A roller coaster ride atop a rickety bridge with a train surging across it, twitching over a gorge or a tempestuous sea below is arguably the most thrilling experience ever. “In the Adventure of the Movie”- in the movie. But for many peeps, this is a riveting experience! Train bridges can be engineering marvels, and at the same time, some can be downright horrifying due to their extreme height, wild weather conditions, or heart-stopping remote design. Buckle Yourself, as we take you across the 10 most dangerous train bridges in the world; odd stories included. 😱
Table of contents
- Why Are These Bridges So Dangerous? 🤔
- 1. Pamban Bridge, India
- 2. Cikurutug Pylon Trestle Bridge, Indonesia
- 3. Devil’s Gate High Bridge, USA
- 4. Minami Aso Route (Tateno Bridge), Japan
- 5. Nariz del Diablo, Ecuador
- 6. Tren a las Nubes (Polvorilla Viaduct), Argentina
- 7. Kuranda Scenic Railroad, Australia
- 8. Kaaiman’s Bridge, South Africa
- 9. White Pass and Yukon Route, USA/Canada
- 10. Kuandinsky Bridge, Russia
- Safety First: Are These Bridges Still in Use?
- Final Thoughts: Ready for the Ride?
Why Are These Bridges So Dangerous? 🤔

Truly dangerous, as their name indicates, Train bridges have a particular badge of “Dangerous Train Bridges” for the following reasons:
- Extremely Elevated: Some soar alongside hundreds and feet above rivers or canyons.
- Dangerous Weather: Cyclones, floods, or even volcanic activity can risk to bridges.
- Aging Structures: Old bridges lack safety measures.
- Narrow: Sharp turns of zigzag add to excitement.
Ride along the following list with me to find out more mind-blowing curiosities and images to fascinate you.
1. Pamban Bridge, India

The Pamban Bridge, spanning 2.3 km over the Indian Ocean, links mainland India to Rameswaram Island. It was constructed in 1914, but is still bewildering today. What is a head scratcher is why? Trains crawl at just 4 meters per second, which is still considerably fast when trains are constantly obliterated by high waves and cyclones. In 1964, a cyclone swept a train off its tracks, which cemented the bridge’s risky reputation.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Tamil Nadu, India |
Length | 2.3 km |
Height | Elevated above sea |
Danger Factor | Cyclones, flooding, aging structure |
Fun Fact: The stunning, yet unsafe, cyclone-ridden bridge was replaced with a much safer and modern counterpart in 2022.
2. Cikurutug Pylon Trestle Bridge, Indonesia

Imagine a train floating 200 feet above a green subtropical valley. The Cikurutug Bridge on the Jakarta-Bandung route in Indonesia is both beautiful and frightening. It’s picturesque, yet terrifying at the same time. The gaps to the side provide no curbing or protective walls, and the flimsy track gives minimal room for slippage. Passengers regularly gaze into the void below while clutching their breath. 😵
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | West Java, Indonesia |
Height | 200 ft |
Length | Not specified |
Danger Factor | No side railings, high altitude |
Reason It’s Exciting: The sight is beautiful and frightening, IF you are willing to look down.
3. Devil’s Gate High Bridge, USA

Perched at Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the 19th-century Devil’s Gate High Bridge rests with the Georgetown Loop Railroad. The bridge is a sight to behold as it stands at 100 feet tall, swaying back and forth as a train crosses it, brought lower by winds it has to face. Initially built for silver miners, it is now modified into a ride for tourists.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Colorado, USA |
Height | 100 ft |
Length | Not specified |
Danger Factor | Narrow track, high winds |
Interesting Fact: Its old and worn vibes enhance the feeling of Wild West movie scenes.
4. Minami Aso Route (Tateno Bridge), Japan

Japan features the Minami Aso Route, which leads to the shadow of Mount Aso, an active volcano. Tateno Bridge, the incredibly fragile structure, crosses a high valley. Nature can be tricky, given volcanic eruptions or quakes like the Kumamoto one in 2016.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Kumamoto, Japan |
Height | High above valley |
Length | Not specified |
Danger Factor | Active volcano, earthquakes |
Yikes: You do have the possibility to see forests burnt by lava, directly from your window.
5. Nariz del Diablo, Ecuador

Standing in the devil’s location, the nose of the devil, or rather Nariz del Diablo in Ecuador, is served by a zig-zag railway specifically carved to climb 500 meters of elevation in a mere 12 km. Built in 1902. This Andean marvel hugs sheerly vertical cliffs.
Whoever it may concern, if you consider yourself to be on the thrill-seekers’ side, then you must experience the invigorating ride to Nariz del Diablo by either partaking in or witnessing the steep ascent and sharp switchback, both of which give a bone-jarring experience. I’d trust you. It’s heart thumping Рeal. This experience becomes even restlessly maddening when burrowing a giant tunnel into the track upon which the train runs, making the ceiling of the train a solid rock.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Andes Mountains, Ecuador |
Height | 9,000 ft above sea level |
Length | 12 km stretch |
Danger Factor | Steep cliffs, sharp turns |
Cautious Travelers: “It’s been continually dubbed ‘Condor’s Aerie’ due to its height that induces giddiness.’’
6. Tren a las Nubes (Polvorilla Viaduct), Argentina

In Argentina, the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) traverses the Polvorilla Viaduct, a 224-meter-long bridge that sits at an elevation of 4,220 meters above sea level. The 15-hour longevity journey features 21 tunnels and 13 bridges, which serve as a roller coaster through the Andes Mountains. The location and elevation combine with Daedalian air to create an additional challenge. 😎
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Salta, Argentina |
Height | 4,220 m |
Length | 224 m |
Danger Factor | High altitude, remote |
Wow Factor: The sights are stunning, as in stunningly otherworldly.
7. Kuranda Scenic Railroad, Australia

The Kuranda Scenic Railroad in Australia snakes its way through the Barron Gorge National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It included 37 km of track broken into 15 tunnels and 40 bridges, with the Stoney Creek Bridge being the most dangerous. Stony Creek Bridge Clinging to cliffs near waterfalls, the train moves slowly to avoid slippage.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Queensland, Australia |
Height | Varies |
Length | 37 km |
Danger Factor | Cliffs, waterfalls |
Nature’s Lover’s Pick: The waterfall’s violent outpouring can drench passengers
8. Kaaiman’s Bridge, South Africa

The Kaaiman’s Bridge, part of the Garden Route, overlooks the Indian Ocean and was built in 1908. Even though the bridge looks stunning, the railroad bridge is extremely dangerous because of powerful ocean storms and waves. The suspense is increased by the train’s gradual crawl.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
Height | Not specified |
Length | Not specified |
Danger Factor | Ocean waves, strong winds |
Pro Tip: Book a window seat for epic ocean views
9. White Pass and Yukon Route, USA/Canada

Constructed during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, the White Pass and Yukon Route, which includes the Cantilever Bridge, rises 3,000 feet in 32 km. This Alaskan route surely is a thrill-seeker’s dream due to the sheer cliffs and icy conditions.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Alaska, USA to Yukon, Canada |
Height | Up to 3,000 ft |
Length | 110 miles |
Danger Factor | Cliffs, ice |
Chill Factor: It’s a frosty adventure during the winter
10. Kuandinsky Bridge, Russia

In the Trans-Baikal region of Russia, the decaying Kuandinsky Bridge serves as a railway relic. There’s no better evidence of humanity’s destructive impact than the 570-meter-long bridge, which is 50 feet above the Vitim River, could be used as a connecting river. This narrow bridge has no railing and is boarded with icy planks in winter.
Fact | Details |
---|---|
Location | Siberia, Russia |
Length | 570 m |
Height | 50 ft |
Danger Factor | No railings, icy surface |
Daredevil Alert: Some people drive cars across it.
Safety First: Are These Bridges Still in Use?
Several of the listed bridges are still in use, frequently with new safety features added. For instance:
- The Pambam Bridge has an iconic old grandmother, yet a new counterpart.
- Devil’s Gate and Kuranda are heavily traveled tourist routes, but they are extremely safe.
- Kuandinsky seldom sees use, but its peril is always legendary.
Local travel alerts should be consulted before making a travel plan. Safety might have improved over the years, but the excitement never fades.
Final Thoughts: Ready for the Ride?
From the cyclone-susceptible Pamban Bridge to the volcano-attacked Minami Aso Route, these 10 most dangerous train bridges are not simply concrete and steel. they are relentlessly seeking adventure. Each of them possesses a different kind of shivery wonder and enlightenment. Would you have the guts to try one? Tell us in the comments below.