Thrills and vistas abound in the Asheville area, where the best views can be accessed not only during hikes and scenic drives but also from the unique vantage point of a zipline. Easily accessible, the city’s top zipline adventures offer a safe, yet exciting means of checking out Asheville’s finest panoramas.
With so many options available, it can be difficult to settle on a single zipline adventure. Thankfully, no two treetop expeditions are exactly alike. The more ziplines you conquer, the more confidence you’ll have — and the more you’ll appreciate the natural beauty of the Asheville region.
As you plan sky-high escapades in the area, be sure to add at least one of the following destinations to your itinerary:
Asheville Treetops Adventure Center
85 Expo Dr, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 225-2921
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Photo credit: @transformsavannah
Conveniently situated near Interstate 240, the Asheville Treetops Adventure Center offers an accessible means of ziplining for those staying in the heart of the city. The park is home to a variety of thrilling activities, including not only zipline tours but also adventure trails and a bike park.
Asheville Treetops Adventure Center offers a decidedly urban take on a favorite regional activity. During your zipline tour, you’ll witness not only the lush beauty for which the area is known but also the remarkable Asheville skyline. Enjoy all this from heights exceeding 70 feet — and at thrilling speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
The standard tour includes ‘warm-up’ zip lines that lead to an eventual line extending 1,200 feet. If you’re short on time, try the express option, which includes seven zip lines and a sky bridge.
In addition to its standard and express zipline tours, the Asheville Treetops Adventure Center offers a unique option known as KidZip. Designed for children under the age of 10, this one-of-a-kind zipline helps youngsters conquer their fear of heights while also providing valuable peace of mind for their parents.
Navitat Canopy Adventures
242 Poverty Branch Rd Barnardsville, NC 28709
(828) 626-3700
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Photo Credit: @lilyadunskiy
If you’re willing to go a few miles beyond Asheville to check out Navitat Canopy Adventures, you’ll be rewarded with an awe-inspiring journey through — and above — the remarkable forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Navitat offers multiple options, which allow you to craft your dream zipline adventure as you see fit. Both of the company’s tours are amenable to beginners, although experienced zipliners will be pleased to find unique elements that keep these adventures feeling fresh.
As Navitat’s original canopy expedition, the Treetop Tour includes zip lines that span up to 1,250 feet and reach heights of 200 feet. The tour also features multiple sky bridges, a spiral tree staircase, and the joy of rappeling to the forest floor.
The Mountaintop Tour adds a social element to the experience by allowing guests to zipline side-by-side at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. If you just can’t get enough of the zip-lining fun, you’re welcome to try both tours as part of an adventure package.
French Broad Adventures
12 Good Adventures Ln, Marshall, NC 28753
(828) 649-0486
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Credit: @dubbbombexplosive
Located just outside of Asheville in Madison County, French Broad Adventures consists of a ten-line canopy tour complete with lovely views of the mountains and foliage. Altogether, French Broad’s ziplines span over a mile. The journey also includes a trip to the mountaintop in a UTV, which provides additional views from the forest floor.
Another unique element that makes this tour worthwhile: is a treehouse, which is cleverly integrated into the course to create a truly memorable treetop experience. Designed by treehouse experts featured on Animal Planet and the DIY Channel, this beautiful enclave provides the perfect contrast to the thrills of the zipline. Take a moment to pause and absorb the serenity.
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13078 U.S. Hwy 19, Bryson City, NC 28713
(828) 488-7230
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Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) functions as both an outdoors-oriented boutique and a concierge booking company. The shop is conveniently located at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, but the company’s exclusive zipline tour takes on a completely different environment: the Nantahala Gorge. During each expedition, aerial experts lead zipliners from one ridge to the other. This journey certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, but the guides offer plenty of encouragement to help adventurers conquer the gorge.
If you decide to zipline with NOC, be sure to carve out plenty of time. Tours last, at minimum, three hours. During this time, you will receive instruction in what NOC refers to as ‘ground school.’ Once you’re thoroughly prepared, you’ll take on eight ziplines, including a half-mile Mega Zip that takes you 350 feet above ground for undeniably magnificent views.
Canopy Ridge Farm
7115 US-64 Lake Lure, NC 28746
828-625-4500
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Photo Credit: @travelguidesasheville
An idyllic location within the Hickory Nut Gorge sets Canopy Ridge Farm apart, as does its proximity to the beautiful Lake Lure. Home of the beloved Zipzilla, this tour provides a wonderful perspective of the Blue Ridge foothills. Both kids and adults can enjoy the experience, making Canopy Ridge an ideal destination for adventurous families.
Canopy Ridge’s ziplines may not be as long or reach heights as extensive as other parks throughout the Asheville area, but therein lies the appeal for many adventurers, who might not be up to the region’s more thrilling parks. Lasting just under two hours, these tours are long enough to provide a great taste of the ziplining experience — and short enough to fit into a packed day of Blue Ridge sightseeing.
No Asheville experience quite matches the excitement or beauty of ziplining, which provides a wonderful new perspective of one of North Carolina’s most remarkable regions. Embrace your adventurous side and head to the treetops for the ultimate Asheville adventure.
