Overview
A Different Kind of Catwalk
Experience West Virginia’s most prominent landmark in a way few people ever do! 3,030 feet long and 876 feet above the New River, this icon is the longest single-span bridge in the Western Hemisphere and the third-highest in the United States. Underneath the four lanes of highway 19 and among the rust-red girders and beams is a lesser-known feature of the bridge: a two-foot-wide, grated-steel catwalk that runs the entire length of the bridge. And you can walk it!
Less than a five-minute drive from our main campus at Adventures on the Gorge, you’ll find our partner, Bridge Walk. Once you’ve checked in, your adventure will traverse various walking trails, decks, and viewpoints before reaching the underbelly of the bridge and its catwalk. Here, you’ll clip into your safety harness and walk over half a mile with a view of the New River hundreds of feet below you. There’s plenty of time to stop for pictures, sightseeing, and interesting points of history from your guide. Once on the other side, your shuttle bus will pick you up and return you to the starting point, where you can walk across the parking lot and visit the New River Gorge Visitor Center.
Resources
FAQ
What’s Included
Our adventure partner, Bridge Walk, LLC, will provide expert safety instruction and all the necessary safety gear, including harnesses. They’ll also share about the bridge’s history!
What to Wear and Bring
You’ll want to wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather forecast. Wind, rain, or snow may be coming at you from the sides or below (remember, you’ll be over 800 feet above the New River Gorge)!
Cameras and phones are allowed, but they must be secured to your person. Glasses must also be secured, and lanyards for clipping valuables are available for purchase at Bridge Walk. Leave gum, food, drinks, tobacco products, unsecured car keys, and anything else you might accidentally drop into the abyss back in your vehicle.
Where to Meet
Bridge Walk is owned and operated by Bridge Walk, LLC. They’re our partners, so you’ll begin your adventure at Bridge Walk’s headquarters, which is just across highway 19 from Adventures on the Gorge and walking distance from the New River Gorge National Park Visitor Center.
Trip Time
Your adventure will last 2-3 hours. Consider the Bridge Walk as a mild hike that stretches for almost a mile long.
Requirements and Limits
- The minimum age for this adventure is eight years old, and participants must be over 48” tall. Weight limits may exist.
- All participants should be able to walk at least two miles and be comfortable with moderate physical activity for three hours.
- Those with medical conditions (including pregnancy) should consult with their physicians prior to participating in Bridge Walk.
Safety
Bridge Walk uses an extensive safety system. Everyone will be secured by harness to steel cables to ensure the safety of all guests.
What is Bridge Day?
Every third Saturday of October, route 19 over the New River Gorge Bridge is closed. BASE jumpers, rappellers, and ziplines from across the globe gather to have fun jumping and zipping from the bridge while thousands of spectators look on from the bridge railings. You can book Bridge Walk on this day, but spots are very limited. Be sure to reserve early so you can experience seeing parachute jumpers whiz past your position. It’s a one-in-a-lifetime experience!