A zip-line, zip line, zip-wire, or flying fox is a pulley suspended on a cable, usually made of stainless steel, mounted on a slope. It is designed to enable cargo or a person propelled by gravity to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by holding on to, or being attached to, the freely moving pulley. It has been described as essentially a Tyrolean traverse that engages gravity to assist its speed of movement. Its use is not confined to adventure sport, recreation, or tourism, although modern-day usage tends to favor those meanings.
Safety :
There are certain precautions that can be taken. Riders are physically attached to the cable by a harness which attaches to a removable trolley. A helmet is required on almost all courses of any size. All zip-line cables have some degree of sag, so the proper tensioning of a cable is important and allows tuning the ride of a zip-line.
Longest :
The world's longest zip-line as of 31 January 2018 is the 'Jebel Jais Flight' from one of the peaks of the Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, with a single unbroken span of 2,831.88 metres (9,290.9 ft). The ride has been closed pending the outcome into an investigation into the crash of an Agusta 139 rescue helicopter on 29 December 2018, killing all on board, thought to have clipped one of the cables.
The "Parque de Aventura Barrancas del Cobre" at 2,545 m (8,350 ft) in Copper Canyon, Mexico, was bumped to second place,[32] with "El Monstruo" at Orocovis in Puerto Rico coming in third, at 2,530 m (8,300 ft).
The Skywire at Bluewater in Kent is the longest in England at 725 metres (2,379 ft). The longest zip-line in Europe, at just over 1,600 metres (5,200 ft), is the Zip World Bethesda line in Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda, Wales. The Zip World Bethesda line also holds the record for being the fastest Zip-Line in the world.
Popular Places For Zip Line
1. San Vigilio di Marebbe, Kronplatz, Italy
Kronplatz, in Italy is a beautiful place to take a zipline through the snowy Alpine peaks of the Italian Dolomites. This holiday region is a favourite destination for vacationers in both winter and summer. There, you can find activities like skiing, hiking, trail running, or even via ferrata, which was invented in this region a century ago!
This zipline adventure in San Vigilio di Marebbe takes you through a circuit of 10 different zip lines for over 3200 meters in length. Dangling at a height of over 100 meters high, the longest ride will be 700 metres long. Kronplatz zipline is a super fun way to see all of Puster Valley and the exquisite ski resorts in the Tyrol mountain region.
Whether you like the mountains in Summer or during the off-season (the park is open from April till the end of October), San Vigilio is the perfect place to have fun with your family or friends in the Dolomites
This activity will cost €69 per person for full access to the ziplines.
2. Table Mountain Zipline, Cape Town, South Africa
Strap into a harness, and step off the platform for a spectacular zip line in our next destination, Cape Town South Africa. Quite simply, zip lining is the ideal way to discover the best views of Cape Town, you will see the Kogelberg mountains or the mythical Table mountains which border the districts of the city.
Stunning Canopy Cape Town Tour ziplines are located deep into the South African mountains, in the Kogelberg UNESCO World Heritage Site. These ziplines will take you gliding through Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. In Cape Town’s Nature reserve, peaks reach altitudes of 500 to 1590 meters high. This adventure will take you about 4 hours to enjoy the views all around you.
This activity will cost 895 ZAR per person
If you would like to stay closer to the city center, The Silvermist Estate zipline adventure in Cape Town is full of amazing things to see. It includes the famous Table Mountain Park, and the many beaches that line that coast. The guides will take you along the peninsula, and up into the hills of Table Top mountain in an off-road 4X4 vehicle. From there you’ll ride through a series of 12 zipline platforms, one of which is over 155 meters high! You can also check out this video of Ziplining in Cape Town to get an idea of the beauty Cape Town holds.
It will cost 600 ZAR per person
3. Bovec Zipline, Slovenia
The next location on this list is the relatively unknown Eastern-European paradise of Bovec, Slovenia. Adrenaline junkies rejoice- Bovec is home to one of the biggest zipline parks in all Central Europe, with two zipline options to choose from.
The first is the Bovec Zipline in Učja valley. Here you can ride 10 ziplines of varying lengths (250 – 600 meters) stretched over the Učja canyon. Delight in panoramic views of Soča valley and Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak. You will be able to have an exceptional view of the Triglav Canyon, the highest peak of Slovenia.
For this zipline circuit, it will cost €50 per person.
The second zipline is located at Mt. Kanin in Krnica valley, Slovenia. This Mt. Kanin zipline adventure extends between two giant peaks- Mt. Kanin and Mt. Rombon. Here you will fly at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour!
Tethered 1300 meters above sea level, this Slovenian zipline adventure will take you soaring over Bovec and through the Julian Alps. Amazingly, you’ll get to zip five times each for a length of 500-700 meters.
This circuit will cost €55 per person
4. Puerto Plata Zipline, Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata, in the northern part of the Dominican Republic, is a tropical paradise waiting to be explored. If you’re tired of lying on beaches and want to add a little spice to your day, there’s nothing more fun than taking this Puerta Plata zip line excursion.
Starting at the Monkey Jungle, you’ll sail through El Choco National Park and see the epic views of the Caribbean ocean. You will cross over 7 ziplines, 2 suspension bridges, and will even be challenged to make a 53-foot jump! From up there, you will see everything!
At the end of your adventure, you will have glided over 2 kilometres of zipline! To cool down a bit, you will be taken to the Monkey Jungle where you will live unforgettable moments with the animals!
It will cost US$90 per person, transportation from your hotel is included
5. Victoria Falls Zipline, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is next on the list. What could be more breathtaking than gliding by one of the most stunning waterfalls on the planet at speeds of up to 106 kilometers per hour? We’re taking you to Victoria Falls: a legendary location, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Located above the Zambezi River, the Victoria Falls are a part of the most beautiful places on earth. They are over a kilometre and a half long, and reach a height of over 100 metres, with a flow rate of up to several thousand cubic meters per second. This Victoria Falls zip line adventure lets you fly for over 425 meters, at 120 meters up in the air. Glide high above the sparkling Zambezi waters, flowing down below in the Batoka Gorge.
For US$51 per person, this zipline of the “flying fox” type (where you are laying down) gives you a view of the giant falls and colossal drop that can be nerve-racking. But you can rest easy knowing these experienced guides are backed with a 100% safety record!
Mosjøen Zipline, Helgeland, Norway
The next location on the list of the 13 most amazing ziplines in the world is in Scandinavia, in Mosjøen, Norway. Ziplining in Mosjøen is a unique Nordic adventure that takes you through the stunning mountains of Norway. Mosjøen means ‘seaside’ in old Norwegian and is a medieval Viking farmland first established in 1600.
Mosjøen’s cliffs offer a ziplining activity down 700 meters from Storfjellet. Strapped into your harness, you’ll glide over Vefsna River, Sjøgata street, and the Helgeland region. The zipline ends in the beautiful gardens of Fru Haugan’s Hotel.
This Scandinavian zipline is located midway between Trondheim and Bodo, and is definitely an adventure not to be missed when visiting Norway!
To go on a zipline ride in Mosjøen, it will cost 790NOK per person.
Tri Brata Beach Zipline, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Many vacationers travel to Dubrovnik in Croatia to party and swim in its perfect Mediterranean Sea. The gorgeous beaches here are also alluring for travelers. And Dubrovnik’s zipline, just 5 km north of Dubrovnik City Center, is a hidden treasure just waiting to be discovered by adventurers.
This Mediterranean seaside zipline takes you over the cliffs of Tri Brata Beach in Vrbica, Dubrovnik. You will dangle 60 meters above the white sandy beaches as you glide along the Croatian coastline.
Along the way, you can see the clear turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, and will be able to stop to jump off cliffs. Your zipline will take you zigzagging across the coastline stretching for over 250 meters. You can also choose to take a zip line at sunset in Dubrovnik for a romantic adventure for two!
Toledo Zipline, Spain
The 9th location on this list of the 13 most amazing ziplines in the world is Toledo, Spain. This amazing city is just 70 kilometers southwest of Madrid and is home to Europe’s longest urban zipline.
This Toledo, Spain zipline activity takes you on an adventure through one of Spain’s oldest cities. Running over 180 meters through the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, the zip lines run parallel to the San Martin bridge and let you soar across the Tajo river.
Once you met with your instructor, you will be equipped and ready to fly off. You will even be able to get some souvenir photos at the end! Who doesn’t dream about seeing the Saint-Martin bridge and about flying above the authentic city of Toledo?
For this ride on the longest urban zipline, it will only cost €12 per person!