A suspension bridge longer than any other in the world has opened to hikers in the Swiss Alps.
The gigantic swaying structure measures 494 metres in length and cuts a four-hour journey across a valley down to just 10 minutes.
Not for the faint of heart, the narrow Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge soars as high as 86 metres above the ground and offers spectacular views of the Matterhorn and Weisshorn mountains as well as the Bernese Alps.
It was built in just 10 weeks to replace a smaller bridge that was damaged by rocks and is already being enjoyed by hikers on the Europaweg walking trail between Grächen and Zermatt.
According to the Zermatt tourism board: “The thrill of traversing the precipice is indescribable.”
The previous record holder for the longest suspension footbridge was a 430-metre structure spanning the Zhangjiajie Canyon in China's Hunan province.
The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge lacks a glass bottom, but users can brave the same terror with precipitous views of the valley beneath through a grated-metal walkway.
