Across the United States, pedestrian bridges are becoming major attractions. These elevated walkways are often built on former rail lines, suspended over deep river gorges, or designed alongside massive highway bridges to give pedestrians safe access to dramatic views. They serve practical purposes but also invite travelers to see the surrounding landscape from a new perspective.
Some of the longest pedestrian bridges in the country stretch more than a mile, offering sweeping views of mountains, canyons, and coastlines. Others are modern marvels built into urban infrastructure, connecting neighborhoods and riverfronts in cities across the country. A few sit high above valleys once crossed only by trains, now reimagined as scenic trails in public parks and protected lands.
These seven bridges stand out for their size, setting, and the experience they offer. Each one combines access with adventure, turning a simple walk into something unforgettable.
Walkway Over the Hudson
- Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
- Length: 6,768 feet (1.28 miles)
- Opened: 1889 (rail bridge), reopened as pedestrian bridge in 2009
- Type: Former railroad bridge turned pedestrian walkway
Stretching high above the Hudson River, the Walkway Over the Hudson is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Spanning 1.28 miles, this steel structure connects the city of Poughkeepsie to the town of Highland, offering uninterrupted views of the Hudson Valley and the distant Catskill Mountains. Originally built in 1889 as a vital railroad link for freight trains, the bridge was closed after a fire in 1974 and sat unused for decades. It reopened in 2009 after an ambitious restoration project transformed it into a pedestrian promenade…