From tropical rainforests to alpine peaks, these high-speed adventures take thrill-seekers to new heights.
Dashing horizontally through the air with great
speed from great heights, reckoning the scenery below with a blurry vision is what makes thrill-seekers throng to indulge in zip lining. Here’s a list of the world's most thrilling zip lines.
Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe, California
Stretching beyond 3300 feet (1.01 km) in length with a matching 525-foot vertical descent, the Blue Streak zip line, belonging to Heavenly Mountain Resort is among the longest and fastest in the US. Riders reach breakneck speed during the drop which is compatible only with Seattle's iconic Space Needle. Their recent addition, Hot Shot Zip Line, is capable of clicking 40 miles per hour (64.37 km/h) as it inclines down a 1,000-foot (0.3 kilometers) mountainside terrain. The sweeping views of Pyramid Peak, Mt. Tallac, and Lake Tahoe only add to the charm.
EcoZip Flying Fox Adventures, Auckland, New Zealand
There are three side-by-side zip lines that stretch above the spectacular native flora and fauna on this Waiheke island facility. Fly alongside your friends through this 656-foot (200-meter) long ride for an exhilarating shared experience. Located remotely, it can only be reached by ferry through the Hauraki Gulf.
ZipRider at Icy Strait Point, Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Literally zipping through the icy-cold air, this zip line situated 1,320 meters above Alaskan tundra competes for its 5,500 feet (1.68 kilometers) span in 90 seconds flat. It can reach 65 miles per hour (104.61 km/h) owing to its chilling vertical construct. Located on Inside Passage, a coastal route on a private tourist island, Icy Strait Point, ZipRider has three parallel lines that allow riders to race to the bottom.
Jaguar Cave Zipline, Belize
A limestone cliff serves as the launchpad of this zip line at the height of 500 meters above the dense cohune -palm populated forest. The experience of soaring through the open-air Jaguar Cave continues with floating into a sacred Mayan chamber followed by a quirky narrow hike culminating in front of a frozen waterfall. Incidentally, it’s a short hike through the thick jungle, that’ll take you to the starting point.