Suspension Bridge 516 Arouca — Attraction in Arouca

Check Before You Go!

Before visiting the bridge, make sure it's open. How? Call the contact center to confirm. We were coming from Porto and didn’t want to be disappointed by a closure after the long drive to Arouca — and yes, it was worth the journey.

Pros Admission Fee There is an entrance fee to cross the bridge, so be prepared to pay at the gate.

Breathtaking Views The view from the middle of the bridge is absolutely stunning. However, if you have a fear of heights, you might want to think twice before crossing.

Lunch Break Operations During our visit, the staff took a lunch break, meaning we had to wait before crossing back. Plan your timing accordingly.

The Walk to the Bridge You’ll need to walk a few kilometers to reach the bridge — just follow the signs. You’ll pass by some local houses along the way. We parked near the main road, but there’s also a taxi service if you’d prefer not to walk.

Optional Stair Hike to the River There’s an option to descend the wooden stairs down to the river. I skipped it this time since I did a similar way six years ago through...

A Breathtaking Experience – 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge in Portugal, and I must say: no photo or video can do it justice. Standing in front of it is simply overwhelming – it’s much larger and more impressive than it appears in pictures.

With a span of 516 meters and suspended 175 meters above the Paiva River, it offers an awe-inspiring view that truly has to be experienced in person. The engineering is remarkable, with sturdy steel cables and a see-through metal grid floor that gives you both a sense of security and a thrilling hint of exposure.

For those seeking a bit of adventure, this is a must-see. The bridge connects two mountain ridges and is part of the Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark. The surrounding nature trails, especially the famous "Passadiços do Paiva" wooden walkway, make it an ideal destination for a full day of exploration.

Please note: Access to the bridge requires an online reservation in advance, and reaching it involves some hiking, depending on the chosen path – so wear proper shoes and check the route beforehand.

All in all, an unforgettable experience and one of the absolute highlights of my time in Portugal. Highly recommended for nature lovers, photographers, and fans of great engineering

DEUTSCH

Ein atemberaubendes Erlebnis – 516 Arouca Hängebrücke

Ich hatte kürzlich das Vergnügen, die 516 Arouca Hängebrücke in Portugal zu besuchen, und ich muss sagen: Fotos und Videos können die beeindruckende Realität nicht annähernd einfangen. Mit einer Länge von 516 Metern und einer Höhe von 175 Metern über dem Fluss Paiva bietet die Brücke ein unvergleichliches Panorama und ein Gefühl der Ehrfurcht, das man nur vor Ort erleben kann.

Die Konstruktion aus Stahlseilen und Metallgittern vermittelt sowohl Sicherheit als auch ein aufregendes Gefühl von Leichtigkeit. Der Blick durch den transparenten Boden auf die Schlucht und den Fluss darunter ist sowohl faszinierend als auch ein wenig schwindelerregend – definitiv nichts für schwache Nerven.

Für Abenteuerlustige ist die Brücke ein absolutes Muss. Sie verbindet die beiden Ufer des Paiva-Flusses und ist Teil des UNESCO Global Geoparks Arouca . Die umliegenden Wanderwege, insbesondere die Passadiços do Paiva, ergänzen das Erlebnis perfekt und laden zu weiteren Erkundungen ein.

Ein kleiner Hinweis: Der Zugang zur Brücke erfordert eine vorherige Online-Buchung, und es gibt mehrere Zugangswege, einige davon mit steilen Anstiegen. Es ist ratsam, sich im Voraus über die Route zu informieren und entsprechendes Schuhwerk zu tragen.

Insgesamt ein unvergessliches Erlebnis, das ich jedem empfehlen kann, der die Schönheit der Natur in Kombination mit beeindruckender Ingenieurskunst schätzt. Ein Highlight meines...

You will require a guide to take you up the trail, with about 500 steps until the bridge. Be sure to book early on the online portal. Summer will be sweltering, but early autumn is just right in weather.

The view is incredible, with surroundings of luscious green forest canopies and a gorgeous waterfall stream below the bridge. Do not miss travelling to this geopark if you're in Porto.

The upward hike takes around 1 hour to cover 1.6km distance with a series of wooden steps snaking around the mountain side. However, there are many stops along the way to snap some IG-worthy shots so you might take even longer a time to reach the bridge.

The downward trek is much faster, but the distance is further at about 3-3.5km. Still having a few more scenic spots for...