This Terrifying Swinging Bridge In Hawaii Will Make Your Stomach Drop
By Megan Shute|Published April 13, 2016
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Located in a scenic canyon across the street from the Menehune Ditch, the Waimea Swinging Bridge is perhaps one of the area’s scariest attractions, and is only suggested for those without a fear of heights. The Waimea Swinging Bridge crosses the Waimea River and provides the only access to farms on the other side. This particular bridge is not to be confused with the more popular – but perhaps a little less terrifying – Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, which also crosses the Waimea River through nearby Hanapepe Town.
You can find the Waimea Swinging Bridge by heading west on Highway 50 from Hanapepe and turning right onto Menehune Road, just before you reach mile marker 23. You’ll drive for less than a mile through a residential neighborhood before spotting the bridge to the right.
The original Waimea Swinging Bridge was built by early settlers in the area, and was subsequently destroyed during 1992, when Hurricane Iniki struck the island – and was rebuilt in a similar style four years later.
The simple suspension bridge is anchored only on either side, making it sway with every passing breeze, as well as the movement of those crossing it. The old wood creaks with every step, making for quite the scary trek for some visitors.
If you’re brave enough to cross, the views are quite stunning, to say the least!
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Just be warned: even if you make it all the way across the bridge, you will be required to promptly return and cross the bridge for a second time – the land on the other side is private property, and venturing past the edge of the bridge is considered trespassing.