The Gorge Zipline

Had a blast here. Friendly crew, well organized, and awesome views from the zip lines. Gage and Annabel were our guides and made the entire experience full of laughs and good times.

Great experience. Guides were friendly, funny and helpful. They were well informed about the surroundings. Caleb, Chris and Christian were excellent guides.
I am somewhat nervous about heights, but the Gorge is arranged where I was not made to climb at all, but left off a platform. Never experienced any concerns about heights at all!
Well worth the time and money. A memorable experience!

We tried it on the first day they were open for business. Every bit as good as the zipline tours I have taken in Costa Rica. The owners and staff are friendly and helpful. The only reason for not giving five stars is that it is pricey.

Hands down, best zip lining experience EVER. (Considering I’ve only gone once before, but this place set the bar high haha).
Our tour guides were Kato and Karen, they were so interactive with the group, funny, helpful, and just fun to be with, they were honestly the ones who made this experience what it was, which was amazing!
The sites that you see while zip lining are breathe taking, all the naked trees (this was during the beginning of February), the mountains, it’s just something you don’t see AT ALL living in Miami, FL.
The course is 11 zip lines, 3 repels, and one sky bridge, which starts from the back of The Gorge and leads all the way to the bottom on the mountain and then a van meets you there and takes you back up. They say the tour usually last between 3 – 4 hours depending on how big the tour group is. It cost $ 97 per person or if you sign up with a group of 8 or more it’ll be cheaper at $ 84 (all this info is on their website lol).
But I love this place, if I ever find myself back in NC, I’m without a doubt doing this again, especially if it’s during a different season like summer or fall, to see the trees covered in leaves and the changing colors, just wow. Thanks The Gorge for an awesome experience!

In NC for vacay and my group of friends wants to go ziplining. Afraid of heights, squealing like a little girl at the thought, and trembling down to my little pinky toes (but totally down to go still)? Yes, that would be me lol.
Definitely RSVP! They send out small groups (no more than 10 patrons per hour) every hour with 2 instructors/​ziplining pros.
Said pros will take your life in their hands, teach you the methods you need to survive in case they fall asleep on the job (I’m totally just kidding), and show you all that you need to do for the next 3 hours to zip down their 11 beautifully scenic lines, rappel down 3 taaaaall Ents (or trees), and walk (or crab-​walk at a snail’s pace, in my case) across their sky bridge.
Our instructors were Kouta (Koda? Kota? Sorry Coda!) and Karen. :) After teaching my group (7 of us!) all we needed to know to get through the zip, Kouta went out first. And then it’s a quick choice of kicking group members off your tree, haha. (Jk.) Karen sets up the next person to go, and they go with a zzzzip! down the line. So on and so forth until the last person has gone, and then she brought up the caboose.
Also! They have «zip stops» set up at the end of every zipline, which means that no one is in charge of your braking. The «zip stop» mechanism does all the braking for you. (You basically allow your anchor to hit the zip stop, and that slows down your zipping so that you can make it to the tree without kissing the trunk.) If you weigh closer to 250 lbs, you will make it all the way to the platform. The closer you are to 70 lbs, the more you’ll have to use your biceps to «sloth-​climb» your way back along the line and to the next platform. Reeling myself in was not a problem. :)
Karen and Kouta were awesome with making sure everyone was OK. So, if you’re like me and severely afraid of falling to your death… lolol no worries. You definitely get used to it, and it becomes So. Much. Fun. :) K & K had awesome customer service — always joking with us, calling us by name (which is amazing! I can’t remember names if I meet more than 3 new people, lol), and hooking us up with hot cocoa/​water/​Chewy granola bars halfway through.
You get pictures for $ 25 ($ 10 off their original $ 35 if you do some liking on their FB at time of purchase) on a USB. And the pictures were great. :) Loved all the shots! We also took pictures with our cell phones, but just be sure you’re zipping them up tight in whatever jacket/​pants pocket. If it falls, it is gooooonnne foreevvverrrr.
Last but not least: I would LOVE to come back in the fall to see the trees with colorful leaves. Went in early Feb — trees were pretty barren, but the view was still gorgeous. Absolutely loved the experience.

Went last Saturday with good friends/​fellow Unilocalers and I must say, this was one of my favorite experiences here in North Carolina. (Thanks for finding this spot, Belle!!!)
Our reservation was at 10 AM (reservations only) and we arrived a little early, so we had the opportunity to admire the view from their balcony and take pictures (they have cute log seats and comfy couches for waiting). This was also the perfect time to empty bladders and warm up with their complimentary teas and coffee (hopefully you wouldn’t need to urinate after drinking later). After filling out our paperwork and getting weighed in (weight limit 70 – 250 lbs), we went into the gear room to get fitted into our harnesses and helmets. Oh, and they tell you to remove loose or poofy beanies/​hats so the helmets could fit properly. If you have a GoPro, which was in my honey’s possession, they will gladly attach it to your helmet so you can record the experience. No GoPro? No problem. They also take pictures and videos for you and you may purchase the digital package for only $ 25 (originally $ 35 but there’s a Facebook deal for $ 10 off) that comes with a nifty USB. You can split the cost with a group and just share USBs or email the content to each other.
We ventured through 11 ziplines, 3 rappels, and 1 suspension bridge through 3 and a half hours and survived all thanks to our awesome guides Kota and Karen! They were exponentially nice and even learned our names to the point we talked on a first name basis throughout the tour. Talking to them was like talking to old friends, catching up with life on what we’re doing now and what we want to pursue. It made the experience more intimate and fun, as if we were all really good friends just hanging out. No pun intended :)
As Kota exclaimed, The Gorge is the steepest and fastest zipline in the nation, and I could totally testify to it. Not only was it a thrill ride, it was also a scenic experience, and I was able to grasp every inch of beauty despite the speed I was going. You would think it could be a one time experience, but I went during winter. That means the game changes in the spring and summer as there will be more foliage and greenery!
So, some tips I’d like to share if you’re going to brave the zipline during the winter:
– Dress warm. Obviously. And yes, that includes scarves.
– Wear a jacket/​pants with zippered pockets. If you’re brave enough to go with your phone, at least have pockets that close so your valuables won’t fall off.
– Double your socks. We all wore one pair and our toes got numb.
– Stretch. I didn’t have a problem but some people got a little sore in the arms and core due to tensing of the muscles while grabbing or remaining in a sitting position.
– Eat a big meal prior to coming!!! They provide a light snack (granola bars) and beverages (hot cocoa and water) but only midway. You definitely won’t want to miss out on an experience due to a hunger headache!
I already miss this place. Thanks for the memories! #KMBASroadtrip2016

Great experience. Went with my brothers. Had Jay and Alan as our guides. Friendly, knowledgeable, chill. Memorable time in a beautiful place.

We came to nc for our family reunion and let me say this trip was an amazing one cuz we stopped at your zip line! Thanks Rachel. Your amazing !!!

I wanted to try zip lining in the Asheville area. There were several zipline locations to choose from. My friend, who had ziplined before, suggested The Gorge in Saluda.
We got to the Gorge on a Monday morning without prior reservations and only had to wait about an hour for the next zipline tour.
We signed some release papers and were weighed (zipliners must be between 70 – 250 lbs). We were grouped with 4 other people and 2 guides, Keegan and Jess. They took us to a room to get suited up (harness, hat, gloves). They put us «fledglings» through flight school. We were instructed on how to hold onto the handles, how to position the body, how to brake, and how to tow yourself in to the platform. Keegan and Jess provided great instructions and were very entertaining as well.
We were then off to the 1^st line. Keegan gave us a description of the line and a final set of instructions and he went to the next platform. I was next. Jess connected my harness to the zipline shuttle. She moved one of my safety lines to the zipline. She waited for Keegan’s ok to send me over. She moved the 2^nd safety to the zipline and I was off. Wow! What a rush! As I sped towards the 2^nd platform, Keegan, gave me the signal to move my hands from the handlebars to the rope section of the harness to prepare for the brake. I stopped short of the platform and had to tow myself in.
Altogether, there were 11 ziplines, 3 rappels, and 1 suspension bridge. The tour lasted about 3 hours. After the last zipline, we waited for the bus to take us back to the entrance. Water and light snacks were provided midway through the tour and at the end. $ 89 for 11 lines is a good price. Pictures are taken along the way and can be purchased for an additional $ 35 ($ 10 off when checking in on Facebook).
Some advice — bring sunscreen and bug spray. Stay hydrated (it can get really hot) but keep in mind that you can’t use the bathroom during the tour. Also, don’t carry anything that can fall out of pockets while zip lining. If anything falls out, it can’t retrieved.
I would highly recommend The Gorge. The price is reasonable, the guides (Keegan & Jess) were very good. The entrance, bathroom, and waiting area were painted black and had a cool urban industrial vibe.

Holy crap — ton of awesome! I have zipped before but never in a multiple line setting like this. It seems a little pricey when you pay before you see it and experience it but it all comes into perspective when you are there. Is it really too much to step into a beautiful mountaintop zip house? Too much to have an incredible, friendly staff, each of whom at 8:30 am has a smile and takes time to chat if you seem ready and willing? Too much to NOT have to hike up to the first zip with your equipment on because they smartly built zip #1 right in the deck? Too much to have world class, informative guides (ours were Charlotte and Anna) who were a nice mix of friendly and dead on business (there’s a lot to do hooking and unhooking folks from wires up in the trees)? Too much to have the opportunity to see nature from the treetops? Too much when you eealize the time and effort that went into buolding the facility with arborists and world class builders who took into consideration the elder trees and worked their way around said elder trees? Not so much, really. This place is stunning on several level. Staff, facility, Zip-​line and conservation. I will be talking about this trip for a while.
Well done The Gorge, I look forward to our next meeting!
Tip: do the quick drop at the end. It is well worth almost wetting your pants. (or actually wetting your pants, no shame).

Awesome! If there were a better word, I would use it. This is fast and fun! Sam and Karen were incredible guides with lots of patience and lots of fun!

This was a great experience, but it had some pros and cons.
Pros:
The views are beautiful, you are actually zipping through a gorge, so it is worth seeing. If you are scared or apprehensive, the staff are really encouraging and help you through those emotions. The two staff members who go out with you are friendly, and very helpful, plus they take photos of your trip that you can purchase at the end. Mid-​way through, they give you a snack (granola bar) and drink (water or lemonade). The zip lines are fast and exhilarating, but it doesn’t give you that feeling roller coasters do that make your stomach feel like it’s coming out of your mouth. So if you hate that feeling (like me), don’t worry it’s not that bad.
Cons:
We did not eat before going, and I didn’t realize the trip takes about three hours, so when we left I was starving. Plan to be out there for three hours. Plus I went during the summer, and the trip to zipline was unplanned, so I forgot to put on sunblock. I am really fair skinned, so I burnt, so remember to use sunblock. Teams are sent out every 15 minutes, and there was a large team in front of my team, so we had to wait forever to zip to the next platform. After about three ziplines, the exhilaration wears off, so standing around on the platform waiting for the next platform to become free is boring and makes you wish the trip was shorter. Especially since our tour guides talked about the different trees a lot, and did tree trivia which is not the most exciting conversation. I am kind of light, compared to my other team members, so if you are light and plan to go you should know you have to do more work. The zipline brake system stop lighter people way before the platform, so you have to pull yourself in. You need to have the strength to do this, and I didn’t mind it, but I know a more frail person might have trouble doing so. The last con is that it’s pricey! We paid $ 95 per person, and at the end you can buy a USB flash drive with the pictures for $ 30.

First Class from The Lodge, with hot tea, hot chocolate or coffee to the actual zipline. The guides are also great. Have always been afraid of heights, but conquered that with the first two zips! Tip the guides – ours took great pictures of our trip. We went with a group of 8, and can not wait to return. Great Time!

I’m not really into zip lining, but we took a family member here while she was visiting and it was fun. The staff really made it awesome. This place is well managed, and looking out over the Green River Gorge was the best part! I think this is a great family activity. Try not to worry about being scared– there are a million safety precautions and the view really is nice!

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!
Great staff, great fun, awesome looking outpost, and amazingness all around.
You will have a blast going here and it is a must see in NC.
The fastest and steepest zipline in the U.S. I believe!

I won’t be able to adequately describe the awesome that is The Gorge. My group consisted of 6 40’s-50s year old women. Although all were athletic, only 2 had zip lined before. As was to be expected there was quite a bit of trepidation before we started our journey. Our guides Beth and Chris were beyond awesome. They made us feel so at ease, so safe, and were a blast to hang out with! I can’t stress enough how safe this zip line is. Yes, it’s fast, but with the stopper, there’s no chance anyone can slam into a tree. After the first zip, we were all in. The scenery was not to be believed. The views were gorgeous at every turn. We even saw 2 deers.
We had a scheduling snafu and the manager nicely worked with us to reschedule us for later the same day. All the staff were great! We will definitely be back!

MUST DO.
The Gorge is a one-​of-​a-​kind zipline experience, literally.
Whether you’re flying solo, with family and friends, or managing a large group — The Gorge is a seamless adventure with skilled guides, a great atmosphere and a unique way to see nature’s extreme beauty.
I brought a large college outdoor adventures group and we had a blast. It was a great way to see the Green River gorge from the top (we also saw the bottom by kayaking with Green River Adventures).
I’m excited to come back with changing seasons. When we zipped, the woods had a dense fog silhouetted by bare trees. I can’t imagine being enclosed in green leaves, or with fall falling it colors!
Need to know:
— Reservation only
— Weight limit between — 70−250lbs
— See website for more info

SPOILER ALERT!
— 11 zips
— multiple rappels
— sky-​bridge
— steepest, fastest in USA
— high above trees to walking on the ground
— 3 hour tour

Wow. We had a great time! The staff at The Gorge is very friendly and give you such confidence in their abilities and made sure we were safe. They even told us about the trees and other nature information about the area.
It was an amazing adventure! If you are in the area you should check it out!

Wow.
My son and I went to The Gorge on Saturday and I was filled with anticipation. Like many people, I have a slight fear of heights, but the staff at The Gorge dispel those fears immediately. The safety equipment is foolproof and there is truly no way anything can happen. So once you get past the fear part, it’s all about the fun.
And what fun it is. 11 zip lines, three rapels, and a «sky bridge». We had two guides — Jay and Kevin– with us. Both had great personalities, and both made sure we were all safe and that we were enjoying ourselves as much as possible. They made many clever observations to make everyone feel at ease, and even gave us some horticultural lessons along the way.
It was an amazing rush, and I can’t say enough about how well we were treated and what an amazing facility they have at The gorge. Everything is first class all the way. Could not recommend it more.

This was better than I could have hoped or even imagined. I have been ziplining before, but this is much more than just going on a zipline. This is a tour of pristine Western North Carolina mountain canopy over ELEVEN zip lines, a sky bridge, and three effortless but thrilling rappels. My group had «Soup» and Devon as our guides. They, like the entire operation, paid meticulous attention to detail. They were great about pointing out various massive, old trees and other striking, natural features that surround you at each platform.
I have been skydiving, among other thrill-​seeking adventures, so I suppose I was not really intimidated by the tremendous heights. All the same, the thrill was amazing.
On my tour, I was grouped with three generations of one family, and it was really quite moving to see those folks enjoy a tremendous family-​bonding experience. Our guides did a great job of inspiring confidence for the more trepidatious members of the group thanks largely to the thorough efforts employed uniformly throughout the trip to follow their robust safety procedures. It all boils down to the basic principle that you are always securely fastened to some immovable object, from the moment you step on the first platform until the moment you touch solid-​ground at the end.
While it might not be great for the *incurably* timid, I foresee a great future for this new addition to the Western North Carolina recreation landscape. If you’re not from here, this place alone is worth the trip, let alone the many other great things about WNC that attract tourists and visitors year-​round. Personally, I am getting excited thinking about my next time.