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Zip Lining In North Georgia: History, Safety, & Operators

Have you ever wanted to feel like you are flying through the air? Have you imagined feeling the wind across your face and watching the scenery behind you disappear as you sail across the landscape below? Unfortunately, most people keep their feet on the ground and miss fulfilling the fantasy of flight.

However, on your next North Georgia getaway vacation, you can come close to experiencing flight like a bird by scheduling a zip-lining tour for your family. Many zip-lining tours offer different views of the North Georgia Mountains and are close to the luxury cabins in Helen, GA. While zip-lining through the mountains of North Georgia is a great way to add to the enjoyment of your cabin rental in Helen, Georgia. We thought you might want to learn a little more before taking flight. How much do you know about zip line facts, history, and safety?

Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

Zip Line Facts and History

Ziplining may seem like a modern-day sport, but the first known reference to zip-lining for pleasure was in “The Invisible Man” by HG Wells. The story was published in 1897, and the zip line was an amusement ride at a fair.

Modern-day zip lines were started to make the remote areas of Central America accessible to scientists. These tropical forests are nearly impossible to traverse quickly and safely. Ziplines allow scientists easier access.

Ziplining isn’t just a thrilling adventure, it is also a reliable way of transporting both people and goods across waterways, canyons, and gorges. A zip line can be designed and built to accommodate specific transportation tasks.

Mountaineers use a similar method of traversing an open space called a “Tyrolean Traverse.” This allows climbers to cross on a rope secured between two different points.

Photo by Joseph Pearson on Unsplash 

Zip Line Safety

Before you depart your cabin rental in Helen, GA, take a few minutes to prepare for a safe ride. Ensuring the safety of your group will help you have as much fun as possible as you zip through the North Georgia mountains.

  1. Choose a reputable operator. Before you make reservations take time to read reviews online, ask the operator any safety questions you may have, and ensure the operator is fully insured.  
  2. Wear all safety equipment provided and ensure that the harness is fitted correctly. Ask your group’s guide to double-check that all of your gear fits properly and is in full working order.
  3. Never use any personal equipment on the zip line.
  4. Pay careful attention to the pre-ride instructions from the guide. Ask any questions you may have about safe riding procedures and braking methods.
  5. Carefully follow the limits the operator has in place for the age and weight of a rider.
  6. Dress appropriately for your zip-line tour. Socks and closed-toe shoes are recommended as well as full-length pants or long shorts. If you have long hair, tie it back and remove any loose jewelry.
  7. Don’t force anyone to ride the zip line if they are uncomfortable or frightened, especially children. Scared or crying children risk their safety as well as the safety of the tour guides.
  8. If any equipment you see on tour looks damaged or unsafe, don’t ride. Report what you’ve seen to the guide so repairs or adjustments can be made.

Photo Courtesy of Allison M. Miller

Local Zip Line Operators

North Georgia Canopy

Choose the excursion that suits you best from three fun options at North Georgia Canopy Tours. The Adventure Tour involves over three hours of zipping across twelve different lines, three nature walks, two sky bridges, incredible views of northern Georgia and the North Oconee River, as well as a rappel. The end of your trip will include a super-fast 695-foot dual zip across Hilltop Pond. The Premium Adventure Tour involves all of the fun of the Adventure Tour but allows you to take the experience home with you as your excursion will be photographed and videoed. For those with a little less time to spare, a shorter Sky Bridge Tour may be the best option. But don’t worry – you will still be able to have plenty of fun on nine zip lines, two sky bridges, two nature walks, and the big zip over Hilltop Pond.

This tour company’s zip-lining adventures are full of non-stop fun. You’ll find North Georgia Canopy Tours in Lula just a short drive from your Georgia getaways, and a mountain cabin. Situated on 34 beautiful acres on the North Oconee River, tours are available year-round during daylight hours.

Make sure to check the specific times of each day’s first tour on the website. North Georgia Canopy Tours offers two primary zip-lining tours.

Sunburst Stables

Sunburst Stables is another hot spot for those staying in a lush cabin rental in Helen GA. Located just moments away from your vacation rental door, the stables offer much more than just horseback riding. You will find that the zip-line tours available here will provide thrills for your entire group. At Sunburst, visitors receive their training with a more “hands-on” approach. And, with dueling zip lines you can race a friend to the bottom to end your tour. But pick your line carefully; one of the dueling lines zips to the base through the fountain of fun, and the other stays dry!

The first 400-foot “Sea Leg” zip-line is designed to show new riders the ropes and is used to instruct them on the dos and don’ts of a canopy tour. Next, you’ll set out on the Sawmill zipline which will take you to the only cave zip-line tour in the horseback riding area. A 700-foot line takes visitors to the entrance of a gold mining cave and allows them to ride 200 feet through darkness instead of a walking cave tour. You’ll enjoy gorgeous valley views and fresh mountain air before finally making your big splash in a pond at the end of your journey.

Blue Ridge Canopy Adventures

If you’re looking for a true canopy zip-lining experience, you don’t want to miss the Blue Ridge Canopy Adventure. This adventure spans a mountainside as you zip through the layers of trees and eventually to the forest floor. Choose from thirteen different zip-line tours from 150 to 1,000 feet long and seven tours from 150 to 550 feet long. Check out Blue Ridge Canopy, and you be judged on the best one for you!

Zip ‘N Time at Nacoochee Outdoor Adventures

What do you get when you combine the excitement of a zip line with a little bit of local history? A one-of-a-kind adventure! Zip in Time at Nacoochee Outdoor Adventures creatively combines the local landscape with historical stories of the North Georgia mountains to provide an educational and fun zip-line tour!

Conveniently located in the Nacoochee-Sautee Valley, Zip N Time offers fun and affordable adventures for the entire family.

The zip-lining tours provided by Zip N Time are unlike any other in the mountains of North Georgia. More than just a trip down a zip line, the tours expose visitors to North Georgia’s history. The ACCT-certified guides will take you on a journey through time during your zip-line tour. Zip N Time has several different tour options, each offering a unique take on the zip-lining experience. Some favorites include the Moonshine Canopy Tour, Goldmine Canopy Tour, Big Zip Intimidator, and the Big Bear Canopy.

There are the top five zip-line locations we recommend when taking your Helen Ga cabin rental getaway.  Which of these zip-lining tours sounds like the best fit for you and your family?

Zip Your Way Into A Cabin Rental In Helen, Georgia

Image courtesy of Cedar Creek Cabin Rentals

A day out zip-lining, and you and your crew will find yourself exhausted. Make the trip to the bed a wonderful one. In fact, you could hit the hot tub before laying down in the comfortable beds of our cabins. Got it? Click here to view all of our cabins in Helen, GA. You’ll be rejuvenated by the provided luxury for your next activity in north Georgia.

Explore Things to Do Articles & Resources 

We’ve written several articles to help you plan the best romantic getaway in north Georgia. Explore our things to do hub, or visit the individual resources below.

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