Take a canopy tour
Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours provide participants a birds-eye view of the cathedral-like forests of the Smokies while soaring high overhead on a system of overhead cables.
“When you get up in the trees and look down you see things from a whole new perspective,” said Lee Allison, one of the canopy rangers.
The canopy tour features a half-mile series of forest-enveloped zip-lines. The course zigzags over 20 acres using swinging sky bridges and platforms to navigate among the 11 zip-line sections.
Canopy rangers escort the tours, coaching people on the techniques of the zip-line as well as teaching them about the ecology and the cultural history of the area.
“It is a brand new experience, and the visitors are loving it,” said Carolyn Allison, media liaison for Nanatahala Gorge Canopy Tours. “Part of it is the adrenaline rush, but I think it is mostly the novelty of flying through the trees.”
The Canopy Tour appeals to the interests of just about anyone, from children to grandparents. It combines the sheer rush of a zip-line — satisfying to teens and young adults — with a nature experience.
“It gives families a chance to reconnect and bond,” Allison said.
Even teenagers who normally keep their parents at arm’s length are giving high-fives and patting dad on the shoulder by the time the adventure is over.
Each tour-goer is equipped with a helmet, full body harness, trolley, gloves, and a tether safety line. No experience is necessary. There’s plenty of encouragement provided along the way, including a practice zip-line before the tour starts.
“We make sure everybody is comfortable and has a chance to try the equipment before we get out on the course and it’s the real thing,” said Allison.
Practice proper ziplining
The Nantahala Canopy Tours take participants through multiple ecosystems, past hemlocks, into hardwoods, and through a deciduous forest packed with native flowering plants such as mountain laurel, dogwood, rhododendron, giant Frazier magnolia, rare umbrella magnolia, silver bells and many more. Canopy rangers will point out these natural features and will also share some of the cultural history of the gorge.
All flyers will need to arrive wearing collared shirts, longer shorts or cropped pants and require closed toed shoes. Harness seats will wrap around your upper thigh, shoulders, and waist, so shirts and pants should cover modestly. Long hair must be tied back and secured and please leave cell phones in the car.
All flyers must be in reasonably good physical condition. No women who are pregnant. No hard or soft casts. Flyers must be able to raise their arms over head to self regulate speed and braking. Canopy Rangers will provide safety instruction and back-up systems.
Age/Weight range: 10 years and 70 lbs to 250 lbs. Weight variations effect momentum when zipping.
More information
- Cost is $69 a person, with discounts for groups. 877.247.5535 or www.nantahalagorgecanopytours.com.
