Clear answers to optimise your experience

In this article we are going to explore some of the main frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the access to “Ponte nel Sole” and we will give you advice for tackling them in the best way to improve your experience and not to be caught unprepared.

  1. Is “Ponte nel Sole” Dossena Tibetan bridge?

Yes, “Ponte nel Sole” is the proper name of Dossena Tibetan bridge. It was chosen by the inhabitants thanks to an online survey that was proposed by the municipal administration. The inhabitants could choose among three suggestions: “Ponte nel Sole”, “Ponte del Sole” and “Ponte al Sole”.

  1. What are the opening times of Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

To see all the opening days and times of Dossena Tibetan bridge, click on the word in capital letters LINK; you will be directed to the calendar of the specific experience.

  1. Are there particular restrictions for the access to Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

Yes, there are restrictions for the access to “Ponte nel Sole” and they concern:

  • Age, one must be at least 8 years old;
  • Waistline, between 60 and 120 cm;
  • Read the rules available at this LINK to see all details.
  1. How can I buy tickets for Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

You can buy tickets for “Ponte nel Sole” online, from this LINK. Please note that only a few amount of tickets is available on site, at Dossena InfoPoint and after checking on the website that the facility is actually open (refer to the calendar at this LINK).

  1. How much does the ticket for Dossena Tibetan Bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”, cost?

The cost of the ticket for “Ponte nel Sole” is 25€ per person; at this LINK you can buy your tickets. If you want to match other experiences such as the mines and/or the speleological park,  you can take advantage of a discount by purchasing tickets “reduced in price when purchased in combination with a visit to the mine/speleological park”.

  1. Are there discounts or special promotions to access Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

Yes, there are special discounts to access the bridge.
In a family of minimum 4 members (2 adults + 2 children between 8 and 20 years old), each person saves 5€ per ticket, paying 20.00€, you can buy your tickets at this LINK.
In a group of minimum 15 people, each person saves 5€ per ticket, paying 20.00€, you can buy your tickets at this LINK.

  1. How long does it take to cross Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

Crossing the bridge takes about 45 minutes, but the entire experience lasts about 1 hour and a half (included the 1 km path that leads to the starting point of the bridge and the briefing).

  1. How do you walk on Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

Walking on the bridge is like walking on any other itinerary. You will just have to interchange your steps on the central part of the tread of the structure (the “step” of the bridge), to have one foot at a time for each tread. This is the “secret” to avoid making the bridge swing, reducing substantially the chance to have problems with seasickness.

  1. How to reach Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel sole”, for who has already bought the ticket online?

If you have purchased your ticket for the Tibetan bridge in Dossena online, we recommend parking your car in one of the car parks in the town center. From there, you can go directly to the harness fitting point behind the Archpriest Church (in mid/high season) or directly to the bridge departure point (in low season). To reach the start of the bridge, follow the 1 km trail marked with yellow and blue signs indicating “Ponte nel Sole” from the back of the church until you reach the opposite side of the mountain from the town. You will return to the village by crossing the bridge itself, thus completing the loop.

  1. How to reach Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”, for who just wants to see the bridge?

For anybody who just wants to see the bridge, you will have to go behind the Archpresbyteral Church and walk on a 300-metres-path: the end of the bridge will be above your head.

  1. How to get dressed to cross Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

To cross the bridge, you will have to wear sportswear according to the season and appropriate shoes (trekking or sport shoes). They must be closed toe shoes, with shoelaces or clasp, and they must have non-slipper rubber sole.
It is forbidden to access the bridge with open toe shoes such as: beach slippers, flip-flops, clogs, espadrillas and/or any other shoe with leather sole, heels or wedge.
From this LINK you can read our company rules.

  1. What to do after Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

Once crossed the Tibetan bridge you can live many experiences, such as:

  • The Speleological Park, an adventure park inside the mines, that you can book at this LINK
  • The guided tour in the Dossena mines, LINK
  • “Il Becco” the gangway overhanging Parina Valley, LINK
  • Graffiti, drawn on the house walls, scattered through the streets, LINK
  • The tracks, you can find the one for you, according to the difficulty and the time you have, LINK
  • San Giovanni Battista, the first Baptismal Church of our territory, LINK
  • Typical products, from various types of cheese, to saffron and Gin, that you can buy visiting the farms on our territory, LINK
  • “Dimora storica” (“Historic House”) from Late Middle Ages, LINK
  1. What’s the longest suspended bridge in the world?

Dossena Tibetan bridge (Ponte nel Sole) is the longest Tibetan bridge without lateral side rods and with discontinuous tread in the world; it is 505 metres long with 1223 treads and the only attached parts of the structure are the starting and ending point. The maximum height is 120 metres.

  1. How was Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”, built?

Dossena Tibetan bridge was built creating a reinforced concrete “box” at the starting point. The “service ropes” were arranged inside the box, and they were tied to the ending point of the bridge using several steel tie-rods, which were inserted in the rock.
The service ropes were stretched using a helicopter and they were useful to draw the other 7 steel cables that represent the supporting part of the bridge. The building proceeded with the laying of the treads (the steps) thanks to specialised workers: once the first one was positioned and secured, the realisation proceeded with the second one and so on till all 1223 treads completed the bridge.

  1. How are reviews about Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

You can find reviews about Dossena Tibetan bridge at this LINK.

  1. How to redeem your Gift Card for Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

To redeem the gift card you have to book through our website www.visitdossena.it LINK.

Once you have indicated your name and tax seal (indicated in your ticket as “S.F.”), you will be able to proceed with the choice of date and time of your experience.

If you encounter any issues, we recommend sending an email to visitdossena@gmail.com indicating:

  • the alphanumeric codes on the voucher;
  • a reference name;
  • a telephone number;
  • the date and times for the activities, checking availability for redemption at this LINK.
  1. How do I redeem the promo code for the Tibetan Bridge in Dossena, the “Bridge in the Sun”?

To redeem the promo code for the guided tour of the Dossena mines, enter the alphanumeric code provided on the VisitDossena website (LINK) in the “Enter your promo code here” section. Then click on the arrow on the right to confirm that the code has been entered correctly. You will then be able to add the free tickets to your cart and choose the day and time for your experience.

  1. Can you change the date of your reservation for Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”?

You can change date based on availability of the following six (6) months, only by and no later than 2 (two) calendar days before the date previously selected, at the following conditions: paying an extra management fee of €5.00 if the variation occurs between 2 (two) and 5 (five) calendar days before the date you had previously bought, for free if the change occurs more than 5 (five) calendar days before the date you had previously bought.
At this LINK you can read the general conditions of our contract.

  1. What happens if Dossena Tibetan bridge, “Ponte nel Sole”, is closed due to bad weather?

In case the structure is to closed due to bad weather, you will be contacted the day before your reservation and you will be given a voucher to be used within 6 months from the issue date.