This is the new longest suspension pedestrian bridge in the world
65 kilometers from Porto (Portugal), the town of Arouca completes the Pasadizos del Paiva with a spectacular structure 516 meters long, 175 meters high.
You can start the tour in Espiunca or perhaps in Areinho , you can walk up to eight kilometers along the Paiva River Passages ... and, suddenly, the largest suspended pedestrian bridge in the world rises, which will be inaugurated shortly at about 65 kilometers from Porto.
We are in Arouca and we are surprised by the new structure, which unfolds its 516 meters as the culmination of a set formed by a network of routes for walkers. This is precisely what it will be called: "516 Arouca" , so that the figure is registered in the collective memory as a brand image, a real claim in these times of current pandemic.
At about 175 meters high and with a width of 1.20 in a uniform way during its itinerary, the construction is called to reactivate the tourism of the surroundings, as stagnant as the region because of the onslaught of the crisis. For this reason, the local authorities are committed not to paralyze the "coming-out", aware that it can become the trigger they needed .
Its premiere has already suffered a delay, due to the social and health consequences derived from the coronavirus. The same circumstances that have led the mayor of Arouca, the socialist Margarida Belém, to consult with a committee of experts before promoting the rules that must come into force when the work finally materializes . Above all, if we take into account that this municipality of 22,500 inhabitants accumulated 200 active cases of the new disease before September 10.
Thus, on the bridge and in all the Pasadizos del Paiva it is recommended to walk in a group, although not together (except for people who usually live under the same roof), between sunrise and sunset.
At the entrance, a temperature measurement will be made and, if the result is positive, the visitor should call the Portugal Health Line, on the phone number 808 24 24 24, in order to follow the instructions they receive.
Travelers should bring their own hydroalcoholic gel dispenser or in case they wish to wash their hands along the way, especially taking into account that it is recommended to avoid contact with the supports of the different surfaces.
The sale of tickets is only channeled through the internet, but in any case it is necessary to validate the "ticket" at the beginning and at the end, always with the mask on, a circumstance that must be prolonged when accessing the toilet or when interacting with third parties . In contrast, the development of the itinerary does not require the placement of this device on the face.
Some are also added behavioral patterns civic suitable for all kinds of contexts: observe wildlife from afar, not to damage the flora, not deposit garbage in nature, forbidden to carry prams.
The Pasadizos del Paiva give access to three river beaches , which offer the possibility of cooling off. In any case, it is advisable to bring water and a backpack to put the garbage. And, naturally, the route includes emergency telephones, in case such an eventuality arises.
