If you’re planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains and trying to figure out which zipline tour is actually worth your time, we get it. Gatlinburg has no shortage of options, and it can feel overwhelming sorting through them. Here’s our honest take: not all zipline tours are created equal. (We’re a little biased, obviously, but stick with us.)
CLIMB Works has been operating in the Great Smoky Mountains for over 12 years, right across the street from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In that time, we’ve built our own braking systems, designed our own structural elements, and created a zipline experience that consistently ranks as the #1 rated zipline in Tennessee. Here’s what sets us apart.
It’s 11 Adventures, Not Just a Zipline
Most people searching for a “zipline near Gatlinburg” are picturing one line, one ride, done. Our Mountaintop Zipline Tour is something different entirely.
Your adventure starts with a scenic 6-passenger UTV ride up the mountain, which gains 500 feet of elevation over a rugged 1.5-mile forest trail. From there, you’ll move through 6 dual-line ziplines (yes, side-by-side, so you can race your travel partner), cross suspension skybridges high above the forest floor, and finish with a controlled rappel off the final platform. Your feet won’t touch the ground for roughly 2 hours.
The whole thing is surrounded on three sides by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with 360-degree panoramic views from each platform. It’s the kind of view that makes people forget they were nervous in the first place.
The Guides Are the Secret Sauce
Read through our Google reviews and one pattern jumps out immediately: people aren’t just talking about the views. They’re talking about guides named Slick, Beau, CC, Sylvi — real people who made their trip.
Every tour is led by three highly-trained guides. Their job isn’t just to keep you safe (though they’re excellent at that), it’s to get you from “I’m terrified” to “When can I come back?” They’ll educate you about the ecosystem and local history along the way, cheer on the first-timers, and have you laughing before you even reach the first platform. By the end of the tour, most groups are exchanging sweaty hugs like they’ve known each other for years.
No hand-braking required. No dragging yourself across cables. The course design and our custom braking systems take care of the technical stuff. All you have to do is show up and go.
Built for the 95% (Including You)
We didn’t build CLIMB Works for hardcore outdoor athletes. We built it for everyone else: the family from Georgia on their annual Smokies trip, the couple celebrating an anniversary, the nervous first-timer who has never done anything like this before.
CLIMB is actually an acronym: Challenge, Learn, Inspire, Master, Believe. Those five things aren’t marketing language, they’re the reason every guide shows up to work the way they do. The goal is that everyone who rides our lines leaves feeling more confident than when they arrived.
The tour is open year-round, rain or shine. (The Smoky Mountain ecosystem honestly comes alive in the rain, and ponchos are available if you need them.) Guests must be at least 5 years old, making it a genuinely accessible adventure for most families.
What to Know Before You Book a Gatlinburg Zipline Tour
A few practical details worth knowing:
• Tours run approximately 2 hours start to finish
• Weight limit: 250 lbs (or 270 lbs if you’re 5’10″ or under); maximum height 6’8″
• Closed-toe shoes required (no Chacos or Five Fingers)
• Small lockers on-site for keys and essentials
• Photo packages available for purchase
• We’re open Monday–Saturday; closed Sundays
If you’re road-tripping up from Atlanta, Nashville, or Charlotte, we’re a quick drive from downtown Gatlinburg. One piece of local advice: skip Pigeon Forge Parkway during peak hours and come in through Wears Valley Road instead. The drive is prettier and you’ll actually enjoy getting here.
Ready to See the Smokies From a Different Angle?
There’s a reason CLIMB Works has been the #1 rated zipline in Tennessee for 12 consecutive years. We’re not going to oversell it, come see for yourself. Book your Gatlinburg zipline tour online, or give us a call at (865) 325-8116 with any questions.
We’ll see you on the mountain.