In 2022, North Carolina’s famous Mile High Swinging Bridge turns 70. This means generations of North Carolinians and out-of-staters alike have made the trek across this 280-foot bridge – and probably on multiple occasions.

If you are still among those who have yet to walk across this engineering wonder, then buckle in because you're in for a thrilling ride.
AppalachianViews / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
The current rendition of the bridge is all metal and steel. It's perfectly safe and is inspected frequently to assure the utmost safety of all visitors. Yet, it's put together in segments that are approximately six or eight feet long - making it wobble and even shimmy from side to side as you cross!
It's also supported by wires, making it a true suspension bridge.
Google/Mile High Swinging Bridge
On a day without any breezes, the bridge gently sways with each step taken by people crossing all at the same time.
And on a windy day???
Google/Tony Craig
Well, let's start with the evergreen trees by the bridge that are prone to having branches only on one side of the tree. From there, we can tell you from personal experience that on a cold and very windy day crossing this bridge sounds like a freight train is rolling by at 100 miles per hour. The wind whistling through the vertical bars is phenomenal.

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Let's also talk about the "Mile High" in the bridge's name.
Google/Zhongliang Zhou
With a name such as this, it would be very easy to misconstrue the ravine it crosses as being a mile deep. But don't worry. The drop from the bridge is not a mile to the bottom. The 'mile high' part of the title merely refers to the elevation above sea level, which is absolutely impressive.
In reality, the bridges crosses a crevice about 80 feet deep.
Robin Jarvis
In fact, there is a trail that winds under the bridge and that's where we took this photo.
Unless you're just terrified of heights, there is absolutely nothing at all to be frightened of at the Mile High Swinging Bridge.
Robin Jarvis
Unless you just don't care to see incredible, glorious, exhilarating views from the peak of a massive mountain in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When was the last time you crossed the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain? We’d love to know so fire up some feedback!

Learn all about the bridge on the Grandfather website – and even book your tickets for an upcoming visit!

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Mile High Swinging Bridge, 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC 28646, USA