Valy Bridge, northern Slovakia. (source: Pavol Stolárik)
Towering 84 metres above the valley of the Gorilov stream, the Valy Bridge is Slovakia’s highest and a marvel of modern engineering. Located in Čierne, in the Čadca district, this massive structure is also the tallest bridge in Central Europe.
It spans 591 metres and weighs more than 30,000 tons—roughly equivalent to 5,500 African elephants, reports the local news website My Kysuce.
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Part of the still-unfinished D3 motorway, which connects Poland to Žilina, the Valy Bridge draws visitors for more than just its practical use. With panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and nearby villages in the Czech Republic and Poland, it has become a tourist attraction. The bridge is situated near a tripoint, where the frontiers of Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland meet.
Beneath the bridge, a scenic cycling path meanders through the landscape, connecting the town of Hrčava in the Czech Republic and the town of Jaworzynka in Poland. Tourists flock to the area for both the engineering spectacle and the natural beauty of Kysuce, a border region in northern Slovakia.
According to Matej Šimášek, chair of the Kysuce Tourism Organisation, bridges like Valy have become “places of beautiful views and romantic meetings,” attracting visitors just as iconic landmarks like San Francisco’s Golden Gate do.
Beyond its tourism appeal, the bridge is a crucial transport link and a symbol of regional pride. The area is also home to another impressive structure: the largest all-stone bridge in Slovakia, built in 1831 in the town of Krásno nad Kysucou.
Even before its completion, the Valy Bridge attracted adrenaline seekers and filmmakers alike. Skydivers leapt from its dizzying heights, and in 2021, it featured in the filming of “Jack Ryan”, when a military convoy crossed its span as helicopters flew overhead.
Strong winds pose a significant challenge to vehicles crossing the bridge. As a safety measure, special windbreaks were installed—an innovation seen on only two other European bridges at the time. In extreme weather, wind-speed monitors slow down traffic or reroute trucks to ensure safety.
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