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Mountain
Gigantic Suspension bridge
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Thrills at the summit
The 140 metre long suspended bridge on the Stubnerkogel in Bad Gastein breaks two records at the same time: it is the first hanging bridge at an altitude of 2,300 m and it can be walked on all year round.
Whoever visits the restaurant at the summit station of the new Stubnerkogel lift and then steps onto the new hanging bridge just a few metres away will get a real thrill: the 140 m long and just one metre wide bridge was built as a swinging rope construction and leads directly from the terrace of the mountain restaurant to the sender station. A head for heights and strong nerves are needed for the crossing since the hanging bridge is transparent, too. Only a wire mesh guard rail separates adventurous skywalkers from the 28 m drop.
“With its support and wind cables to limit vibration the bridge can withstand wind speeds of up to 200 km/h”, Franz Schafflinger, manager of the lift operator, puts our minds at rest. His idea to build a suspended bridge here came from seeing visitors who always “stared across the cliffs in awe“. “At first I was only joking”, Schafflinger continues, “when I said we would span a hanging bridge across!”
A ride with the new Stubnerkogel lift to the summit is really worthwhile, and after reaching the other side of the bridge, hikers and walkers can relax on a wonderful circular trail on the ridge of the Stubnerkogel and enjoy splendid views into the Hohe Tauern range.
