Our beautiful Asheville area is filled with breathtaking mountain ranges and millions of acres of forests. At the Sourwood Inn, we love to share everything outdoors- from our serene patios and nature trails to our blogs and maps about walking trails and waterfalls. This blog gives you a new perspective to see Asheville- by souring hundreds of feet above the ground and over the treetops. Here is our guide and everything you need to know about Ziplining in Asheville.
Different Options for Zipling in Asheville
For many guests, an Asheville getaway includes driving the Blue Ridge Parkway or hiking the many trails in our forests. . Looking for a bit of adventure and seeing the mountain ranges from a different vantage point? Consider a day of ziplining in Asheville. We have outlined four options that are easily accessible from the Sourwood Inn.
These top Asheville ziplines offer a safe adventure to see the breathtaking panoramic views of our Blue Ridge Mountains. With so many ziplining options available, we have outlined below the different features of each tour. The more zip lines you experience, the more you’ll want to come back to try the other areas and see the ziplines in different seasons. Nothing beats seeing the fall colors while zipping over the tree lines:)
Navitat
First on the list is Navitat, located in North Asheville and about a 30-minute drive from the inn. It’s a nature lover’s paradise. You can choose from a tree-line tour that includes zipping from tree to tree, crossing sky-bridges, and descending ropes in a true Appalachian forest on a one-of-a-kind eco-journey through Moody Cove OR the aerial tour that is an amazing side-by-side aerial zipline with jaw-dropping speeds and heights make this a thrillingly unforgettable experience! You can also sign up for both adventures in one day. We decided on the Aerial Tour Adventure and enjoyed every moment.
This well-thought-through experience zips you through three different lines traversing a secluded 242-acre mountain cove with 1,200 feet of elevation change. Fly above the treetops on breathtaking zip lines up to 350 feet in height, ranging from 360 feet to 3,600 feet in length, and at speeds up to 65 mph! Navitat is well known and rated among the nation’s best by CNN, USA Today, The New York Times, Lonely Planet, Forbes Travel Guide, Outside Magazine, and many more.
Navitat has thought through the whole experience and provides fun games and comfortable seating to relax before your scheduled tour. They even have picnic areas if you want to bring a snack or sandwich to enjoy before or after your adventure.
The Gorge
About an hour’s drive from Sourwood is the Gorge, the steepest, fastest zipline tour in the USA. You’ll start your adventure perched on the rim of the famous Green River Gorge- step off and soar from tree to treetop, dropping an unprecedented 1,100 feet in elevation through 105 acres of old growth and protected forest. The Gorge comprises 11 zip lines, three towering rappels, and a sky bridge. You’ll witness breathtaking views of more than 14,000 acres of lush mountain scenery and the Green River during your ride.
Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventure
For those that want to stay close to the city and a less strenuous zipline, check out Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventure. It is an urban tour encompassing 11 zip lines, three sky bridges, and soaring adventure towers that offer sweeping views of downtown Asheville. You’ll soar high above the trees and glide more than 350 feet above the Nantahala River below, with spectacular 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala Gorge.
French Broad Adventures
French Broad Adventures about 45 minutes from the inn, features ten separate lines and two rappels, plus a treehouse deck accessed by a 100-foot walkway through the treetops. The family-owned tour company also offers whitewater rafting in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Tips for your Asheville Ziplining adventure
- Wear comfortable clothing and good hiking shoes. For the Navitat tour you do hike up to reach the upper zipline.
- Wear sunscreen. Depending on which tour you decide on you can be out in the sunshine for 4+ hours
- If you bring your phone, bring a secured protected case that is attached to your body
- It’s recommended you leave everything in your car and leave your keys with the check-in desk
- Try to calm your nerves- all of these companies have rigorous safety procedures and gear. You’ll enjoy the views alot more if you are not nervous
- Come hydrated before your tour. Naviat had a fresh water station at the top but it’s not convenient to carry your own bottle
Come Stay with us at the Sourwood Inn
The Sourwood Inn is located in North Asheville, just a few miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway and 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. Our mountain lodge is a perfect central location for your Asheville Ziplining adventure. During your getaway, explore the beautiful mountain towns that include great dining, art galleries, and shops.
