The highest pedestrian bridge in Europe has been inaugurated on Lake Como, suspended at 204 meters high (and connects an abandoned village)

A steel ribbon stretched into the void at a height of 204 metres, suspended above the canyon of the Varrone torrent. The Miners’ Bridge, inaugurated on 24 October in Valvarrone, in the province of Lecco, has officially become the highest pedestrian walkway in Europe. An impressive work of extreme engineering that promises to revolutionize mountain tourism a stone’s throw from Lake Como, transforming a narrow valley of around 500 inhabitants into an attraction of international importance.

The engineering feat of Cristian Adamoli and Claudia Anselmini

The work was born from the determination of Cristian Adamoli, a 54-year-old geologist originally from Tremenico and administrator of the developer company, and his wife Claudia Anselmini. A private investment aimed at reviving an area marked by depopulation after the closure, which occurred in 2005, of the feldspar mines active since 1907. The construction required 500 days of construction work and the use of over 100 technicians and specialized workers. The structure, 450 meters long and 1.20 meters wide, rests on load-bearing cables with a diameter of 84 millimetres, weighing 21 tonnes each and capable of supporting over 700 tonnes, guaranteeing resistance to wind gusts of up to 150 kilometers per hour.

A suspended walk without a harness

Unlike other alpine structures characterized by discontinuous platforms, the passage takes place safely on a continuous metal grating and without the need to wear a harness. The route connects the town of Tremenico with the ancient abandoned village of Lentrèe, where the miners’ families once lived. The impervious orography of the access paths requires adequate sports footwear and adequate preparation for the altitude, but the route can also be used by motorized wheelchairs.

A tribute to the mining history and revitalization of the valley

The name of the infrastructure pays homage to generations of workers who have marked the history of Valvarrone. Rather than a simple adrenaline attraction, the connection represents the starting point for an integrated architectural recovery plan for the village of Lentrèe and the ancient mining tunnels. Mayor Luca Buzzella highlighted how the work represents a concrete opportunity for economic development to counteract the demographic decline of mountain villages.

The cost of tickets and opening hours

As regards access to the Miners’ Bridge, the structure is open from October to February from 10am to 4.30pm, with last entry at 3.30pm. The price of tickets, however, is 15 euros with children up to 5 years old entering for free and children aged 6 to 14 paying 12 euros. Same amount for disabled people too, with free entry for the companion. Reservation is not necessary, with tickets that can be purchased directly on site at the ticket office. Pets are not allowed for safety reasons and for their safety, except guide dogs.