The Two Sky Bridges at Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata — Dynomite & Wind Walker

Most people who visit Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata know about the suspension bridge. It's in every photo, it's what people come for, and it's the moment everyone talks about after. What most people don't know is that there are now two suspension sky bridges on the route — the original Dynomite Sky Bridge in Phase 1, and the Wind Walker Sky Bridge added in the 2026 Phase 2 expansion.

If you've done the route before 2026, you've only crossed one of them.

The Dynomite Sky Bridge (Phase 1)

The Dynomite Sky Bridge is the signature crossing of the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata — the one in every photo and the moment most people describe as the highlight of their trip. It sits in the Sector 6 area, reached after completing the most physically demanding Phase 1 climbing (The Pump). By the time you cross it, you've already earned it.

The bridge hangs hundreds of feet above the river, crossing the inner gorge from one canyon wall to the other. It sways in wind — the official AGVF site notes that windy conditions make the bridges "sway a lot" — which adds to the experience for most people and is terrifying in the best possible way for others. Structurally it's solid. Psychologically, it's a full commitment.

How to reach it: Complete The Outlaw (S1–S2), Land Before Climb (S3), The Pump (S4), and The Soup approach. The bridge comes at the end of The Soup section, roughly 5–7 hours into the full day for most parties. Half-day groups who take the Abduction exit earlier won't reach it — the Dynomite Bridge is a full-day milestone.

The Wind Walker Sky Bridge (Phase 2)

Added in the 2026 Phase 2 expansion, the Wind Walker Sky Bridge crosses the canyon's western prow — a different crossing with longer views down the outer canyon than the Dynomite. Where Dynomite feels like an inner gorge crossing with walls close on both sides, Wind Walker puts you out on the exposed face with open sky in multiple directions.

Wind Walker is the gateway to T-Rex Terrace (S7) and the full Phase 2 experience. To reach it, you continue past the Dynomite Sky Bridge area and commit to Phase 2's western prow. It's a natural point of no easy return — past Wind Walker, you're in Phase 2 territory and should be prepared for the harder sectors ahead.

How to reach it: Complete Phase 1 through The Soup, cross the Dynomite Sky Bridge, and continue into Phase 2. Wind Walker comes before T-Rex Terrace (S7). Add 1–2 hours to your Phase 1 time estimate to get here. Starting by 6–7am is recommended if Wind Walker is a goal.

Can You Do Both in One Day?

Yes — but it's a long day. Crossing both bridges means completing Phase 1 (including the Dynomite) and continuing into Phase 2 far enough to reach Wind Walker. Plan for 9–10+ hours car-to-car. Fitness and an early start are the two non-negotiables. Multi-day trips where you camp nearby and tackle Phase 2 fresh on day two are worth considering for groups who want to take their time.

What the Bridges Feel Like

Both bridges are via ferrata-equipped with cable handrails on both sides. You stay clipped to the cable at all times using your via ferrata lanyard — the same lanyard you've been using throughout the route. There's no additional gear required and no special technique. The challenge is purely psychological: walking a suspended bridge with significant exposure below while staying smooth with your lanyard transitions.

First-timers typically pause at the entrance, look down once, and then move quickly across. People who've done it before tend to slow down in the middle and actually look around. The views from both bridges — straight down the canyon and across to the far walls — are genuinely hard to describe. Most people rate the bridge crossing as the single best moment of the day.

Gear Required

To cross either sky bridge legally and safely, you need a via ferrata-specific lanyard (not a standard climbing quickdraw), a sit harness, and a climbing helmet. This is required for the entire route, not just the bridges. Gorge Gear Co rents a complete kit — harness, Petzl Scorpio lanyard, and Black Diamond helmet — for $40, with self-service 24/7 pickup from our Roosevelt locker on US-40, directly on your route from Salt Lake City and Provo to Vernal.

Ready to Cross?

Book your gear online, pick it up self-service on the way to Ashley Gorge, and go find out what it feels like to stand on a swinging bridge six hundred feet above the river. One bridge is memorable. Two is something else entirely.