Zipline Adventures in Asheville: Your Ultimate Guide to Thrilling Flights
Find Your Perfect Zipline Tour in Asheville
Take in the sights of Asheville from a new perspective—soaring hundreds of feet above the ground. From adrenaline‑packed, tree‑based courses to family‑friendly options, here’s a guide to the best zipline experiences in Asheville.
Go Far, Go Fast
If you’re looking for a heart‑pounding thrill, grab a friend and head out on the Mountaintop Tour at Navitat Canopy Adventures. This side‑by‑side experience features zips up to 350 feet high and stretches for nearly three‑quarters of a mile.
For those craving the ultimate rush, the 40‑minute ride from downtown Asheville to The Gorge delivers the steepest and fastest zipline tour in the country. The Gorge consists of 11 ziplines, three towering rappels, a sky bridge, and drops 1,100 vertical feet from start to finish—earning its reputation as the fastest zip in the nation. The course winds through 120 acres of forest, offering breathtaking views of more than 14,000 acres of lush mountain scenery and the Green River.
Another day trip takes you west to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Here, you can soar high above the trees on the NOC’s signature Mountaintop Zip Line, gliding more than 350 feet above the Nantahala River with 360‑degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the gorge below.
Zips in the City
For those who want to stay close to downtown, Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventure offers an urban tour that features 11 ziplines, three sky bridges, and towering adventure platforms with sweeping views of the city. All AZCA tours are fully guided and available to guests 10 years and older.
Kid‑Friendly Ziplines
KidZip was one of the first zipline tours in the United States designed specifically for children aged four to ten. The course includes nine ziplines ranging from 50 to 250 feet long and from ground level to 25 feet high. Four self‑guided climbing elements are also available, with adult escort required for children aged four to six.
Tree‑Based Adventures
Nature lovers will appreciate Navitat’s Treetop Tour, which is entirely tree‑based and uses no poles or artificial structures. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains just 20 minutes north of downtown Asheville, the course offers the chance to spot wildlife such as black bears, gray foxes, and cottontail rabbits among the Black Cherry and Maple trees.
French Broad Adventures, located about 25 minutes from downtown, features 10 separate lines, two rappels, and a unique treehouse deck accessed by a 100‑foot walkway through the treetops.
Asheville Treetops Adventure Park presents a physically challenging course with 60 unique climbing, jumping, swinging, and zipping challenges across more than 30 trees and poles. The experience is self‑guided and enhanced by “smart belays” technology that ensures guests remain attached to safety systems at all times.
The NOC also offers the Zip Line Adventure Park, or “ZLAP,” a short walk from the river. ZLAP features 16 aerial adventure elements, from beginner to advanced, along with a thrilling 600‑foot long dual zipline.
Explore All of Asheville’s Zipline Adventures
Header image courtesy of Navitat Canopy Adventures; downtown zipline and treetop park images courtesy of the Adventure Center of Asheville.
