World’s Best Zip Lines
Traveler intern Daniel Bortz straps in to find zip line adventures for all riders, all occasions, across the globe.
A pair of feet dangles over a terrain of active volcanoes, spurts of lava seeping out and flowing down the sides. Another pair sails through a thick forest, abundant foliage on both sides, breaking to an open landscape of mountains and streams. The wind gusts against your face, your body gliding smoothly against a backdrop of fuzzy blue and gray skies.
Views like these can be found along some of the world’s best zip lines. Riders, equipped with only a harness and helmet, coast through the sky, glimpsing an unobstructed view of the world below. Originally a kid’s contraption used in playgrounds and backyard treehouses, zip lines have become popular activities for tourists, like the zip line rides long offered to vacationers through Costa Rica‘s rich canopy.
But more recently, a new class of zip lines has emerged, one with steeper, taller, and altogether more intense courses cropping up across the globe — transforming this once basic cable and pulley system into an adventure, speed and suspense to match. The routine is the same: attach yourself to a metal cable and then let the zip line do all the work. Only now the starting point is much higher, like the 918-foot tall zip line in Sun City, South Africa. Surprisingly, these zip lines are still low risk, statistically safer than driving in a car or flying on an airplane.
So, with my nerves slightly settled and harness tightly fastened, I’ve set out to find some of the world’s best zip lines.
World’s Steepest | Adrenaline Junkie’s Delight
WHERE: Sun City, South Africa
From the top, you can barely make out the landing point. At more than a mile long and with speeds of up to 100 miles an hour, this South African zip line claims to be the world’s fastest and tallest. Riders often go down in pairs, gliding headfirst in tandem harnesses as they tear through the sky. But don’t worry: a wing the size of a small kite is fastened between your feet, keeping your legs still and your body straight to land on target.
Canopy Cruiser | Family Affair
WHERE: Monteverde, Costa Rica
Synonymous for its zip line tours since their introduction in the 1970s, Costa Rica boasts a unique opportunity to see rainforest wildlife firsthand. Nestled among some of the country’s oldest trees, these zip lines lift riders high above the forest floor, rising over 200-foot trees as they zip from one platform to the next. Along the way, make friends with the monkeys, toucans, and scarlet macaws who call the woods home. Night tours for views of the forest’s nocturnal creatures and active volcanoes are also available.
Big Island Breezer | Romantic Couples’ Retreat
WHERE: North Kohala, Hawaii
Kohala’s northern coastline offers pristine views of Hawaii’s natural reserves. Enjoy a smooth, relaxing ride above endless mosses, crystal-blue water full of tropical fish, and ohia lehuas, indigenous trees with large, twisting branches and red blossoms. Fresh guava and ginger combine to create a rich, fresh scent, further complemented by bird songs delivered by the island’s tropical inhabitants.
Mountain Climber | Friends in High Places
WHERE: Salida, Colorado
Gather the gang and head to Colorado for sweeping vistas of the high desert and open canyon. There’s a bed of hot springs formations and a healthy supply of colorful boulders — this is the Rockies, after all. And bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and bears are just a few of the canyon residents you’ll pass while traversing 2,000 feet aboard six separate zip lines. It’s a three-hour journey through a region marked by lime kiln ruins from the 1890s and dramatic cliffs, some 300 million years old.
The Great Zip | History and Adventure
WHERE: Simatai, China
It winds up and down, through grasslands and plateaus, over mountain ranges and across deserts. Nearly 5,500 miles long, the Great Wall of China dates to the Qin dynasty in 221 B.C. and remains the world’s largest man-made structure. So, after learning about more than 2,000 years of history, a carefree ride on the zip line complements a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors walking the wall in Simatai whip over a large river, riding from one end of Simatai to the other, snagging views of the Great Wall behind.
Photo: Courtesy of Costa Rican Trails
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park