The bridge, accessible from the town of Randa near Zermatt, was opened on 29 July 2017.

The 494 metre footbridge forms part of the Europaweg walking trail, one of Switzerland’s most famous. The two-day hike links Grächen and Zermatt.

In 2010, the previous bridge was closed because of ground instability. Since then hikers have had to descend 500 metres into the valley before climbing back up even higher.

The new bridge hangs 200 metres lower than the old one. 65 centimetres wide its 53 millimetre cables weigh 8 tonnes.

The bridge is a 2.5 hour hike from Randa and is not for those who suffer from vertigo. Zermatt Tourism advises that it should not be crossed in a storm because of the risk of lightening.

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