Ziplines
Fly through the trees in the Pisgah National Forest and become one with nature.
Book a TripA Playground In The Trees
Come explore the great outdoors from the treetops in a peaceful Madison County cove, just outside Asheville, NC. Ziplining is the perfect activity to experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains with your friends and family. Our ten-line zipline canopy tour takes you through a forest of native trees and plants, and offers picturesque mountain views.
Trip Details
$95/person
Length varies. Plan for 2-3 hours on the course.
March – October; Reservations required.
1-person minimum, we can accommodate large groups.
Moderate; Must be comfortable with heights, walk on uneven terrain.
No mandatory minimum age, all participants must meet the minimum weight requirement. Additionally, children under the age of 14 must be actively accompanied by an adult.
You must be between 70 and 250 pounds – no exceptions. All participants will be discreetly weighed prior to the trip.
All zipline and safety equipment.
Any medication that you may need immediate access to while on the trip (e.g., asthma inhaler, epipen or diabetic glucose).
Otherwise we ask that you do not bring anything with you, as items dropped from the course cannot be retrieved.
We will provide a secure place for you to store your keys while on the trip. Additionally, we will offer a water break during your trip. If you wear glasses we suggest a strap for them (these can be bought in the store if you don’t have one).
Also, if you would like to bring a small camera please make sure you have a strap for it. Snacks prior to, or after your adventure. No food will be on the trip.
Animals to the outpost.
Valuables or anything else that you would mind having lost, or broken.
Wear layered, loose, comfortable clothing that is not bulky and closed toe shoes. See FAQ below for more details.
We operate rain or shine so please dress for the weather. We will however cancel trips in severe weather such as lightning or high winds.
Our guides are providing a professional service to you, your family, or your group. All of your guides are highly trained and depend on tips as part of their salary. A good rule of thumb is to tip your guide as you would a server in a restaurant, 15-20% of the trip, but of course any tipping is at your own discretion. Gratuity is deeply appreciated.
Meet at the Marshall Zipline Outpost
The check-in for French Broad Adventures zipline trips is at our Marshall Outpost, in the lower parking lot located 12 Good Adventures Lane Marshall, NC 28753. You will see a tall tower with a climbing wall on the side, head up the stairs to adventure.
Please note we do not recommend using ride sharing services (Uber, Lyft, etc) to get to our main outpost in Marshall for your rafting or ziplining trips. Though it is close to Asheville (about 30 minutes away) it is a quiet, rural area and return rides can be very hard to find. Please plan on driving or having a dedicated ride to your adventure. If you have questions, please call us.
What is Ziplining?
Ziplining at French Broad Adventures is a canopy tour course with a series of ten lines from tree top to tree top on a fixed cable and pulley system. Our zipline canopy tours take you through lush green forests and are surrounded by stunning mountain views. We value the great outdoors and want everyone who visits to experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our qualified staff will explain the basic techniques and safety instructions for your treetop canopy adventure and outfit you in state-of-the art gear for your trip. Then we’ll take you for a scenic and entertaining ride up on our UTVs up to the top of the mountain where the zipline tour begins!
Zipline FAQs
10 SEPARATE LINES ranging in length from 75-1000 feet, totaling over one mile of cable!
100 foot long bridge/canopy walkway that leads to our treehouse, and you’ll love it.
Speaking of, we have the only treehouse on a zipline canopy tour anywhere around! A truly unique experience.
Your safety is our #1 priority. Please read our full zipline safety practices and accreditations.
Zipline Canopy Tour trips are available from March through October. If you don’t see availability online just give us a call.
YES! Because this is a guided trip, we strongly encourage making a reservation so we can have the appropriate staffing for the day. If you are planning to come between early June and mid-August we recommend making your reservation early because our peak season trips fill up quickly.
You will be meeting at our main outpost at 12 good Adventures Lane Marshall, NC 28753, 30 minutes prior to your trip time. When you arrive, you will park at the bottom parking lot, you will see a large tower with a deck and climbing wall on the side. Park your vehicle and walk up the stairs to the check-in office, and our guides will get you oriented.
On the day of your trip, please arrive at the designated outpost 30 minutes prior to your trip time. Check in at the store to complete your waivers and get geared up for your trip. Lock everything in your car and your lead guide will collect your car keys so that we can keep them safe in the store during your trip.
At the outpost our qualified staff will outfit you in state-of-the art gear for your trip. Next, we’ll take you for a scenic and entertaining ride up the mountain on our UTVs. There we will lead you through a “ground school” where we will teach you the basic techniques and safety instructions needed to enjoy your zip trip. Then we’ll head over to our first zipline where your zip guides will clip you in and guide you along from tree-to-tree, assisting you every step of the way. Your trip will conclude at the base of the mountain approximately two and a half hours later, where you can look at your photos and buy souvenirs to commemorate your adventure.
*All trips leave on time. If you are late for your trip French Broad Adventures will do its’ best to accommodate you on another trip. Otherwise, we will have to reschedule your trip for another day. Additional fees will apply.
Safety is our first priority at French Broad Adventures. Our course has been verified by professional vendor members (PVM) of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) to meet or exceed ACCT Standards for Design, Performance and Inspection for zipline canopy tours. It has been built by leading industry professionals utilizing the latest in safety systems. All aspects of the course design include redundant safety features and are inspected regularly. Our operational procedures are also reviewed by a PVM to meet or exceed the ACCT Operation Standards. You will be in a full-body harness and clipped to the system at all times. Your guides all have extensive training and will be there every step of the way to be certain that your trip runs smoothly, so relax and have fun!
For everyone’s safety, we do not allow anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol to go on any of our trips. No refunds will be made.
Because you will be in a wilderness setting where access to definitive care takes longer than normal and cell service is minimal, we do not recommend that folks participate if they have an existing medical condition that could require urgent care. If you need any fast-acting medications such as an EpiPen, diabetic glucose, or an asthma inhaler it is imperative that you bring them along on your trip.
If you are intensely afraid of heights a zipline trip may not be for you. However, if you are just “a little hesitant” in high places you may be pleasantly surprised at how much fun you’ll have. Many people say that they feel so secure on the course that they are able to overcome their fears. You will be in a full-body harness attached to a safety system at all times. Zipping is more about moving laterally from tree-to-tree, with only a very gradual decline in height, and lots of beautiful scenery to make you smile along the way.
Not necessarily, but familiarity with climbing, ropes, or rappelling (even if it was at a camp, climbing gym, or challenge course) may help you feel more comfortable with the activity.
First-timers with a sense of adventure are always welcome, and of course, your Guides will give you a demonstration and safety briefing prior to the start of your zipline trip and will assist you throughout the day if you have any questions.
Yes. Being outdoors is always a great family activity! If you have younger family members that want to participate, we recommend our climbing wall, whitewater rafting, or calm water trips.
Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather, we suggest bringing multiple layers on colder days. As a general rule thinner and less bulky clothing is preferred as loose or thick clothing can interfere with safety equipment. Close-toed shoes with a secure backing (so they won’t fall off your feet) ARE REQUIRED.
Every participant will be wearing a full-body harness that wraps around the legs and goes over the shoulders. Although a tee shirt or tank top is totally fine, a shirt with a collar may be more comfortable as it offers some protection from the possibility of the shoulder straps rubbing on your neck. Longer shorts or light pants are recommended, and we suggest guests refrain from wearing short shorts, as they tend to bunch up in the harness leg straps.
Yes, so smile pretty while in the trees (as if you could help it). One of our photographers will be on the course to take your picture from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. When you get back to the outpost after your trip, you can view your photos on the computers in the store. Photos that you purchase will be sent to you immediately via email and/or text, and can also be viewed and purchased online after you get home if you don’t have time to look after your trip.
We offer a 10% discount to groups of 10 or more people. We also offer discounts to active military personnel and AAA members. Additionally, we offer discounts when zipline and rafting or canyoneering trips are booked together, as well as packages with other area attractions. Please see our packages page for more information.
We offer trips to groups of all sizes, and offer a 10% discount for groups of ten or more people. One payment in full for the entire group is required at the time of booking. Pre-order your group photographs for a discount. Get more group package information here. Don’t forget to download your group’s zipline waiver.
Call our reservation line for more information or to request a group information packet: 800-570-7238.
French Broad Adventures requires all guests to sign a waiver. Please download the waiver and fill out and bring with you at the time of your trip. (You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the waivers from our website). You can also complete the waiver form at the outpost on the day of your trip, but please allow extra time for this.
Download waiver
FBA makes every reasonable effort to ensure a fun zipline trip and minimize risk wherever possible. However, there are certain conditions in outdoor adventures that are beyond our control. All guests are required to sign a waiver so as to be aware of those inherent risks, and participate at their own discretion. And remember, follow all of your guide’s instructions, because safety starts with you!
Deposits are refundable with a call to our office with a minimum three day (72 hours) notice. Any cancellations under three days to trip time will result in forfeit of trip cost. Trips booked under three days in advance are not eligible for refunds. French Broad Rafting whitewater rafting trips go rain or shine, 7 days a week, March through October. If you need to reschedule your trip within three days to trip time, a $50 rescheduling fee will apply. Contact us with any questions about Cancellations.
Participation Requirements
Ziplining is an adventure sport that takes place in the great outdoors. You are getting to go off the beaten path where most tourists, and even locals, will never go. As such, access to cellular service and modern communication is limited – but won’t it be great to get a break from a ringing phone?!
Additionally, access to definitive medical care is delayed when you are in the backcountry, so it is important that you be honest with yourself about your physical abilities and medical conditions. Here are the Participant Requirements we have set forth to reduce the risk to you and the rest of your group on the day of your trip:
Physical Fitness
A good indicator that you are physically fit enough for ziplining is that you can comfortably walk 3 miles unassisted on a trail carrying a light pack, comfortably hike on uphill and downhill slopes, can climb or descend 5 flights of stairs, and can climb a ladder with ease.
Comfort with Heights
Participants must be comfortable at height. Rappelling or ropes experience is not required, but it is helpful. First-timers with a sense of adventure are always welcome.
Existing Medical Conditions
You cannot participate if you have an existing medical condition that could require urgent care (such as major heart problems or seizure disorders) or if you have a condition that could jeopardize your or another participant’s safety. We also do not recommend that you participate if you are pregnant or have significant musculoskeletal problems – please seek the advice of your physician before booking your trip. If you need any fast-acting medications such as an EpiPen, diabetic glucose, or an asthma inhaler it is imperative that you bring them along on your trip and inform your Guides.
Alcohol/Drug Use
You cannot participate if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that could impair you in any way.
Photos
What Our Guests Say
“An amazing Zipline experience. This is definitely the place you want to come to. Only 30 min from Asheville. Guides were the best and the attention to detail and safety unmatched. We will be back”
Ryan G.
“Visited with my husband and our four teenagers for ziplining and rafting – we had so much fun! Maddy and Tay-Tay were our zip-lining guides. They were with us the whole time and made it all the more enjoyable. My youngest was a bit nervous about zipping but they put them at ease.”
Melissa T.
“It’s the best!! They are great must go!”
James J.