The Gorge Zip Line: Taking Western North Carolina by Treetop

     The Green River Game Lands in the Green River Gorge consists of 14,000 acres, much of it old-growth trees with some of the cypress-tupelo trees dating back 800 years. The Green River, so named for its dark green color, runs right through the middle of it. The Green River Gorge also offers a look at one of the most diverse ecosystems of any river in the eastern United States. The flora and fauna of the Green River Gorge are on display and the Gorge Zip Line offers a unique view of this ecosystem.    

     Zip lines have become very popular as a means to accessing more remote, wilderness areas and there is no better means to get a bird’s eye view of the Green River Gorge than The Gorge Zip Line. 

     The Gorge advertises itself as America’s steepest and fastest zip line canopy tour and the zip line takes you right into the canopy covering the Green River Gorge. The Gorge offers 11 zip lines that are tree based, covering one and one-fourth miles, with a total descent of 1100 feet. The zip line tour also includes a sky bridge.

     When I was researching the Saluda Historic Depot and Museum the tour guide that was showing me around and detailing the history of the railroad and the depot in Saluda, he suggested taking the Gorge Zip Line Canopy tour. He had taken the zip line and he said the thing he was most impressed with was that the tour guides emphasized safety, first and foremost. My tour guide at the Depot and Museum was an elderly gentleman and he said the zip line tour was the first time he had done anything like that and it was well worth it.

     The Gorge’s website, thegorgezipline.com, has all of the information that you need as far as requirements, packages, and pricing and the website also has videos of the zip line tour. The tour offers a unique look at an area that is still a wilderness area and you get to access the Green River Gorge at treetop level.

– Dan Gibbs