Is the Geierlay Suspension Bridge Scary?

The Geierlay Suspension Bridge is Germany’s Second Longest:

The not too scary Geierlay Suspension Bridge

This morning we had the option of a hike to visit the Geierlay suspension bridge, Germany’s second longest pedestrian suspension bridge. The bridge can only be reached on foot from the villages of Sosberg and Mörsdorf.

Signposts to Geierlay Suspension Bridge

From our river ship, the River Queen, berthed in Cochem, we were taken by coach to the car park at Mörsdorf. From there our guide took us on a 5.5 kilometre circuit to the bridge and back.

The Geierlay Suspension Bridge

The Geierlay suspension bridge is in the low mountain range of the Hunsrück in western Germany. It was opened in 2015. Spanning some 360 metres, it hangs 100 metres above ground. A stream named Mörsdorfer Bach runs through the valley below the bridge but with the extremely dry weather at the moment I didn’t see any water flowing.

The bridge has a weight of 57 tons and can support 60 tons. Hans Pfaffen, a Swiss engineer, designed the bridge. He fashioned it after the Nepalese suspension bridges.

Tony at the start of our bridge crossing

There were lots of visitors crossing the bridge from both ends. I asked our guide if there’s some kind of monitoring system to limit the number of people crossing at any one time as I didn’t see any officials at either end. He believes that there is a video monitor at one end of the bridge from which they can gauge the numbers.

Is the Geierlay Bridge Scary?

We were warned that the bridge visit is not for anyone who is afraid of heights. I didn’t find it nerve-racking at all, perhaps because the wooden walkway blocks your immediate view of the ground below.

Crossing the Geierlay Suspension Bridge

But, it seems that some people do find it scary. From video footage, it is estimated that twenty per cent of all people visiting the bridge do not cross it.

The Walk to the Bridge

Although we were warned that the bridge is not for anyone with fear of heights, a word of warning is that it is not advisable for anyone with walking problems either.

Hike to Geierlay Suspension Bridge

The path is quite uneven, and it slopes and is narrow in parts. One of our fellow passengers came on the hike and with his gout, he had an excruciatingly painful walk.

Mörsdorf Village end

Our walk ended at the carpark in Mörsdorf where there is an information centre and gift shop. The visit to the bridge was most enjoyable and we were also thankful to get some real exercise after all the food consumed on board our cruise.

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