludwig II wanted something more substantial from which to watch his castle's construction, so he replaced the wooden railings with iron ones.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge - Northern Ireland

This Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was built so fishermen could cross the 30-meter-deep gorge to check their nets. It's become one of Northern Ireland's most popular tourist attractions.

Capilano Suspension Bridge - Vancouver

Capilano Suspension Bridge is Vancouver, Canada's, most popular attraction, welcoming 700,000-plus visitors a year. It hangs 70 meters above the Capilano River.

El Caminito Del Rey - Spain

One of many bridges on the El Caminito Del Rey (meaning "the king's little pathway"), this cliff-hugging path in Spain was built to provide workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls with a way to cross between them. It quickly became a tourist attraction, although it's only recently reopened after major renovations. The entire walkway is just one meter wide and rises to over 100 meters (328 feet) above the river below.

Kokonoe "Yume" Bridge - Japan

Kokonoe "Yume" Grand Suspension Bridge in Oita, Japan, offers views of Shindonotaki falls. At 390-meters long, it's the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge currently.