There is nothing like a “World’s Biggest” title to grab people’s attention, and I’m sure that’s what the destination managers in Arouca had in mind when they had the idea for the Ponte 516. After opening up previously inaccessible areas around the Paiva River to travellers via the Passadiços do Paiva (Paiva Walkways), Arouca launched a new attraction to lure nature lovers to explore its spectacular geopark. Spanning 516 metres across the Pavia River, Ponte 516 earned the title of the “World’s Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge” and news headlines with it when it opened in 2021.
Suspended 175 metre above the cascading water below, Ponte 516 offers incredible views of the dramatic gorge, river and surrounding hills. In combination with the Paiva Walkways, Ponte 516 allows travellers to explore and appreciate the unique landscape of the Arouca Geopark in Portugal’s north. Recognised by UNESCO in 2009, the park is home to rare and endangered animals including the Iberian wolf, red squirrels, otters and more. You may have to look hard to see any of these animals on your trip, but you won’t be able to miss the fast flowing waters of the Paiva River. The sound of rushing water follows you everywhere as the Ponte 516 passes right over the Cascata das Aguieiras (Aguieiras Waterfalls).
We visited the Ponte 516 soon after it opened in the spring of 2021. Keen to explore this area to its full potential, we also did the 8 kilometres of boardwalks along the Paiva Walkways. Whether you plan on just crossing the bridge or want the full day experience including the walkways, keep reading for my tips to ensure you have the best experience!
Tips for Visiting Ponte 516
1. Pre-purchase your tickets online
This is more than a tip, it’s a necessity. There is no ticket office at the bridge so you will need to buy your tickets online at the Ponte 516 website before you arrive. Tickets are €12 and when you book, you’ll need to select the time and which side you want to cross from.
2. Choose the right time and side of the bridge
If you plan on exploring the Paiva walkways (and I highly recommend that you do), you’ll need to start on the Canelas side. Choose an early time slot to cross the bridge that will leave you enough time to do the 8 kilometres of boardwalks after. They actually recommend doing this on the Ponte 516 website, but for reasons unclear to me now, we decided against this advice. Do not make the same mistake! We ended up having to rush towards the end to get to the bridge on time, which meant we had to speed past some of the best scenery.
3. Give yourself plenty of time to park your car and get to the bridge
Each side has a designated car park, but they aren’t super close to the entrance. On the Canelas side, there are 500 steep steps to climb from the carpark to the entrance. While we didn’t take the 1hr that they suggest on the website (more like 30 minutes), we were very hot and sweaty by the time we got to the top. Thankfully, this was the most difficult part of the whole Paiva walkway. We didn’t try from the Alvarenga side, but the advice is it’s easier and should only take 20 minutes, so I recommend this option for less energetic travellers.
4. Don't be late
You need to arrive before your allocated time or you will miss your spot. But don’t get there too early. The guards won’t let you in before your designated time, so you’ll just end up waiting around in the sun.
5. Wait to cross the bridge
While everyone will probably rush to be the first over the bridge, I recommend hanging back to be one of the last to cross. This way you can take your time, without feeling the pressure of the rest of your group pushing you forward, and get some nice photos of the empty bridge behind you.
6. Be sun smart and drink lots of water
Especially if you are doing the walkways as well. There isn’t much shade around the bridge and you’ll probably spend quite a bit of time waiting before you cross. Bring a water bottle, hat and sun protection to keep cool and hydrated while you are exposed to the sun.
7. Pee before you arrive
The closest toilet on the Canelas side is over a kilometre away with lots of stairs to take to reach it. On the Alvarenga side you will need to walk one kilometre to do your business.
So was the Ponte 516 worth it?
At €12 per adult, this is a pretty pricey bridge to cross and one of the most expensive attractions we have done in Portugal. There was also A LOT of faffing around waiting to cross the bridge – we waited 30 minutes between getting our tickets checked and stepping onto the bridge. Having to cross the bridge as a large group all together, instead of being able to cross independently at our allotted time, was also kind of annoying.
But the sweeping views from the bridge across this amazing landscape were stunning. Even though we had just completed the Pavia Walkways, it was awesome to see the area from a new perspective and to look down over the rushing river below. Our guide also provided some interesting information on the flora and fauna of the region.
All in all, it’s worth doing once for the views, especially if you don’t do the walkways. But if I return again with friends, I’d be happy to sit out the bridge crossing.
Have you crossed Ponte 516? What was your experience and would you include any other tips? Let me know in the comments!